At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting rail infrastructure projects that transform the Northern network.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, connecting communities and driving growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, enhanced family benefits, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team where everyone feels welcome and valued.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on rail travel while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management within rail infrastructure and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 51919 - 55017 £ per year.
BUSINESS FUNCTION: Programmes
SALARY: £51,919 - c£55,017/ Grade: ML2/SB1
ROLE TYPE: Permanent
LOCATION: Manchester
HOURS: 37 hours per week
Railways never stand still. Behind every longer platform, upgraded depot, or improved station facility is a project that’s been carefully planned and delivered with precision. As part of our Infrastructure Change project team, you’d be shaping the spaces, systems, and infrastructure that keep Northern moving forward. This Project Manager role puts you at the centre of transformation across the network. You’d manage a portfolio of infrastructure projects – from platform extensions to depot enhancements – working closely with teams across Northern and partners like Network Rail. It’s about making improvements happen in the real world, while keeping services running and customers moving.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and coordinating a portfolio of infrastructure projects across the Northern network
- Managing projects across a diverse and exciting range of rail infrastructure change and upgrades delivered both internally and in partnership with Network Rail
- Developing clear project scopes, plans, and deliverables – and keeping them on track
- Working with stakeholders across Northern and beyond to make sure projects are well designed and deliverable
- Balancing project delivery with day-to-day railway operations to minimise disruption
- Managing risks, issues, timelines, and resources across each stage of the project lifecycle
- Producing regular updates and reports, keeping stakeholders informed and aligned
- Supporting governance processes, including business cases and stage gate approvals
- Identifying opportunities to improve how projects are delivered and embedding best practice
About you:
Organisation, collaboration, and delivery – that’s what keeps projects moving in the right direction. You’ll bring:
- Experience managing projects in a complex environment within rail infrastructure
- Strong planning and project management skills, with a recognised qualification or equivalent experience
- Confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders and bringing people together
- A good understanding of health, safety, and environmental standards in project delivery
- Commercial awareness and the ability to manage budgets, risks, and priorities
- Clear communication skills – able to turn plans into action and keep everyone on the same page
- The ability to balance competing demands and keep projects moving forward
If you’ve worked on depot, rolling stock, or station projects – or within the rail industry more broadly – that’s fantastic. What matters most is your ability to deliver meaningful change, safely and effectively.
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.
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.
Project Manager - Rail Infrastructure (West) in Manchester employer: Northern
At Northern, we pride ourselves on being more than just a train operator; we are a community-focused employer dedicated to supporting our people. With generous benefits like unlimited free travel for you and your family, a robust pension scheme, and tailored training opportunities, we foster a culture of growth and recognition. Join us in Manchester and be part of a transformative journey in rail infrastructure, where your contributions will help shape the future of travel in the North.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager - Rail Infrastructure (West) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the rail industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with Northern’s recent initiatives and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in project management can make a difference at Northern. Keep it concise and focus on your achievements in previous roles, especially those related to rail infrastructure.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, get your application in and let’s get the conversation started!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager - Rail Infrastructure (West) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing rail infrastructure projects and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at Northern. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, make sure to highlight your collaboration and communication skills. Share examples of how you've successfully brought people together to achieve project goals – we want to know how you keep everyone on the same page!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into the types of rail infrastructure projects you might be managing. Familiarise yourself with recent upgrades and changes in the Northern network. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Stakeholder Savvy
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you brought people together to achieve project goals.
✨Risk Management Ready
Brush up on your risk management strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've identified and mitigated risks in previous projects. This shows that you can balance project delivery with operational demands, which is crucial for this role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to turn plans into action and keep everyone informed. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your communication skills.
