People Services Team Manager in Leeds

People choose Northern for a service they can depend on—and behind that reliability is the experience we create for our people. As part of our People Team, you’d be leading the service that supports colleagues across the entire business – from their first day to their last. This role sits right at the centre of that journey. Every contract issued, every query answered, every process improved helps keep 2,500 daily train services running smoothly. This is a busy, high-impact role where no two days look the same. You’ll lead a team handling thousands of cases each year – from onboarding and contracts to travel passes and medicals – making sure everything runs efficiently, accurately and with care. It’s about creating a service that’s easy to use, easy to trust, and built around the needs of our colleagues.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading the day-to-day delivery of the People Services team, making sure queries and cases are handled within agreed service levels.
• Supporting, coaching and developing your team so they can deliver a consistently high standard of service.
• Managing the full employee lifecycle processes – from onboarding to changes in terms and conditions, right through to leaving.
• Making sure everything meets legal and compliance requirements, including Right to Work, DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks and medical standards.
• Overseeing case management, ensuring workloads are balanced and priorities are clear across busy periods.
• Working closely with stakeholders across the business to improve services and respond to changing needs.
• Managing systems such as Workday, document management and occupational health platforms, including supplier relationships.
• Monitoring performance, reporting on key metrics and using data to spot opportunities for improvement.
• Leading on audits, quality checks and continuous improvement activity.
• Playing a key role in wider People Team projects and business change initiatives.

About you:

People leadership, problem solving and pace – that’s what this role is built on. You’ll bring experience from a People Services or People Operations environment, along with a strong track record of leading a team in a high-volume setting. You know how to keep things moving while still paying attention to detail. Here’s what will help you thrive:

• Experience managing and developing a team in a busy, service-driven environment.
• Confidence working with HR systems, case management tools and payroll processes.
• A good understanding of compliance, including GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and audit requirements.
• Strong organisational skills – able to prioritise, plan ahead and adapt when things change.
• Experience working with stakeholders at different levels and building strong relationships.
• A mindset focused on continuous improvement – always looking for smarter, simpler ways of working.
• CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) qualification, or working towards it.

If you’ve worked in a unionised or operational environment, even better – you’ll already understand the pace and complexity involved.

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.
• 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 2,650 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, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. 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.