Absence Admin Support - 18 month secondment

Job Description

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Operations
SALARY: £32,853 rising to £38,650 per annum after 6 months
ROLE TYPE: Onsite
LOCATION: Manchester
HOURS: 35 per week

Absence Admin Support

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on and colleagues who genuinely care about doing the right thing. As part of our team at Northern, you’d help keep everything running smoothly by supporting managers with fair and consistent sickness absence processes. Your work would help create healthier teams, stronger communication, and a better experience for colleagues and customers alike.

You’d be part of a busy Operations environment where accuracy, empathy, and clear organisation make a real difference. From preparing key documents to analysing emerging trends, you’d be the steady hand that keeps absence-related tasks flowing in the right direction.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting managers with all aspects of sickness absence, including accurate note-taking at meetings
• Scheduling meetings and preparing clear, policy-aligned paperwork
• Keeping our absence management systems up to date, including Skylight and SAP, while ensuring GDPR requirements are met
• Analysing absence trends and sharing insights that help improve wellbeing and performance
• Assisting with the alternative duties process and maintaining accurate records
• Travelling across the network when needed to provide hands-on support to the Operations team

About you

Organisation, communication, and attention to detail – that’s three things you’ll bring that really matter in this role. You’ll also bring:

• Experience in HR administration or absence management support
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with HR systems such as SAP or Skylight
• The ability to work independently and handle sensitive information with care

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: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.

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 2,500 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 – and this year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back, we also look forward to the future 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.

We 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, you’ll always be offered an interview.

All offers are 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.