Operations Director
Operations Director
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Job Description
Salary: Circa 120k per annum
Location: Leeds/York/Manchester
Operations Director
People come to Northern for trains they can rely on and stay for the chance to make a real difference to communities across the North. As Operations Director youll be at the heart of our mission to deliver a safe reliable service that gets people where they need to be every single day.
This is a leadership role with real impact. Youll be setting the pace direction and tone for how our train crew and control teams work together to meet ambitious performance targets while shaping the future of service delivery for years to come. From the boardroom to the station platform youll lead with clarity confidence and care making sure Northern is always one step ahead.
What youll be doing
- Leading inspiring and motivating teams to deliver our 90/2 performance target championing a collaborative and high-performing culture.
- Overseeing day-to-day operational delivery keeping services running smoothly safely and efficiently.
- Spotting opportunities for improvement and taking decisive action to boost performance.
- Collaborating across departments from Engineering to Service Planning to ensure alignment on both daily operations and longer-term goals.
- Using data forecasting and insight to anticipate issues before they arise rather than just reacting to them.
- Driving meaningful change while never losing sight of the here-and-now service delivery.
About you
Youll need three things to thrive in this role: people leadership precision and pace.
First youre someone who can engage and inspire at every level from the boardroom to the station platform. You know how to bring people with you and create a positive high-performing environment.
Second youve got an exceptional eye for detail. Spotting issues others might miss and acting on them quickly is second nature to you.
Finally you can shift gears quickly. Whether its long-term strategic planning or responding to urgent operational challenges youre quick to act and not afraid to make bold decisions when it counts.
A background in rail operations is essential along with senior leadership experience in complex operational environments. Youll need strong knowledge of railway geography infrastructure rules and regulations alongside proven experience in managing large teams and driving high performance.
Whats in it for you
At Northern we dont just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Heres a taste of what you can look forward to:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you your partner and your dependents on Northern services. Plus 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family lifestyle and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business youre in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. Thats why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern
Were more than just a train operator. Were the heartbeat of the North connecting communities creating opportunities and driving sustainable growth. With 2500 trains running daily were on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825 the first passenger train set off in the North of England after which rail quickly spread across the globe and this year were celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.
At Northern we dont just move people from A to B were building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if thats something you need. Were also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role well always offer an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
No matter your background experience or whether you call it a bap barm or cob theres a place for you here in the railway.
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full Time
