At a Glance
- Tasks: Help improve digital products and services for our customers every day.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, transforming rail travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, exclusive discounts, and tailored training.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team where everyone feels welcome.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer journeys with innovative digital solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and a passion for improving customer experiences.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Make a difference to our customers. At Northern, we're here to make journeys better for our customers. As an Associate Product Manager, you'll help us improve the digital products and services that our customers use every day.
Working as part of our Customer Experience Product team, alongside our Customer Product Managers, you'll turn customer insight, data and feedback into practical improvements — helping us deliver simple, useful and reliable digital experiences.
What You'll Be Doing
- Supporting the development and delivery of our customer product roadmap.
- Turning customer needs, research and data into clear product requirements and user stories.
- Managing and prioritising elements of the product backlog.
- Working with Digital, IT, Operations, Marketing and Customer Experience teams to deliver improvements.
- Monitoring product performance through measures such as KPIs, OKRs and customer feedback.
- Supporting continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.
- Building strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers and technology partners.
- Helping identify new ideas, technologies and opportunities to improve the customer experience.
- Supporting budgets, business cases and supplier relationships to ensure we deliver value for money.
What You'll Bring
- Experience in product management, ideally with an understanding of the full product lifecycle and Agile delivery.
- Confidence working with both technical and non-technical teams and able to turn complex information into clear, customer-focused outcomes.
- Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills.
- A data-driven and customer-focused approach.
- Experience using product tools such as Jira, Confluence, Trello or Miro.
- An understanding of UX/UI and digital or web/app development principles.
- Excellent organisation and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- A passion for innovation and improving customer experiences.
- Experience of the rail industry is useful, but it's not essential — what matters most is your curiosity, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
What does success look like?
You'll help us deliver digital products that work for our customers, are delivered on time and continue to improve. You'll keep priorities clear, work collaboratively with our teams and suppliers, and use customer feedback and data to help make better product decisions.
If you're passionate about customers, digital products and making a real difference to the journeys people take every day, we'd love to hear from you.
What’s in it for you?
- 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.
- 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 2,500 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, 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.
Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months in Leeds employer: Northern
Northern is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the vibrant cities of York and Manchester. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance customer journeys. Our inclusive culture promotes innovation and teamwork, ensuring that every team member's voice is heard and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months in Leeds
✨Connect with Product Management Communities
Dive into online communities like Product School or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. This can help you build relationships and visibility in the product management scene, plus you might hear about temp roles before they even get posted!
✨Attend Industry Meetups and Workshops
Check out local meetups or workshops specifically targeted at product management. These gatherings are prime spots to meet hiring managers and fellow practitioners. Plus, they often lead to connections that can help you land temporary roles.
✨Showcase Your Work with a Portfolio
Even if you're after a temporary gig, having a solid portfolio is key! Include case studies of past projects, highlighting your role and how you drove product success. Use platforms like Behance to display your work visually.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you spot a temp role like Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months at Northern, go straight to their website to apply. Direct applications often have a better chance of standing out since they show commitment. It's worth the extra effort, trust us!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Sense:In product management, we want to see your understanding of user needs and business value. When you're crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight specific products you've worked on, the methodologies you used, and how those experiences shaped your product sense. If you have insights into user journey mapping, competitive analysis, or product lifecycle, make sure to feature them!
Highlight Relevant Experience:For a temporary role, employers often look for candidates who can hit the ground running. Make sure your written application showcases not just your past roles, but also specific outcomes you've driven. Don't shy away from using metrics—how did your contributions impact the product or team? We love when you quantify your achievements!
Be Ready to Adapt:Temporary positions can often lead to quick changes in direction. In your cover letter, convey your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Mention any experiences where you’ve had to pivot or adjust your approach to meet project goals. Talk about how you thrive in dynamic environments—it'll really resonate with us at Northern!
Link to Your Portfolio:If you've worked on product roadmaps, user stories, or any visualisations, link to your portfolio in your application. Even a personal project that demonstrates your skills as a product manager can show your proactive approach. It's a great way for us to see your work in action and understand your style. And remember, apply through our website to make it easier for us to find you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern
✨Show Off Your Product Knowledge
Make sure we can discuss the product lifecycle with confidence! Be ready to showcase your understanding of key concepts in product management, such as roadmap planning and user research. We want to hear about any tools you're familiar with, like JIRA or Trello, as they’re popular in this space!
✨Agile Mindset is Key
As a temporary role, they'll want us to hit the ground running. Brush up on Agile methodologies and be prepared for scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you'd handle shifting priorities or tight deadlines. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt quickly!
✨Bring Your Portfolio of Projects
If you've got any product projects up your sleeve—be it case studies or live examples—bring them along! For a temporary position, they’re going to want to see tangible results from your previous work, so don't hold back on demonstrating how you've made an impact in past roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
They’ll be looking to see how you articulate your ideas, so practice your pitch! Make sure we can summarise complex product requirements into clear, understandable language. Being able to express yourself well is vital in product management, especially in a temporary role where quick collaboration is essential!
