Senior IT Applications Specialist - 12 Month FTC

Job Description

JOB ROLE: Senior IT Applications Specialist - 12 Month FTC SALARY: Salary upto £60,000
ROLE TYPE: 12 Month FTC
HOURS: 37 Hours
LOCATION: Manchester Right then, if you know your Citrix from your VMware Horizon, can handle enterprise applications in Azure without breaking a sweat, and don’t mind being the person everyone rings when things go sideways, Northern wants to hear from you. We’re after a Senior IS Applications Specialist to take the technical lead within our IS Systems Team. This is a proper hands-on senior role where you’ll be leading application deployment, supporting business-critical systems, and helping shape the future of Northern’s application strategy. You’ll work across teams, suppliers, and projects to keep systems running smoothly and make sure our applications are fit for purpose, secure, and delivering for the business. One minute you’ll be sorting a high-level support issue, next you’ll be leading a major application rollout worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. What you’ll be doing:

• Leading application deployment and delivery across the business
• Designing and developing application solutions that support operational needs
• Acting as the senior escalation point for application support
• Working closely with IS teams, suppliers, and stakeholders across the business
• Supporting application architecture, licensing, and asset management strategy
• Driving improvements in performance, reliability, and system availability
• Helping maintain Northern’s ambitious 99.99% application availability target
• Taking part in the on-call rota

What we’re looking for:

• Strong experience with Microsoft technologies, Citrix, and VMware Horizon
• Experience managing enterprise applications within Azure
• Proven background delivering large-scale application change and development
• Experience working in a lean IT environment
• Degree qualified in IT or a related discipline
• Certifications such as MCSE, CCEE, and ITIL Foundation are highly desirable

You’ll need to be technically sharp, calm under pressure, and able to build solid working relationships across the business. This role suits someone who enjoys solving complex problems, improving systems, and getting things done properly first time. In return, you’ll be joining a business that keeps the North moving, working on critical systems that genuinely matter to thousands of people every single day. If you’re ready to take the lead and make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you. 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.
• 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.
• 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, 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.