Head of Control

What you’ll be doing:

Lead and develop a high-performing Control team, supporting wellbeing, development and performance aligned to Northern’s 90/2 punctuality target.
Be the go-to decision maker for real-time operational response, minimising disruption and keeping services running.
Own and improve on-the-day service management using insights from the Business Performance team.
Act as Bronze Command during incidents, playing a central role in our operational response.
Ensure clear and timely communication to customers during disruption.
Champion safety and compliance, ensuring the Control team operates in line with SHEC standards.
Work cross-functionally with Service Delivery, Engineering, Network Rail (NR), and Train Operating Company (TOC) partners.
Lead from the front, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on leadership in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

About you:

Extensive railway operations experience, with strong understanding of infrastructure, geography, and operational procedures.
A confident, progressive leader who can motivate teams and lead under pressure.
Strong experience in crisis and disruption management, with the ability to make timely, safety-led decisions.
Ability to turn data into action, leveraging performance insights to drive continual improvement.
Demonstrated ability to balance operational demands with strategic improvement goals.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
Knowledge of rail industry systems and IT tools, including MS Office.