Compliance & Quality Manager
About the job
- Significant experience within rail, construction, engineering or infrastructure environments.
- Strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards.
- Experience managing RISQS accreditation and audit processes.
- Proven experience leading audits and managing corrective actions.
- Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Lead Auditor qualification.
- Experience working with Network Rail standards and assurance requirements.
- Experience supporting Principal Contractor duties.
- Familiarity with Sentinel and rail assurance systems.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Pragmatic, solution-focused and commercially aware approach.
- Confidence to provide independent challenge and assurance.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Lead and manage ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certification activities, ensuring ongoing compliance and successful external audits.
- Act as the primary point of contact for RISQS accreditation activities, audit preparation and corrective action management.
- Manage and maintain compliance with the organisation's Principal Contractor Licence and associated assurance requirements.
- Coordinate and lead client audits, inspections and assurance activities.
- Own, maintain and continuously improve the Integrated Management System (IMS).
- Ensure management systems remain aligned with legislative requirements, industry standards, client expectations and Arriva Group policies.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, quality manuals, forms and guidance documents.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and ensure requirements are effectively implemented across the business.
- Develop and deliver risk-based audit programmes, including internal, supplier, system and process audits.
- Plan and manage the annual audit schedule, ensuring actions are tracked through to completion.
- Lead investigations into non-conformances, root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Support operational teams in the development and delivery of Project Quality Management Plans.
- Ensure quality requirements are embedded throughout project delivery lifecycles.
- Lead supplier approval, review and audit processes to maintain compliance and quality standards.
- Monitor supplier performance and support the management of supply chain assurance risks.
- Develop and report on compliance and quality KPIs for senior leadership and governance reviews.
- Produce meaningful reporting on audit outcomes, compliance performance, emerging risks and improvement initiatives.
- Deliver training, briefings and awareness sessions to support a strong compliance and quality culture.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across quality, compliance, environmental and health and safety management systems.
- Support document control requirements and ensure management system documentation remains accurate and up to date.
- Travel to project sites and supplier locations as required.
About the company
Arriva operates bus, train, and other passenger transport services across 10 European countries through a network of local operators. Its systems coordinate timetables, routes, maintenance, and customer service to run public transit, with a focus on decarbonizing fleets and upgrading equipment. It differentiates itself with a long history of cross-border expansion, a pan-European footprint, and ownership by a private infrastructure investor. Its goal is to deliver reliable, accessible, and cleaner transport while growing services and reducing emissions under new ownership.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Sunderland, United Kingdom
Founded
1938
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Arriva acquired La Linea on 30 April 2026, doubling Veneto market share.
- Arriva announced £340 million UK bus renewal on 13 March 2026, refreshing nearly one-fifth of fleet.
- Arriva won Gelderland’s €2 billion contract and Czech rail awards, securing revenue through 2043.
What critics are saying
- Unite strikes hit Luton in April 2026 and North London in August 2026.
- Arriva lost Liverpool contracts in 2026, shrinking UK scale against Stagecoach and Go-Ahead.
- If December 2026 Dutch and Czech tenders slip, Arriva’s growth engine stalls abruptly.
What makes Arriva unique
- Arriva operates buses and trains across 11 European countries, spanning liberalised markets.
- Arriva’s ACE platform unified ticketing, journey planning, and real-time data across major UK operators.
- Arriva pairs depot electrification with zero-emission bus and train orders, backed by I Squared Capital.
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Benefits
Training Programs
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 1%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↑ 1%Passenger, a Masabi company, has launched a digital services platform for Arriva UK Bus, covering its seven bus operating companies outside London. The solution integrates mobile ticketing, data management, journey planning and real-time information into a single customer app and website. Arriva UK Bus is part of the Arriva Group, which delivers over 1.2 billion passenger journeys across 11 European countries annually. The new platform provides enhanced features including real-time bus locations, accessibility information, service updates and details on vehicle amenities like Wi-Fi and USB charging. The UK-built technology positions Arriva to manage operational challenges including franchising and multi-operator fare management. Passenger works with approximately 100 public transport authorities across the UK, facilitating over 100 million journey plans annually.
Arriva acquire RTS Infrastructure to enhance infrastructure and depot services. Industry news. Arriva, a prominent tra nsport operator, hassuccessfully finalised the acquisition of RTS Infrastructure, a UK-based firm that specialises in rail depot servicing and infrastructure construction. This strategic acquisition enables Arriva to extend its operations into the UK rail construction sector for the first time, thereby offering a wider array of services for rail operators and infrastructure managers. While the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, this move signifies a crucial advancement in Arriva's strategy to enhance its standing within the UK's rail industry. RTS Infrastructure, located in Leeds, is a well-established entity within the UK's rail network, delivering essential services such as platform upgrades, track work, and various other significant infrastructure projects. The company possesses a Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence, which permits it to undertake large-scale rail infrastructure projects throughout the UK. RTS Infrastructure has developed a robust client portfolio, including Network Rail, passenger train operators, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), all of which will now be integrated into Arriva's client network. Through the acquisition of RTS, Arriva not only gains access to these important relationships but also enriches its portfolio with extensive expertise in rail construction.
Arriva Group has today announced that it has concluded a deal to acquire RTS Infrastructure, marking its entry into the UK rail infrastructure Arriva Group has today announced that it has concluded a deal to acquire RTS Infrastructure, marking its entry into the UK rail infrastructure construction market.
Transport giant Arriva, based in Sunderland, reported revenues of €2.46 billion in 2024, the year it was acquired by US investors I Squared Capital for £1.4 billion. Operating profit was €127 million, with a pre-tax profit of €156 million. Capital investments totaled €285 million. Contract revenues were €1.76 billion, and passenger revenue was €665 million. The UK bus division had a turnover of €639 million, while the UK trains business reported €758 million in revenue.
Arriva continues to invest in sustainable travel solutions, such as zero-emission buses, electric and hybrid trains, and digital mobility solutions across Europe to deliver more connected, efficient, and environmentally responsible public transport.