Senior Employee Relations Manager - Fixed Term May '26 - #1785239

BUSINESS FUNCTION: People

GRADE: Exec

SALARY: Exec

ROLE TYPE: Hybrid

Are you a skilled negotiator and strategic leader, ready to drive transformational change within a dynamic business environment?

At Northern, we are seeking a Senior Employee Relations Manager to join our leadership team. In this pivotal role, you'll lead critical employee relations strategies, ensure effective collective bargaining, and play a central role in shaping and implementing people policies that support our vision for growth and success.

If you have a passion for fostering positive industrial relations and driving change, we want to hear from you!

What you’ll be doing:

• Act as management Chair and lead negotiator for Station, Engineering, and Management Employee Council constituencies, ensuring a balanced and coordinated approach across business as usual and transformational activities.
• Develop and deliver Northern’s Employee Relations strategy alongside the Head of Employee Relations, leveraging effective negotiation strategies to drive change and manage ongoing activities.
• Build strong relationships with union representatives and business leaders to secure necessary agreements, navigate restructuring, and manage productivity initiatives.
• Lead and advise on the development of new and revised people policies and procedures, ensuring legal compliance and best practices.
• Spearhead people transformation initiatives, collaborating with business leaders to guide teams through change, while maintaining a positive ER climate throughout organisational shifts.
  
  
  

About you:

• Extensive experience leading negotiations in a unionised environment, with a proven ability to bring complex discussions to a successful conclusion.
• Strong knowledge of industrial relations, people management, and the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the business.
• Demonstrable expertise in handling multi-disciplinary terms and conditions, with the ability to manage complex, high-stakes situations.
• Experience in driving people transformation and change initiatives, with a keen understanding of how to navigate organisational restructuring.
• Ability to build effective relationships with Trade Union representatives, senior business leaders, and Heads of Business, ensuring smooth collective bargaining and collaboration.
  
  
  

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.
• Electric Car Scheme: Lease a brand new electric or plugin hybrid car.
• 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.
• Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy up to 5 extra days of annual leave.
• 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, 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 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.