Assistant Train Controller | Swindon | £31,500–£42,000 | Permanent
The Opportunity
If you're looking for an opportunity to build a career in operational control while playing a key role in the day-to-day running of a busy freight operation, this is the kind of position that offers valuable experience and genuine long-term development.
As part of a newly established Service Delivery Centre, you'll join a team responsible for coordinating and supporting freight operations across the South region. Bringing together planning, rostering, and control functions under one roof, the new operation is designed to deliver faster decision-making, greater operational oversight, and improved service performance.
This is more than an administrative support role. You'll work at the centre of a live operational environment, monitoring train movements, gathering critical information, updating operational systems, and ensuring Train Controllers have the accurate and timely information needed to make effective decisions.
You'll be part of a newly created operation where processes, standards, and ways of working are still evolving, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced operational professionals while contributing to the development of a high-performing control function.
Whether you're looking to build a career in rail operations or bringing experience from another operational environment, this role offers the opportunity to develop valuable control room expertise and become a key part of a team responsible for keeping freight services moving safely and efficiently.
Assistant Train Controller Responsibilities
Operational Monitoring: Tracking train movements and maintaining accurate real-time updates across operational systems.
Information Gathering: Collecting, collating, and communicating operational information to support effective decision-making.
Internal Coordination: Liaising with depots, operational teams, and colleagues across the Service Delivery Centre to share critical updates and maintain situational awareness.
Event Logging & Administration: Maintaining accurate records of operational events, incidents, communications, and service impacts.
Train Controller Support: Providing timely operational support and information to enable effective real-time control of freight services.
Ideal Assistant Train Controller
Operational Support Experience: Experience supporting busy operational environments, service delivery functions, coordination teams, or control room operations.
Strong IT & System Skills: Comfortable updating systems, maintaining records, and managing operational information with a high degree of accuracy.
Communication Skills: Able to deliver clear, concise, and accurate information across multiple stakeholders and operational teams.
Works Well Under Pressure: Capable of remaining organised, focused, and reliable within fast-paced operational environments where priorities can change quickly.
Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy and the ability to manage information effectively in a safety-critical environment.
Transferable Industry Experience: Relevant backgrounds may include emergency call handling, logistics or fleet coordination, transport operations, security operations centres, policing, first responder environments, utilities operations support, or similar operational coordination roles.
Location & Working Arrangements
Location: Swindon
Working Pattern: This role operates on a rotating shift pattern, providing 24/7 operational coverage as part of the Service Delivery Centre team.
Salary
Training Salary: £31,500
Qualified Salary: £42,000
About Ford & Stanley Group
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas – recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.
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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.
Ref: Assistant Train Controller
