At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team delivering essential People Services for 2,500 daily train services.
- Company: Join Northern, a trusted name in transport with a focus on people and service.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, enhanced family benefits, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, career development, and recognition await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting colleagues throughout their journey with us.
- Qualifications: Experience in People Services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45428 - 48000 £ per year.
BUSINESS FUNCTION: People
SALARY: £45,428 - £48,000
ROLE TYPE: Permanent
LOCATION: Leeds
HOURS: 37 per week
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 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.
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 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 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
- 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.
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.
People Services Team Manager in Leeds employer: Northern
At Northern, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in Leeds. Our People Services Team Manager role is pivotal in shaping the employee experience, with opportunities for professional growth through tailored training and career development. Enjoy unique benefits such as unlimited free travel for you and your family, a generous pension scheme, and recognition programmes that celebrate your contributions, all while working in a culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Services Team Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Knowing what makes Northern tick will help you stand out and show you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions with a mate. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and shows you’re keen on the position. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace People Services Team Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the People Services Team Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and handling high-volume cases, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Showcase Your People Skills:We want to see how you’ve led teams and supported colleagues in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve coached or developed team members to deliver great service – it’ll make your application stand out!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your points well. We appreciate a well-organised application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern
✨Know Your People Services Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of People Services. Understand the employee lifecycle processes and be ready to discuss how you would manage onboarding, contracts, and compliance. This shows your commitment and readiness to lead the team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing and developing teams in a busy environment. Think about times when you successfully coached someone or improved team performance. This will demonstrate your ability to lead the People Services team.
✨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with key metrics relevant to People Services. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to identify opportunities for improvement in previous roles. This will show that you have a continuous improvement mindset, which is crucial for this position.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Think of examples where you've worked closely with different stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you built those relationships and responded to their needs. This will illustrate your ability to collaborate effectively across the business, which is essential for the role.
