SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
FlixTrain is seeking a Director of Operations & Safety to lead the operational heart of Germany's largest private long-distance rail operator. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will build and oversee all operational functions, establishing the leadership team and driving the company's operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own operational and production planning, shift scheduling, and personnel deployment to ensure safe, reliable, and punctual train service
- Lead the control center (Leitstelle) managing real-time operations, incident management, personnel disposition, and operational decision-making under all conditions
- Jointly oversee railway safety with the Safety Manager, ensuring regulatory compliance, safety culture, and management of safety teams and operational controllers
- Ensure fleet availability and disposition in close collaboration with maintenance partners
- Define and continuously optimize service standards and operational quality, including cleanliness, waste management, and customer experience
- Manage operational partners and subcontractors, develop unified standards with partner rail operators, optimize interfaces, and drive process excellence
- Define requirements for software development, automation, and digitalization of workflows; harmonize the software landscape for usability across all functions
- Own the operational budget and key performance indicators including reliability, safety, punctuality, cleanliness, shift staffing, and fleet availability
You will work in a trust-based environment with result-oriented measurement, hybrid flexibility (3 days office, 2 days remote), and direct influence on building Germany's largest private rail operator.
Requirements:
- Approximately 10 years of professional experience with demonstrated responsibility and leadership capability
- Essential: Railway industry background with operational understanding of dispatch and planning
- Leadership experience in operational functions and proven track record building teams and structures
- Fluent German (business proficiency)
- Preferred: Hands-on railway training from the ground up, followed by progression through consulting or operational leadership roles
- Desirable: Experience scaling operations in high-growth environments, railway safety management systems (SMS) background, fleet management experience
- Entrepreneurial mindset with passion for building structures, processes, and optimization
