At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead infrastructure programmes to shape the future of rail across the West.
- Company: Join Northern, a key player in transforming rail infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career development and recognition opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on railway evolution and community connectivity.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading complex programmes, ideally in rail or similar fields.
The predicted salary is between 61064 - 61064 £ per year.
BUSINESS FUNCTION: Programmes SALARY: £61,064 - £61,064 GRADE: ML2/SB2 ROLE TYPE: Permanent LOCATION: Manchester HOURS: 37
Big improvements don't happen by chance. They happen because someone can see the bigger picture, bring people together, and keep complex programmes moving in the right direction.
As part of our Infrastructure Change team at Northern, you'd lead programmes that shape the future of our depots, train care centres and station infrastructure across the West of our network.
From increasing capacity to modernising facilities, your work would help create the foundations that keep our railway evolving for colleagues, customers and the communities we serve.
You’ll work with teams across Northern and the wider rail industry, building strong relationships, solving challenges before they become problems, and making sure major infrastructure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and with lasting benefits.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll lead a portfolio of infrastructure programmes, making sure projects stay on track, risks are managed, and everyone involved is working towards the same goal.
No two days will be the same, but you’ll spend your time
- Leading infrastructure programmes across depots, train care centres, outstations and station platforms in the West.
- Supporting and challenging the delivery of projects carried out by external partners, including Network Rail, to help achieve the best outcomes for Northern.
- Providing leadership and direction to Project Managers, helping them overcome challenges and keeping programmes on time and within agreed objectives.
- Managing programme risks, dependencies and governance, ensuring stakeholders have clear, accurate updates throughout the project lifecycle.
- Working with colleagues across Finance, Fleet, Operations, Commercial and Programme Management to coordinate successful delivery.
- Acting as one of Northern’s key representatives with external organisations including Network Rail, the Department for Transport (Df T) and other industry partners.
- Identifying opportunities to improve project governance, planning and ways of working across the programme.
- Supporting the Infrastructure Change Lead and providing deputy cover when needed.
About you
Leading programmes, building relationships and keeping multiple moving parts aligned – that’s what you’ll bring to the team.
We’re looking for someone who has
- Experience leading complex infrastructure or engineering programmes from planning through to delivery, ideally in a rail environment.
- Strong project and programme management skills, with the confidence to manage competing priorities and make informed decisions.
- The ability to influence, challenge and build trusted relationships with colleagues, contractors and senior stakeholders.
- Experience managing project risks, budgets, governance and reporting.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and bring people together around shared goals.
- A collaborative approach and a passion for delivering improvements that make a real difference.
If you’ve worked in rail that’s great, but we’re equally interested in hearing from people with transferable programme management experience from other infrastructure, engineering or construction environments.
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.
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.
All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
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Programme Manager West (Rail Infrastructure) in Manchester employer: Northern
Northern is an excellent employer, offering a unique opportunity for Night Train Cleaners in Manchester to enjoy unlimited free travel and a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth. With tailored training programmes and a generous pension scheme, we foster an environment where every team member can thrive and develop their skills while contributing to the cleanliness and readiness of our trains.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager West (Rail Infrastructure) in Manchester
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Northern, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Programme Manager West (Rail Infrastructure) at Northern.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager West (Rail Infrastructure) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
