Traincrew Programme Manager

BUSINESS FUNCTION:
Operations

SALARY:
Circa £66,000 per annum

ROLE TYPE:
Hybrid

LOCATION:

Leeds/York/Manchester

HOURS:

37 per week

Traincrew Programme Manager

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on. Behind every service that arrives on time, every customer journey that runs smoothly, and every timetable we deliver, there is a huge amount of planning, coordination and expertise happening behind the scenes.

As our Traincrew Programme Manager, you'll take ownership of one of the most important operational programmes in our business. This role sits at the heart of our Operational Readiness team and will shape how we plan, deploy and optimise traincrew across the network for years to come. You'll be responsible for turning strategy into action, bringing together workforce planning, training, rostering, and utilisation into one integrated programme that delivers real, measurable results.

This is a role with significant visibility and influence. You'll work closely with senior leaders across Northern and the wider rail industry, helping us build a sustainable traincrew model that improves performance, strengthens operational resilience and supports the future of rail in the North. If you enjoy solving complex challenges, bringing people together around a common goal, and leading change at scale, you'll find plenty to get stuck into here.

You'll lead the end-to-end delivery of Northern's Traincrew Programme, making sure multiple work streams come together as one clear, coordinated plan.

• Own the overall programme roadmap, ensuring priorities, dependencies and delivery milestones remain aligned.
• Translate strategic objectives into practical, achievable programmes of work.
• Build and lead programme governance, providing clear reporting, insight and assurance to senior stakeholders and executive leaders.
• Drive programme delivery across multiple functions including workforce planning, recruitment, training, rostering, and utilisation activity.
• Define, measure and realise programme benefits, ensuring improvements are reflected in day-to-day operational performance.
• Lead and influence stakeholders across all areas within Northern.
• Identify and manage programme risks, developing mitigation plans that keep delivery on track.
• Establish consistent delivery standards, governance frameworks and ways of working that continue long after the programme has been delivered.
• Lead specialist resources and create a high-performing culture focused on outcomes, accountability and continuous improvement.

Leading large-scale programmes, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering meaningful change – that's the foundation of this role.

We're looking for someone who can bring together complex moving parts and create clarity, momentum and results.

• Significant experience leading complex, cross-functional programmes in large operational environments.
• A track record of delivering strategic change and measurable business improvements.
• Strong programme management expertise, including governance, integration, benefits realisation and risk management.
• The confidence to engage with and influence senior leaders, including executive-level stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear decisions and actions.
• Experience managing competing priorities and navigating ambiguity while maintaining focus on outcomes.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to create alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience working with large budgets and financial targets.
• A collaborative approach and a genuine belief that the best results come from working together.

We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we'll always offer an interview.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob, there's a place for you here in the railway.

At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

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