Performance Improvement Business Partner

Northern; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Travel

Generous Pension Scheme

Enhanced Family Benefits

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Exclusive Discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and Career Development

Recognition

Job summary

Northern is seeking a Performance Improvement Business Partner to turn insight into action across the network. Based in Leeds/York with travel, you will work with operational teams and industry partners to identify opportunities and lead improvement activity.

You’ll influence senior leaders, build trusted relationships, analyse performance data, develop business cases and champion continuous improvement to boost punctuality and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Experience analysing operational or business performance and using data to drive improvements.
• The confidence to influence, challenge and build trusted relationships with people at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to simplify complex information into clear recommendations.
• Experience leading or supporting improvement projects and keeping multiple workstreams moving.
• Excellent communication skills, whether presenting to senior leaders or working alongside frontline colleagues.
• A good understanding of railway operations or another complex operational environment where performance matters.
• A degree or equivalent experience is beneficial, and membership of CIRO or ILT is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate Performance Improvement Plans that support Northern's operational and customer goals.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Investigate the causes of poor performance and develop long-term solutions with colleagues.
• Build partnerships with Network Rail, other TOCs and internal teams to deliver shared improvements.
• Present insights and recommendations to senior leaders to shape business decisions.
• Develop business cases and funding propositions to support future improvements.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across the business.

Skills

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Railway operations

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Performance Improvement Business Partner BUSINESS FUNCTION: Performance SALARY: Circa £45,400 ROLE TYPE: Hybrid HOURS: 37 per week LOCATION: Leeds/York - with travel around the network

Every second matters.

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on. Behind every punctual arrival and every smooth journey is a team working together to make rail travel better, every single day.

As part of our Performance team, you'd help turn insight into action. Working across operational teams and alongside industry partners, you'll identify opportunities to improve performance, solve complex challenges and help shape how we deliver a better service for millions of customers across the North.

This is a role with real influence. You'll work with senior leaders, collaborate with Network Rail and other rail operators, and lead improvement activity that makes a measurable difference to punctuality, reliability and the customer experience. If you enjoy bringing people together, making sense of complex information and turning ideas into results, you'll feel right at home.

What You’ll Be Doing

No two days are quite the same, but you can expect to:

• Lead and coordinate Performance Improvement Plans that support Northern's operational and customer goals.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Investigate the causes of poor performance and work with colleagues to develop practical, long-term solutions.
• Build strong partnerships with Network Rail, other train operating companies and internal teams to deliver shared performance improvements.
• Present clear, meaningful insight and recommendations to senior leaders, helping shape business decisions.
• Develop business cases and funding proposals that support future improvement initiatives.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, helping teams learn from performance and share best practice across the business.

About You

If you can turn information into improvement, you'll already be speaking our language.

We're looking for someone who can put the pro into problem solving. These are the essentials you'll bring:

• Experience analysing operational or business performance and using data to drive improvements.
• The confidence to influence, challenge and build trusted relationships with people at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to simplify complex information into clear recommendations.
• Experience leading or supporting improvement projects and keeping multiple workstreams moving.
• Excellent communication skills, whether you're presenting to senior leaders or working alongside frontline colleagues.
• A good understanding of railway operations or another complex operational environment where performance really matters.
• A degree or equivalent experience is beneficial, and if you're already a member of, or working towards, a relevant professional body such as the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators (CIRO) or the Institute of Logistics and Transport (ILT), that's great too.

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.