Operational Safety and Standards Business Partner
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
16/10/2026
Advert End Date:
02/11/2026 09:00
Salary:
£34,000 to £49,000
Job Category:
Health and Safety
Employment Location:
Nexus Head Office, The Spark, Newcastle Helix, St James' Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5DE
Further Information
It's an exciting time to join our Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (QHSSE) team as we continue our transformation journey.
Reporting to the Operational Safety and Standards Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting the safe and compliant operation of our Metro and Ferry services.
As Operational Safety and Standards Business Partner, you will act as a key link between operational teams and the Operational Safety and Standards function, helping to ensure operational standards, procedures and controls are effectively communicated, understood and applied in practice. You will support our Rule Book, assurance activities, incident investigations, standards management, safety communications and the ongoing development of our Integrated Management System (IMS).
Working across a variety of operational and infrastructure environments, you'll help drive continuous improvement, support a positive safety culture and contribute to the safe delivery of services relied upon by thousands of customers every day.
Typical Day
- Supporting the implementation and application of operational safety standards, procedures and controls across the business.
- Acting as a key operational safety contact for allocated business areas and providing practical advice and guidance.
- Coordinating the development, review and maintenance of operational standards, procedures and Rule Book documentation.
- Managing document control activities, including version control, approvals and document reviews.
- Preparing, issuing and tracking safety bulletins, operational notices and standards updates.
- Supporting audits, inspections, monitoring and assurance activities.
- Supporting Close Call and incident investigations and ensuring learning is captured and shared.
- Assisting with risk assessments and providing safety input to operational change projects.
- Collecting, analysing and reporting operational safety performance data and trends.
- Developing engaging safety communications, briefings and awareness campaigns.
- Supporting governance meetings through the preparation of reports, dashboards and briefing materials.
- Helping to promote a positive, learning-focused and just safety culture across the organisation.
About You
You will be an enthusiastic safety professional or operational practitioner with experience within a safety-critical environment and a passion for helping others work safely.
You will have:
- A recognised safety qualification such as NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, NVQ Level 3, or equivalent experience gained within a front-line safety-critical operational role.
- Experience working within a high-hazard or safety-critical environment.
- Experience supporting the implementation and application of operational safety standards, procedures or controls.
- Experience undertaking or supporting audits, inspections and assurance activities.
- Experience supporting incident investigations and organisational learning activities.
- Knowledge of operational safety legislation, standards and risk management principles.
- A working knowledge of railway operational safety governance, including ROGS and the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical requirements clearly and practically.
- Good organisational skills with experience managing multiple priorities and competing demands
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships across a range of teams.
- Good IT skills with experience using Microsoft Office and systems for document control, reporting or data analysis.
- The ability to demonstrate behaviours that promote dignity, respect, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Who we are looking for
We're looking for someone who is passionate about operational safety and enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues across a diverse organisation.
You will be proactive, organised and confident in engaging with people at all levels. You'll enjoy solving problems, managing information and helping others understand how standards and procedures contribute to safe, reliable operations.
Most importantly, you'll be committed to supporting a positive safety culture and helping ensure our operational standards remain effective, practical and fit for purpose.
Our Team
You will join a diverse and knowledgeable QHSSE team that is passionate about protecting our colleagues, customers and communities.
Working closely with Operational Safety and Standards Managers, operational leaders and front-line colleagues, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the safe operation of the Metro and Ferry and develop your expertise within a professional safety environment.
About Us
We care for our communities, deliver with trust and accountability, and adapt with innovation. Every journey is designed to be sustainable, inclusive, and customer-focused because when we move forward together, we create a cleaner environment, a stronger economy, and a better future for all.
What we offer
- This is a Monday to Friday job
- You’ll work a 36-hour week
- You’ll be part of a generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme)
- 28 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays and time off for volunteering too
- Enjoy travelling for free in Tyne and Wear with our enhanced travel benefits for you and your family
- Free or discounted travel with Grand Central, LNER, Lumo, Northern Rail and TransPennine Express
- You will have the opportunity to contribute to a health cash plan that will contribute (and dependants if you have them) towards dental costs, optical, and lots more
- Access to our reward app with over 1000 plus high street discounts on groceries, holidays and days out
- We like to grow our own colleagues (not literally of course!), so when you’re ready for the next step in your career, we can help develop you
What to expect at interview
Our selection process includes a structured interview. Interviews will take place the week commencing 9 November 2026.
If you believe this is the role for you, please upload your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the essential criteria that are found in the Person Specification before 9am on Monday 2 November 2026.