TRU Planning Interface Manager

Northern Trains Limited; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Travel

Pension Scheme

Enhanced Family Benefits

Cycle to Work Scheme

Exclusive Discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Training & Career Development

Recognition Programs

Job summary

Northern Trains Limited is seeking a Planning Interface Manager to shape TRU train service plans and lead a small team of planners. You will oversee timetable, access strategies and disruption mitigation, ensuring deliverability and minimal customer disruption.

You'll work with Service Planning, Commercial and Operations, representing Northern at industry meetings. The role focuses on delivering robust plans for major rail infrastructure upgrades.

Qualifications

• Must have proven experience leading railway planning activity.
• Strong understanding of railway industry processes and systems.
• Experience developing train service, timetable and access strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead Northern’s train service planning activity for TRU.
• Develop train plans across different TRU stages and configuration states.
• Lead negotiations around access and possessions, balancing operational and customer impacts.
• Work closely with Service Planning, Commercial, Operations and Customer Impact teams.
• Represent Northern at relevant industry meetings and consultations.
• Coordinate planning input from across the business and wider rail industry.
• Develop rail replacement and disruption mitigation strategies.
• Provide clear reporting and updates to senior stakeholders and Network Rail.
• Lead and support a team of two train planners.

Skills

Leading railway planning

Railway processes & systems

Timetable planning

Access strategy development

Stakeholder management

Analytical & problem solving

Communication skills

Influence & evidence-based decisions

Rolling stock impacts understanding

Tools

EAS

TPR

Network Code Part D

Job description

Job Role: TRU Planning Interface Manager

As Planning Interface Manager, you’ll play a key role in shaping Northern’s train service plans for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) programme.

You’ll lead a small team of train planners and oversee the development of Northern’s train service and access strategy, ensuring plans are operationally deliverable and minimise disruption to our customers.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead Northern’s train service planning activity for TRU.
• Develop train plans across the different TRU stages and configuration states.
• Lead negotiations around access and possessions, balancing operational and customer impacts.
• Work closely with Service Planning, Commercial, Operations and Customer Impact teams.
• Represent Northern at relevant industry meetings and consultations.
• Coordinate planning input from across the business and wider rail industry.
• Develop rail replacement and disruption mitigation strategies.
• Provide clear reporting and updates to senior stakeholders and Network Rail.
• Lead and support a team of two train planners.

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience leading railway planning activity.
• Strong understanding of railway industry processes and systems, including EAS, TPR and Network Code Part D.
• Experience developing train service, timetable and access strategies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and make evidence-based decisions in a complex environment.
• Understanding of timetable, rolling stock and traincrew impacts.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in one of the North’s major rail infrastructure programmes and help shape the future of Northern’s services.

If you’re an experienced railway planner looking for your next challenge, 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.