Business Area Manager - Real Time Operations

How do you help make a difference?

As a Business Area Manager – Real Time Operations, you lead a portfolio of mission-critical applications that enable train operations, traffic management, incident management, security management and real-time decision making. You contribute to the operational heart of the Belgian railway system by ensuring the reliability, availability, quality and performance of existing services while driving the digital transformation of operational processes. You are responsible for the overall performance of your domain across strategy, delivery, budget, people management and stakeholder engagement, and you manage a group of Business Areas and multidisciplinary delivery teams of about 60 people.

What is your role at SNCB?

As a Business Area Manager – Real Time Operations, you will take on the following responsibilities:

• You lead, coach and support Business Area Leads and Team Leads within your domain; lead the Project Management Chapter to ensure OTOBOS project delivery; build a high-performing and collaborative organization; foster employee engagement, talent development and knowledge sharing; and drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and customer focus.

• You define and steer the strategic roadmap of your domain in alignment with business priorities; ensure successful delivery of projects, products and services across the portfolio; and balance operational stability with innovation and transformation initiatives.

• You manage a consolidated budget of approximately €10 million across CAPEX and OPEX; ensure the efficient allocation of financial and human resources; monitor financial performance; actively manage risks and opportunities; and support budget preparation, forecasting and long-term planning activities.

• You guarantee the availability, quality and performance of business-critical applications and services, and promote best practices in delivery, service management and governance.

• You act as a trusted partner for senior business stakeholders; support strategic decision-making by providing clear insights and recommendations; and represent the domain in governance bodies, steering committees and management forums.

• You identify, assess and mitigate risks across the portfolio; ensure transparency regarding delivery performance, budget, capacity and operational challenges; and contribute to strategic planning and organizational decision-making.

Why is this job a good fit for you?

• You hold a Master's degree or equivalent experience and have at least 8 years of relevant IT experience.

• You have proven experience managing teamleads and multidisciplinary teams, with strong coaching skills that foster engagement, talent development and knowledge sharing.

• You bring proven project management experience, strong portfolio and delivery management experience, and solid knowledge of project, product and service management practices.

• You have strong CAPEX/OPEX budget management experience and expertise in financial and workforce allocation, financial monitoring, budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning.

• It is a plus if you have managed application and product portfolios supporting train operations, traffic, incident and security management, and real-time decision making in business-critical or operational environments.

• You define and steer actionable strategic roadmaps and delivery plans aligned with business priorities and operational needs, balancing stability with innovation and transformation.

• You combine strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to manage complexity and competing priorities.

• You build trust and influence across operational teams and senior executives, with clear communication and strong stakeholder management, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.

• You lead change and continuous improvement, fostering accountability, collaboration and customer focus.

• You are fluent in English and Dutch or French, and understand the other national language.

Everyone is unique. That's why we believe it’s important that you can be yourself — it makes SNCB stronger. We therefore place great value on diversity and inclusion.

What can you expect from us?

Choosing Ypto at SNCB means choosing to contribute to the digital transformation of the Belgian railways. You will have a job with social impact and ample opportunity to make your own contribution. Alongside a healthy work-life balance and a competitive salary, we offer:

• Hybrid working, with a balanced weekly mix of office and remote work, combined with flexible hours.

• 35 days of annual leave.

• A mobility package with a company car (also available via our mobility plan) or alternative mobility choices, complemented by a public transport season ticket.

• A target bonus.

• A comprehensive insurance package, with hospitalisation and dental care for the whole family.

• Coverage of outpatient medical costs.

• Group insurance, including a supplementary pension (cafeteria plan).

• Meal vouchers & eco vouchers.

• Net allowances for hybrid working and an internet allowance.

Where will you be working?

You will work near Brussels-South station and join the Transport Operations Solutions team.

What’s next?

1. You apply online.

2. We take a close look at your CV and check whether it matches the profile you are looking for. We may call you briefly to ask about your motivation and experience.

3. We invite you for a first (online) HR interview where you can demonstrate your motivation, experience and expectations. In preparation, we will ask you to complete an online personality questionnaire.

4. If the first interview is positive, we invite you for a second technical interview in Brussels. This interview will be with the team, where we’ll discuss the role and how your skills align with the team’s needs.

5. If everything goes well, we will make you a contract offer.

6. You start your new job!

We reserve the right to adjust or pause this procedure if necessary. Our recruitment team will select the profiles that best match the job requirements to ensure an optimal fit.

Do you have any further questions?

Mail: ypto-recruitment@belgiantrain.be