Duty Control Manager in Manchester

Business Function: Control & Resource Planning

Salary: £72,325 per annum (during training this will reduce to 90% until competent)

Role Type: On site

Roles Available: 3

Location: Manchester Rail Operating Centre

Hours: 42 per week (on a rolling shift pattern)

When things get busy, you keep calm. When the unexpected happens, you take charge. As part of our Control team at Northern, you’ll be at the heart of our operations – making sure every train, every journey, and every colleague on shift stays safe, informed, and supported. Our Control Centre in Manchester is where everything comes together. It’s where we make decisions that keep millions of people moving across the North every day – safely, reliably, and with care. As a Duty Control Manager, you’ll lead the team that makes this happen.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll oversee everything that happens in the Control Room during your shift – coordinating train plans, resources, and people to deliver the best possible service. When things don’t go to plan, you’ll guide the team through incidents and keep communication flowing across the business. That means:

• Leading and supporting the Control team to keep services running smoothly
• Making quick, confident decisions to manage disruption and maintain safety
• Overseeing rostering, resource allocation, and staff welfare
• Managing safety-related incidents and activating Northern’s Incident Response Plan when needed
• Liaising with on‑call managers, senior leaders, and industry partners to share updates and keep customers informed
• Maintaining accurate control logs and ensuring all actions are recorded and followed up
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing colleagues to build skills and confidence across the team

No two shifts are ever quite the same – and that’s what makes it so rewarding.

About You

You’re someone who thrives under pressure and can keep a cool head when it matters most. You’ll already have experience leading people in a fast‑paced, operational environment – ideally within the rail industry – and you’ll be confident making sound decisions quickly and fairly. Strong communication is key in this role. You’ll know how to motivate teams, work with different personalities, and get the best out of everyone around you. You’ll also have a strong understanding of safety, performance, and customer service, and the judgment to balance them all when things get challenging.

It’ll also help if you bring:

• Solid knowledge of railway operations, rules, and safety standards
• Familiarity with service quality and performance regimes
• An understanding of traincrew conditions, roster processes, and operational planning
• Awareness of the Disabled Persons Protection Policy and wider accessibility commitments

This is a shift‑based role, so flexibility to work early, late, and weekend shifts is essential. It’s also a safety‑critical position, which means you’ll need to meet the required medical standards.

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: 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 plug‑in 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: Tailored training, recognised qualifications, and career pathways across every part of Northern.
• Recognition: Through our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, we celebrate 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.