Job Description

? Is ensuring service efficiency 'Your Thing'? ?

We are looking for a pragmatic and collaborative individual to join our Control team as a Train Service Controller. Based at one of our Rail Operating Centres, you'll play a pivotal role in monitoring and supporting real-time delivery of Northerns train services.



At Northern, we play a vital role connecting millions of people to work, leisure and education opportunities.



We operate 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England. But our vision is about more than just train travel. It's about setting a new standard for customer experiences. And that means building a different kind of workplace. One that values individuality and celebrates differences. Somewhere we can work together, have fun, and get stuck in to making our customers' lives easier. A place that goes out of its way to create incredible opportunities for everyone to grow and be the best we can be every single day.



So, if you're smart, forward thinking, passionate and full of fresh ideas like we are, you could play your part in making it happen.

About the role:

With 2500 train services operating on a daily basis, its important to ensure the safe and efficient operation of our train services with the Northern network.



As the Train Service Controller your primary responsibility will be to monitor the real-time operations of our trains, from schedules, routes and adherence to timetables.



You'll support the business by ensuring that in times of emergency, train services remain functioning, safeguard passenger safety and minimising disruption. You'll also work to contingency plans, having the confidence to think of solutions where required to keep our trains and customers moving.



You will be willing to work weekdays and weekends, on a 12 hour shift pattern



If this sounds like your thing, apply now!

Key responsibilities:

No two days are the same in Control. In this is a varied and challenging role, your day-to-day activities could include:


Ensure the highest levels of safety are maintained at all times for Northern services, customers and employees. Employ Fleet resources to remove from traffic units with safety related defects and provide suitable replacement to minimise overall effect to the train plan and disruption to customers. Lead and direct the utilisation of the Northern Fleet resources to ensure optimum utilisation and react as necessary to any disruption to the plan, to minimise delays and cancellations and maximise performance and units are presented for maintenance in accordance with requirements. Ensure that the current status and allocation of the Northern fleet is accurately reflected in the relevant IT systems. Advise the Senior Train Service Controller of shortages in Fleet resources to enable manipulation and assist in prioritisation of services to maximise service to customers. Ensure unit casualties and defects are reported promptly to the Engineering Department representative within control. Organise, in association with the Duty Control Manager and the Senior Train Service Controllers, the initiation of contingency plans, and the dissemination of the plan to all relevant staff. Ensure IT systems accurately reflect current position, including LLPA systems located in Manchester Control outside normal staffing hours for Retail Assistant desk.

59,346

All our offers are subject to passing a medical

About you:

You'll be a detailed orientated individual with exceptional organisational skills, capable of managing intricate schedules and unexpected challenges effectively. You'll possess strong communications abilities, enabling seamless coordination with various teams to ensure smooth train operations. Adept with making quick yet well informed decisions, you'll excel in a high-pressure environment, demonstrating tenacity and resilience to get the job done right first time.





We're also looking for the following:


To be able to work on your own initiative and as part of the Control Team Comprehensive geographical understanding of the Northern Network Excellent communication skills with a strong focus on customer delivery Full knowledge of the requirements of the Passenger Information During Disruption initiative Proven people management skills and persuasive attributes Previous experience in logistics would be beneficial.

You will also need to be able to work early, late and weekend shifts.

Please note, all our offers are subject to passing a medical

Our Benefits:

Because we value our people and reward hard work, we've created a benefits package that we think you'll love. So, you'll be able to make the most of:


Opportunities to progress and grow - including comprehensive training schemes and a range of online learning courses. Agile working for non-train crew - many of our roles can now be based at both home and the office, which is great if you are looking for flexibility. Cycle to Work Scheme - save up to 42% on the cost of a bike, while also spreading your payments throughout the year. Free Travel on Northern services - everyone who works at Northern, plus their partners/spouses and dependents, can travel for free right across our full network of services. Certain eligibility criteria will apply.
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme - you'll rarely find a pension as good as a Northern pension, and we top up your pension with a generous 1.5 times your contribution. Maternity and Paternity Benefits - we go above and beyond the standard, and mums can enjoy 9 months' maternity leave on full pay while dads can make the most of 2 weeks' paternity leave on full pay. Employee Assistance Programme - advice, support and useful information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on everything from family issues to lifestyle matters. A generous holiday entitlement - our holiday entitlements can help you feel like you can get away too.

You can find out more here.





Please note that Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date, if high volumes of applications are received.





However, if you miss the application window for this particular role, please keep checking back for other opportunities. We are always on the lookout for great people to join the Northern Team!




We're an equal opportunities employer and a promoter of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, sex, ethnicity, race, religion, education, socioeconomic background, disability, or sexual orientation.




We also have Disability Confident status, which means we're committed to making the most of the talents that disabled people can bring to the workplace.