Northern Trains is seeking an experienced and confident Duty Control Manager to join its team in Manchester. This pivotal role is ideal for professionals with a strong background in managing people in a high-pressure environment and a proven ability to make sound, timely decisions when it matters most.
The successful candidate will bring exceptional interpersonal skills, ensuring clear communication and effective leadership across operational teams. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in keeping Northern’s network running smoothly and safely, while supporting the delivery of reliable rail services to communities across the region.
About Northern
Northern plays a vital role in connecting millions of people to work, leisure, and education opportunities across the North. Operating 2,500 trains a day, Northern links people and communities to jobs, friends, family, and the unique experiences the North has to offer.
Northern is committed to improving rail travel, enhancing the customer experience on board and at stations, and putting customers at the heart of its operations while continually improving performance.
By driving economic value and supporting sustainable growth for the North and its people, Northern also works to reduce its environmental impact and enhance the world around its communities.
Position: Duty Control Manager
Salary: £72,325 per annum
Job Type: Full time
Location: Manchester
About the Role:
Make a difference. Make it last. Make it yours. Make it easy. Make it happen. These are Northern’s values — and the guiding principles for everyone who joins the journey.
Full job description
Business function: Control & Resource Planning
Grade: Controller 1
Salary: £72,325 per annum – During training the salary will reduce to 90% until competent
Role type : On Site
Roles available: 4
Location: Manchester/York
Hours: 42 per week
Is navigating challenges and maintaining order ‘Your Thing’?
We are looking for a highly skilled and dedicated Duty Control Manger to join our Control Team at Northern. If you’re passionate about the railway, thrive in a fast paced environment and possess the leadership and decision making capabilities, this role may be the perfect fit for you.
Northern are committed to delivering exceptional rail services with a strong focus on safety, customer service, performance and effective communication. As the Duty Control Manager your role will be central to our operations, requiring effective leadership, decision making and communication. You’ll be responsible for overseeing the Control team on duty, ensuring all Northern services run smoothly and meet our high standards for safety, performance and customer service.
You’ll lead and coordinate all activities in the Northern Control Room. This includes the careful planning and execution of the train plan; utilising the workforce and rolling stock to deliver services while meeting performance and quality specification. You’ll work closely with your team to ensure that resources are allocated effectively and that any unexpected changes are addressed promptly.
This role extends beyond daily operations. You’ll be responsible for safety related incidents, accidents and other emergencies, following specified procedures to ensure the safety of all our services and employees at all times. You’ll liaise with on-call staff, senior managers, directors and industry bodies as needed. As well as playing an essential role in invoking Northern’s Incident Response Plan.
If this sounds like your thing, we’d love to hear from you.
Key responsibilities:
- The Duty Control Manager role offers diversity and complexity and here is a glimpse into your daily tasks:
- Coordinate control room activities to ensure efficient train service delivery while maximizing resource utilisation.
- Oversee internal matters like rostering and staff welfare.
- Prioritise safety by managing incidents and liaising with relevant parties.
- Execute incident response plans as needed.
- Develop contingency plans and facilitate resource management, all while maintaining a daily control log.
- Provide training, mentorship, and project delivery as necessary.
About you
- You’ll possess a strong background in managing people in a highly pressurised work environment; being able to demonstrate an ability to make sound decisions whilst under pressure. Your interpersonal skills are exceptional, allowing you to motivate and lead teams from diverse backgrounds effectively. You’ll have a keen awareness of customer needs and will be committed to delivering excellence in customer service, all the while showing empathy and understanding to frontline staff.
We’re also looking for the following desirable criteria:
- Strong background in railway operations
- In-depth knowledge of Rules, regulations and safety instructions
- Proficiency in performance & service quality regimes
- Knowledge of traincrew conditions of service and roster processes
- Understanding of financial, commercial and contractual matters
- Awareness of the Disabled Persons Protection Policy
This is a shift based role, meaning you will need to be flexible to work earlies, lates, weekdays and weekends dependent on the shift pattern.You must also live within a 45 minute commute to your place of work
This is a safety critical role, and you will need undertake a Medical assessment and meet our Rail Medical standards for the role.
What’s in it for you?
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:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 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.
- Electric Car Scheme: Lease a brand new electric or plugin hybrid car.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy up to 5 extra days of annual leave.
- 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 you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re 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, we’re 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 don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. 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.
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… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
Required Documents
- CV/Resume
- Cover Letter
Application Process
Join Northern Trains and help shape the future of rail operations with one of the UK’s leading train operators. APPLY HERE
Application Deadline
July 15, 2025