Investigation Support Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Designated Competent Person (DCP), ensuring operational incidents and occupational safety events are investigated proportionately, with high-quality outputs that support organisational learning and risk reduction.
• Maintain records and databases of incidents and investigations, ensuring timely communication with relevant stakeholders
• Ensure 72-hour reviews are effectively chaired, facilitated and documented
• Lead or support high-potential and complex investigations as directed, ensuring objective, evidence-based and proportionate investigation standards
• Represent West Midlands Trains professionally in joint investigations and with external stakeholders, ensuring effective coordination and protection of organisational interests.
• Allocate investigations to appropriate managers and provide oversight, expert advice and support throughout
• Ensure investigation recommendations are escalated appropriately and are effectively implemented, monitored, and reviewed to reduce recurring risk.
• Support identification of recurring themes, systemic risks and emerging trends to inform safety improvement strategies and promote good practice. 
• Review external investigations and ensure transferable learning is identified, with support provided for effective implementation across the business.
• Work with the HSSE Data Manager to undertake statistical and trend analysis of incidents and causation
• Translate investigation outputs into clear learning for safety briefings and business forums.
• Work with others to develop and deliver coaching, guidance and structured investigation training to improve capability and consistency across the organisation as required
• Contribute to continuous improvement of investigation processes and standards.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the role.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Experience in a rail operating environment
• Knowledge of operational and investigation standards
• Experience conducting accident/incident investigation 
• Analytical capability to identify trends and systemic safety issues
• Ability to influence stakeholders and provide constructive challenge
• Understanding of rail safety governance and assurance frameworks
• Experience working across multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
• Experience with risk assessment methodologies

Job Benefits

• A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK.
• Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
• 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
• 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
• A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)- A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing
• Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
• A retail discount portal- offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.

About
London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway operate rail services across the Midlands, the Northwest and London, with Birmingham at the heart of our network. West Midlands Railway provides most of the local services across the region, offering direct connections to towns and cities including Redditch, Stratford‑upon‑Avon, Worcester, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Telford and Northampton. Our London Northwestern Railway brand serves the route between London and Liverpool via key locations such as Crewe, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Northampton. On 1st February 2026, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway entered public ownership and both services are now part of WM Trains Limited operated by DFTO. Our mission remains unchanged: to provide a safe, comfortable and reliable service for passengers across 235 miles of track and 150 stations, from London to Liverpool and Hereford to Lichfield. We expect over 80 million journeys to be made this year, that’s more than 1,252 services every day,  and we remain committed to delivering the rail experience our passengers expect.