RSSB has a fantastic opportunity for a suitably qualified candidate to support the shaping of the regulatory and standards landscape across GB rail as it continues to develop and evolve.  

As a Lead Legal and Regulatory Advisor, you will provide advice and expertise on rail safety and interoperability to RSSB's external customers and internal stakeholders. This role is offered on a full time, permanent basis (36 hours per week), with a great hybrid working pattern and flexiblity offered around our core hours. On the in-office days you will be based in the City of London. 

The Team: 

One of RSSB’s functions is to develop railway standards on behalf of the railway industry in Great Britain. Standards are an agreed way of doing something. They support the railway to function as a whole system, help manage risks, open markets, and reduce costs as the industry does not have to keep reinventing the wheel.

The Standards Management, Policy and Strategy team leads three workstreams to support the development of railway standards.

1. The ‘standards management’ workstream looks after and implements the governance arrangements for developing standards and monitors compliance. It also develops, manages and seeks continuous improvement of internal policies, processes and procedures.
2. The ‘standards delivery’ workstream leads on economic assessments and supports the development of business cases to change standards. It also provides technical expertise on regulatory policy to projects and cross-industry committees.
3. The ‘policy and strategy’ workstream sets the strategic direction for the future development of standards. Its expertise in regulatory policy helps influence changes to legislation related to standards. It works closely with industry bodies like the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

In this role you will support the team's standards delivery workstream. 

• Provide expert legal and regulatory advice on rail safety, interoperability and other relevant frameworks to RSSB’s customers and internal stakeholders, including the Standards Directorate and the national research, development and innovation programme.
• Lead end-to-end projects where the technical lead is the Standards Management, Policy and Strategy team.
• Actively engage with stakeholders from across the industry so RSSB’s outputs meet their needs, are of high quality, result in tangible benefits and are accepted by cross-industry groups and committees.
• Prepare and present legal and regulatory concepts to non-technical audiences in a way that engages, informs, and drives decision-making.
• Support the delivery of RSSB’s commercial work programme.
• Support the team in implementing the Rail Standards Strategy and delivering the RSSB’s Business Plan commitments to time, quality and budget.
• Provide direction, advice, and coaching to develop direct reports. Lead the development of competence across the Directorate in the knowledge, understanding, and application of legal and regulatory matters.

You will need to be a candidate who can evidence understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape and can research, absorb and analyse often complex legislative information from multiple sources. You will also need to  demonstrate the ability to disseminate appropriate, practical guidance out to a wider audience using methods that are engaging and impactful. Specific requirements include; 

Essential:

• A minimum of a 2:1 bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably with a legal component. 
• Experience in writing business cases or impact assessments and options identification and evaluation.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to apply them in the context of the railway system.
• Managing, leadership and coaching skills.
• Committed to proactively seeking opportunities to broaden your skills and experience. This includes quickly and independently grasping unfamiliar technical areas and being willing to learn from others.
• Able to see the bigger picture and think critically to define a problem before finding suitable solutions.
• Build positive working relationships with colleagues from other disciplines across the business that help everyone achieve goals and business objectives whilst appreciating others’ motives and concerns.
• Knowledge of, and ability to use the Microsoft Office 365 suite.
• Effective communication skills to share thoughts and ideas through methods appropriate to the audience, with experience in presenting complex technical subject areas at senior cross-industry groups and committees.
• Adapt and respond effectively when embracing new opportunities, change and in navigating uncertainty.
• Actively contribute as part of a team and work towards achieving team goals and outcomes.
• Take responsibility and demonstrate accountability in completing tasks and achieving objectives, actively seeking to resolve problems and identify opportunities.
• Committed to customer service and placing customer satisfaction at the heart of our success to ensure we deliver against our shared goals.
• Can work collaboratively within an evolving industry, gaining stakeholder confidence through understanding their goals and motivations and demonstrating credibility as an expert.
• Make timely, informed decisions taking account of the benefits and constraints involved.

Desirable

• Experience providing legal and regulatory advice and support within the rail industry.

We are regularly reviewing incoming applications throughout the advertising period. Suitable candidates will be invited to an initial telephone / teams interview to discuss motivations and to answer any questions you may have about the roleand the team. The next stage will then be a formal, face-to-face interview and assessment at the RSSB offices. 

We are committed to investing in our staff and offer formal and informal learning opportunities for development.

We value diversity and equal opportunities in employment and are committed to creating a workplace which is inclusive to everyone. As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we encourage candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, to apply for our jobs. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know in advance by emailing vacancies@RSSB.CO.UK Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at RSSB: Rail Safety and Standards Board Careers - VERCIDA

If you require any reasonable adjustments with respect to our selection process including information in an alternative format, please contact us at vacancies@rssb.co.uk

We understand the importance of work-life balance and we offer our staff the flexibility to work within our core hours and the option to vary their location between both the office and home. If you are looking for further flexibility, speak to us at interview stage so that we can consider your request.

We value our staff and we offer a competitive benefits package to ensure our staff can achieve their best throughout their journey with us. This includes 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); a holiday buy and sell scheme; private medical and dental cover; a season ticket loan and travel subsidy; access to a cycle to work scheme; volunteer leave; a performance related bonus and pension.