At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic growth initiatives and secure high-value business opportunities in the rail sector.
- Company: Established SME known for quality engineering services in the rail industry.
- Benefits: Generous salary, car allowance, performance bonuses, and significant personal growth potential.
- Other info: Home-based role with flexible office days and client visits.
- Why this job: Join a growing company and make a real impact in the rail sector's future.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development within rail engineering and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our client is an SME, a leader in their field, delivering specialist engineering, repair and overhaul-based services to the rail, rolling stock sector, passenger, freight, light rail and Network Rail, with clients across the UK. They are well-established in their sector, with a strong reputation for the highest quality workmanship, excellent customer service and innovation. The sector is growing and, with numerous opportunities due to present themselves this year, they wish to appoint a Head of Strategic Growth to lead in the winning of new business.
To succeed in the role, you will have experience within the sector, be able to network effectively with Train Operating Companies (TOCs), Rolling Stock Leasing Companies (ROSCOs), HM Depots and infrastructure managers like Network Rail to identify and secure high-value opportunities. On the back of 60% growth in the last two years, they have ambitious plans to double again in the next 3 to 4 years. The company will be tendering for a number of large new contracts this year but, additionally, the role will focus on other areas of the rail sector in which their skills and experience would be valuable and to strategically explore these opportunities with a view to winning further business.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic Market Expansion: Develop and execute a 3-year sales plan.
- Pipeline Management: Research and qualify leads to build a robust sales pipeline, managing complex, multi-year deal cycles from initial outreach to contract award.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and nurture long-term relationships with senior decision-makers at TOCs, Mayoral Combined Authorities, and global OEMs.
- Bidding & Proposals: Lead bid teams for high-value tenders (often £2M+), aligning technical value propositions with customer procurement objectives.
- Market Intelligence: Monitor industry trends to inform future product and organisation development.
- CRM & Reporting: Maintain high-quality data in Salesforce/CRM systems to provide accurate sales forecasting and performance reports for senior leadership.
- Industry Representation: Act as the face of the company at key industry forums and events.
Experience & Skills Required:
- Industry Expertise: Proven track record in business development or solution-based sales within the rail engineering or rolling stock sectors.
- Technical Knowledge: Understanding of rolling stock systems (Electric, ICE, Hybrid), maintenance and modification processes, asset management tools (e.g., Maximo), and regulatory frameworks like Project 13.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong skills in financial estimation, contract negotiation, and managing total cost of ownership (TCO) models.
- Communication: Exceptional pitching and presentation abilities, with the credibility to influence C-suite executives.
The role will be home based, with one or two days each week to be based at the Head Office in Derby. You will also be expected to visit clients and prospective clients as appropriate. The role offers a generous salary plus car allowance and performance-related bonus. The role is part of the Senior Management Team and, as such, offers significant potential for personal growth.
Head of Strategic Growth in Derby employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Growth in Derby
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Growth in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at All The Top Bananas, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with All The Top Bananas’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
