Engagement Manager

To support the Director of People and Culture and the Head of Culture and Change in delivering the HR Strategy. To be the key lead on all aspects of Engagement to enhance colleagues experience of working at South Western Railway in order to increase levels of engagement and improve business performance. Your main responsibilities will be:

• To work with the Director of People and Culture and Head of Culture and Change, to develop and deliver an Employee Centered Strategy, defining the company's approach on maintaining high colleague engagement in a complex, highly unionised environment.
• Lead, manage and direct in all areas of colleague engagement.
• Responsible for attaining and maintaining Investors in People status with the aim of achieving Gold accreditation in People, Wellbeing and Apprenticeships.
• Take the lead on the management of the Your Voice process, from working to implement the colleague survey, to ensuring all line managers action plans are fit for purpose and implemented.
• Actively promote colleague engagement and any initiatives across all locations, including being responsible for the Colleague Activity Group and overseeing the uptake of this scheme.
• To work with the People and Culture Directorate to ensure any external award nominations are produced and submitted.
• Support as required with the Recognition Team., We all belong at SWR. FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.
We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive. We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details. If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.


• Experience and understanding of Investors in People.
• Previous experience of organising and implementing a colleague survey.
• Ability to make robust evidence-based decisions and to influence at all levels of the business.
• Ability to lead and build strong relationships managing complex and sometimes challenging conversations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellence writing, editing and verbal communications, with the ability to make dynamic group presentations.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Ability to work both individually and part of a team.
• Ability to prioritize their work schedule to meet deadlines.
Applicants who require a visa must have 6 months remaining at the time of their appointment.

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight. Join our team and help us continue to improve quality of life, by bringing people together to get the most out of life. SWR is part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier. FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport. About the job

Overline House is conveniently situated overlooking Southampton Central Station and is easily accessible by public transport. The station is very local to West Quay, a hub for retailers and restaurants, and provides an excellent link between London, Coastal areas and the Isle of Wight. Working pattern Working an average of 37 hours per week across 5 days, typically, Monday to Friday, office hours. The Reward In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:
• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Large range of exclusive retail offers
• Excellent pension scheme