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Head of Strategy and Alignment- Engineering
Salary: Upto £91,000 per annum depending on experience
Location: York, Leeds or Manchester, with flexibility to travel across our network
Engineering keeps our railway moving. It underpins every safe journey, every reliable service and every improvement we make for our customers. Behind that day-to-day delivery sits the bigger picture – deciding where we're heading, how we'll get there and making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction.
As Head of Strategy and Alignment- Engineering, you'll help shape that picture.
Working closely with the Engineering Director and senior leaders from across Northern, you'll provide the strategic backbone for our Engineering function. You'll bring clarity to complexity, turning operational, technical and financial information into plans people can understand, trust and act upon. From long-term priorities to day-to-day governance, you'll help ensure our engineering activity is aligned, focused and delivering what matters most.
This is a role with genuine influence. You'll have the opportunity to shape how Engineering operates, strengthen decision-making and create a single source of truth that gives confidence in our plans, performance and future direction. At a time of significant change across the rail industry, you'll help ensure Engineering is ready for what's next.
What you'll be doing
As part of our team at Northern, you'll:
About you
You'll be someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity and helping people see the bigger picture.
Strategy, governance and stakeholder influence – that's the trio you'll bring to this role.
You'll also have:
Experience within engineering, transport, infrastructure or another safety-critical environment would be advantageous, although we're equally interested in the transferable skills and perspectives you can bring.
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:
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, 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.
Multiple Locations (UK)
Hybrid - HQ teams (work where you're needed), Operational teams (work across the network)
A little flex time
Company employees:
Gender diversity (m:f):
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