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Location: York / Leeds / Manchester / Liverpool / Newcastle with frequent travel
Department: Engineering
Reporting to: Engineering Director
Salary: Competitive
About The Role
People come to Northern for trains they can rely on. Behind every reliable journey is a fleet of trains that are safe, available, and ready to serve the communities that depend on them every day.
As Director of Fleet, you'll lead one of the largest and most critical areas of our Engineering function. This is a role with significant influence across the business, shaping the performance, reliability, and future direction of our fleet operation. Working closely with senior leaders across Northern, you'll balance strategic thinking with operational delivery, ensuring our trains are where they need to be, when they need to be there, and performing at their very best.
We are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Director of Fleet to lead our engineering operations across the region. This is a pivotal role within the organisation, responsible for the safe and effective delivery of fleet maintenance and engineering activities, ensuring optimal performance, safety, reliability, and availability of our trains.
With 7 direct reports oversight of multiple depots, outstations, and over 800 employees, this position requires a strong operational leader with a proven track record of delivering performance improvements, leading large teams, and successfully implementing complex projects and change programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the safe and effective operation of all maintenance locations, ensuring the right train is delivered to the right location at the right time and specification.
- Deliver operational and business improvement initiatives that enhance fleet performance, reliability, and operational resilience.
- Manage financial budgets and resource allocations, ensuring cost-effective operations while meeting business objectives.
- Lead the successful implementation of the Engineering Excellence and the Engineering Strategy with a laser focus on modernising culture and practices.
- Foster a high-performing workforce through effective leadership, coaching, training, and development.
- Collaborate with senior leaders, regional directors, and key stakeholders to deliver operational priorities and business objectives.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, maintaining the highest standards of operational safety and sustainability.
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What Success Looks Like
- Improved fleet performance, reliability, and availability.
- Successful delivery of key operational and engineering projects.
- A highly skilled and engaged workforce.
- A cost-effective and commercially viable engineering operation.
- Consistent delivery against operational, safety, and business performance targets.
- The ability to build cross-functional relationships but have the personality to challenge and pivot where required.
About You
We're looking for someone who can set a strategic direction, inspire large teams, and make complex operations feel straightforward. Engineering expertise, leadership capability and commercial awareness – that's the combination that will help you succeed in this role.
We are looking for a leader with:
- Degree level qualified is essential, preferably in engineering or business-related discipline.
- Completion of a time served engineering apprenticeship.
- Proven experience in managing multiple sites and teams across geographically dispersed locations, with a strong systems-thinking approach to driving value and cohesion.
- A strong track record in operational or engineering leadership, with experience delivering large-scale projects, change programmes, and performance improvements.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- A proactive approach to safety, health, and environmental management.
- A commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and team development.
- Ability to think strategically but also drive detail when required.
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.
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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.
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