BUSINESS FUNCTION: Strategic Development GRADE: ML2/SB1 SALARY: Circa £54,000 per annum ROLE TYPE: Hybrid HOURS: 37 per week Lead, Strategise and Shape the future of Train Planning Do you have the vision to turn strategy into reality and the people skills to inspire a highly skilled team? If so, this is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of rail services across the Northeast. As Timetable Planning Manager, you’ll be at the heart of Northern’s service strategy, translating big-picture business objectives into the annual and weekly timetables and rolling stock diagrams that keep our trains moving. With 2,500 trains running daily across the North of England, your work will directly impact the reliability and efficiency of our service, ensuring we meet the needs of both passengers and internal stakeholders. This role is more than just technical expertise – it’s about leadership. You’ll manage a team of expert planners, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation while tackling the complexities of service planning. If you thrive on problem-solving, take pride in delivering high-quality outcomes, and enjoy seeing your plans come to life in real-world operations, we want to hear from you. If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for leadership and service excellence, apply now and help us drive the future of rail service planning. What you’ll be doing Guide a team of experienced planners, ensuring they deliver robust, customer-focused timetables and rolling stock diagrams. Work closely with key stakeholders, including the Strategic Development and Commercial teams, to design efficient, reliable service plans. Develop innovative, cost-effective, and resource-efficient train service solutions, ensuring our operations run smoothly in both normal and disrupted conditions. Manage long-term timetables and rolling stock diagrams, producing a high quality customer proposition, which balances commercial, operational, and engineering constraints. Prepare resilient train service plans to keep services running in challenging circumstances. What we’re looking for Proven experience in train planning with in-depth knowledge of railway operations, timetabling, and resource allocation. Strong leadership skills – You’ll have experience managing technical specialists, motivating a team, and driving performance. Expertise in planning systems & processes – A deep understanding of Timetable Planning Rules, Engineering Access Statements, Network Code, and railway signalling principles. Analytical mindset – You can interpret complex data and use it to make informed, strategic decisions. 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 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. Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy up to 5 extra days of annual leave. Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more. You can find out more here 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. Building an inclusive work environment We’re actively building diverse teams and we welcome applications from everyone. If you have a disability, we can make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process according to your needs. We're also part of the Disability Confident scheme, meaning we'll always offer an interview to disabled candidates who apply through the scheme if you meet the minimum criteria for a job. Please note that Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date, if high volumes of applications are received.