(NT) Franchise Compliance Manager

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Programmes

GRADE: ML1/SB2

SALARY: Circa £44,000 per annum

ROLE TYPE: Hybrid

LOCATION: Leeds/York/Manchester

HOURS: 37 per week

Are you a natural relationship builder with a keen eye for detail? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where every decision makes an impact? As a Franchise Compliance Manager at Northern, you'll play a vital role in ensuring our business meets its commitments under the Services Agreement contract.

Working closely with teams across the business, you'll be at the heart of compliance, making sure Northern not only meets but exceeds expectations. You'll also be the key point of contact for our primary client, Rail North Partnership (RNP), building strong and lasting relationships while engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the railway industry, shape compliance processes, and make a real difference in how Northern delivers for its customers and stakeholders.

What you'll be doing

1. Building and maintaining strong working relationships, acting as a key contact and ensuring high levels of client support.
2. Leading and managing the Contract Management System (CMS), both internally and with the Department for Transport (DfT), ensuring all contract changes are properly assessed, authorised, and recorded.
3. Maintaining Northern's Legal Agreements and document library, ensuring that all franchise contract-related documentation is effectively managed and distributed.
4. Representing Northern at key stakeholder events meetings, including Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) working groups, MP visits, and DfT/RNP network events, ensuring we are always professionally represented.

About you

We need someone who is proactive, detail-oriented, and confident engaging with senior stakeholders. To succeed in this role, you'll need:

1. Experience in monitoring and reporting on large-scale complex projects and/or tasks.
2. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence senior managers.
3. The ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
4. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to understand and interpret legal documentation and financial data.
5. A background in contract management or railway industry experience is desirable but not essential.
6. A degree-level qualification would be an advantage, but what's more important is your ability to navigate complex contracts and build positive working relationships.

If you're ready for a role where you can truly make an impact, apply today and help shape the future of Northern!

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:

1. Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
2. Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
3. Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
4. Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
5. Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
6. Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy up to 5 extra days of annual leave.
7. Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
8. 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.
9. 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, after which rail quickly spread across the globe - and this year, we're celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here, we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. 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 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.

Please note that Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date, if high volumes of applications are received.