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We are currently seeking an experienced Competence Management System (CMS) Manager to support a major rail organisation in developing, implementing and continually improving its competence management framework.

This is a senior, safety-focused position responsible for ensuring employees and contractors undertaking Safety Critical and Performance Critical activities are appropriately trained, assessed, verified and competent.

Key ResponsibilitiesLead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Competence Management System.Develop and maintain competence frameworks, procedures, role/task analyses and competence specifications.Oversee training needs analysis, assessments, verification and competence records.Ensure competence arrangements meet railway safety, regulatory and audit requirements.Coordinate competence assurance for technical experts, employees and contractors.Manage CMS data, reporting, system administration and documentation.Support internal and external audits and manage corrective actions.Work closely with Safety, Operations, Maintenance, HR, technical teams, training providers and contractors.Lead workshops and working groups relating to training and competence.Identify and escalate competence risks that could impact railway safety or operational performance. Candidate RequirementsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Rail/Transportation, Safety Management, Training & Competence Management, Human Factors, L&D or a related technical discipline.Minimum 10 years' relevant experience within rail, transport, safety, operations, maintenance, competence management, training assurance or regulatory compliance.Strong experience working with safety-critical and/or performance-critical roles.Demonstrable experience developing, implementing or assuring competence management frameworks.Experience with role/task analysis, training needs analysis, competence assessments, audits/verification and competence records.Strong understanding of railway safety management and competence assurance.Experience working with senior stakeholders, regulators, contractors and training providers.Assessor, Internal Quality Assurance/Verifier or Lead Auditor qualifications would be advantageous.The Ideal Profile

We're looking for someone with a genuine railway competence and safety assurance background, rather than a purely generalist training/L&D profile. You should be comfortable owning a competence framework, working with technical and operational teams, supporting regulatory requirements and ensuring competence can be clearly evidenced and audited.