Head of Commercial Development

Head of Commercial Development

Do you have drive, enthusiasm and a passion to help take the North further? If yes, then come and be part of our amazing team here at TransPennine Express.

 We are an intercity train company connecting people and communities across our cities and major towns in the North of England and Scotland.  Together we will continue to transform rail travel with faster, easier journeys that offer a step change in services with our fleet of new high-tech trains.

The North is a vibrant place to live and work and here at TransPennine Express our services are helping to keep the country moving.  If you want to be involved in something truly transformative, that will have a lasting impact on how we travel, then please join us and help us to take the North further.

We are recruiting for a Head of Commercial Development to work with our industry partners and stakeholders to develop a station strategy which supports plans to invest more than £10bn in the core Tranpennine Route over the coming decade and align with the wide-ranging plans of our partners in regional/ local government to invest in the town and cities we serve.

The role will work closely with the rest of the Business Development directorate, TPE operational colleagues, FirstGroup, Network Rail (particularly the TRU programme) as well as our partner and funders. The focus of the role will be putting in place commercial agreements with external parties that support the realisation of internal and external projects and contract matters that could have a significant impact on the company and on our customers.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Engagement with the TRU programme to ensure station investment plans for Staybridge, Huddersfield and Dewsbury are being developed and align with investments in the wider network;
• Embed these plans as part of the TRU programme to enable gradual release of benefits linked to the key output strategy;
• Support the regional development managers and other sponsors within the business on small, medium and large projects, working closely with industry partners and stakeholders;
• Business case and contract development, negotiation and due diligence;
• ensuring effective contract management of agreements, including budget-setting and management reports and payments required under agreements;
• securing approvals through the TPE, FirstGroup and wider TRU programme governance process; and
• liaison with colleagues in legal, procurement, property projects, engineering, finance, facilities and other departments to secure the right outcomes for the our customers and communities.

You'll need to be:

• Able to demonstrate a broad experience of railway (or similar) industry development and planning frameworks, ideally with previous project, commercial or change management experience of regulated change and have
• In possession of good working knowledge of industry processes (or willingness to learn quickly) with the confidence to challenge the status quo to deliver better outcomes for the rail industry and for our customers
• Able to communicate ideas at all levels both internally and with external stakeholders such as Network Rail , Combined Authorities, Local Authorities, Transport for the North and the Department for Transport.

As a minimum you'll need to have:

• A degree or equivalent
• Previous experience of establishing relationships with stakeholders and negotiating
• A passion for getting the right outcome for the business, client, community and customer

If the above sounds like a bit of you, then we'd love to receive your CV and a short cover letter to help us understand why you're the best person for this role please visit FirstGroup Careers.

n.b The closing date for applications is Friday 31 March 2023, although applications submitted earlier than that date would be appreciated.  Interviews will be held during w/c Monday 17 April 2023.

What we offer?

• Excellent career prospects.
• A personal development plan.
• Fully funded structured training and development*.
• Competitive salary paid on 4 weekly basis.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Free TransPennine Express rail travel for you and your dependants*.
• Travel discounts of up to 75% off other train operating companies, plus international rail travel after 1 years' service* for you and your dependants*.
• Friends & family rail and bus travel offers with FirstGroup services*.
• Free & Confidential Employee Assistance Program and Wellbeing Portal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with any finance, family, health, or wellbeing issues you have. We make sure there's someone on-hand to offer guidance, advice, and useful information for our people when they are experiencing hardship at work or at home.
• Option to join the Railway Pension Scheme with significant employer contributions.
• Family friendly maternity and paternity benefits.
• Plus, high street and lifestyle discounts as well as a cycle to work scheme*.

*Terms and conditions apply.

 Help take the north further.

Why Work with us?

Our colleagues are from all walks of life with varied personal experiences and career journeys into rail. We want the best people for our roles. We are proud of our region and committed to connecting and reflecting the diverse communities that we serve across the North of England and Scotland. Our values are central to this, especially being ‘Supportive of each other'. As an inclusive employer we value individuals' contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief.