Senior Manager, Network Operations

 Reference Number : 796 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $119 266 - $147 329

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 05/05/2025

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

Reporting to the Director, Network Operations & Railway Safety Governance, the incumbent directs VIA’s Corporate Operations Control Centre. The Senior Manager, Network Operations is responsible for a safe, reliable and timely passenger transportation service that complies with all regulatory requirements. In addition, he is a first point of reference and directs the logistics of VIA’s system-wide passenger service for over 550 trains weekly.

The Senior Manager manages the development of daily system-wide fleet utilization and cycling plans for locomotives and passenger cars. They ensure equipment availability meets Network Planning and Marketing demands, Special Train requests and Equipment Maintenance scheduled maintenance requirements.They also oversee and review train delay reporting daily to ensure proper assignment of responsibility to main stakeholders, and are responsible for the execution of the train schedule changes when required.

The incubent directs a staff of approximately 35 management employees and manages the administration and application of the Teamsters Conference Rail Canada (TCRC) and Unifor collective agreements governing locomotive engineers and on-board employees. In addition, oversees and approves all grievance interpretations to ensure consistency in VIA’s application of the collective agreements system wide.

The Senior Manager manages locomotive engineer (LE) and on-train services (OTS) crewing and ensures that all trains are staffed in accordance with operating rules, regulatory requirements while also respecting the provisions within the various applicable collective agreements and labour law requirements.

Finally, the incubent responds to all emergencies and security situations affecting VIA’s operations, buildings and personnel by gathering information and giving direction to Customer Experience, Transportation, and Equipment Maintenance management. Ensures all trains disruptions are handled in conformance with Operations Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and the Corporate Emergency Response Plan (ERP).

Responsibilities:

Operational

• Manage short term planning and activities related to transportation planning: Holiday operations (Christmas, Easter, Victoria Day, Thanksgiving, etc.) and change of schedule activities and work blocks;
• Manage efficiency of communications related to service disruptions and late trains to internal and external stakeholders including passengers;
• Monitor, review and coordinate activities related to Train Performance and  performs follow ups with internal and external stakeholders as required;
• Liaise and interface with other railways and internal departments to address and remedy the impediments to on-time-performance to ensure fluidity of the network, and ensures contract terms/expectations are in line with expectations.

Human Resources

• Manage activities related to: Workforce Planning, Performance Management such as set departmental objectives, review and follow-up, hold staff meetings, perform coaching and ensure Employee Engagement through action plans.

Business Continuity

• Manage activities related to business continuity and emergency preparedness: Staffing and manpower and succession planning, maintenance and testing of emergency measures organization, maintenance and testing of critical systems (telephones, IT infrastructure, Emergency Operations Centre and alternate OCC site).

Continuous Improvements

• Promote continuous improvement and seek internal stakeholder’s involvement such as Customer Experience, IT and Corporate Communications. Investigate and provide answers to Customer Relations complaints.

Requirements:

• University degree in Transportation, Business Administration, a College diploma in Transportation or related field or a combination of equivalent training and pertinent experience;
• 8 to 10 years of experience related to Transportation services and 5 years in a management capacity;
• Meets Corporate bilingualism requirements with solid written and verbal communication skill in both official languages.
• In-depth experience working in a unionized environment and knowledge of Collective Agreements application. More specifically, understanding of Teamsters Conference Rail Canada (TCRC) and Unifor collective agreements is a definite asset;
• Knowledge in VIA Rail system passenger train services and system geography is an asset;
• Must be technically savvy and capable of quickly learning/using a wide variety of technology systems, software’s and able to navigate complex computer systems.

Competencies:

• Effectively translates company vision/strategy into group’s goals;
• Assumes responsibility for making decisions, driving individual and group results;
• Demonstrates leadership and coaching skills, capable of inspiring employee commitment and motivation;
• Possesses strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills;
• Adapts well in a constantly changing environment and works well under pressure;
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and knows how to establish and maintain effective and harmonious relationships, with both internal and external partners;
• Encourages and acts as a role model regarding open dialogue, ensuring the corporate image is both respected and protected.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

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