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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the commercial strategy and secure contracts with Transport for London.
- Company: Join Arriva London, a leader in public transport with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to operational excellence and community impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of transport in London and drive commercial success.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience in regulated environments required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Lead the commercial strategy for Arriva London to secure, retain and maximise route contracts with Transport for London, ensuring the business maintains a strong and sustainable pipeline of work. As a member of the Arriva London Senior Leadership Team, the role shapes commercial direction, oversees scheduling and iBus performance, and ensures the organisation is positioned to deliver operational excellence and commercial growth. The role also carries Statutory Director responsibilities for the areas within its remit.
Key Accountabilities
- Define and deliver the commercial strategy for Arriva London, aligned to the broader UK Bus and Group strategy.
- Lead the identification, development and delivery of new tender opportunities, contract renewals and contract optimisation initiatives.
- Maintain a strong pipeline of TfL route opportunities and ensure the business is positioned competitively in the London market.
- Build and maintain the senior relationship with Transport for London, ensuring effective engagement and strong contractual performance.
- Maximise revenue through strong operational performance, including Quality Incentive Contract (QIC) performance and rail replacement opportunities.
- Ensure data, insight and operational performance metrics inform commercial strategy and decision making.
Operational & Commercial Leadership
- Lead the Commercial, Scheduling and iBus teams, ensuring strong performance, clear accountability and alignment to business objectives.
- Ensure the full capability of scheduling systems such as Optibus is utilised to deliver efficient and commercially effective network plans.
- Oversee the delivery of key commercial projects and initiatives aligned to strategic priorities.
- Work closely with Operations, Engineering and Resourcing teams to ensure the organisation can deliver future commercial commitments.
Leadership & Culture
- Contribute to the overall leadership and strategic direction of Arriva London as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Lead, develop and motivate high-performing teams that deliver strong commercial outcomes.
- Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across operational and support functions.
- Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and commercial awareness across the business.
- Demonstrate visible leadership in relation to health, safety and operational standards.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation.
Industrial relations
Arriva London operates in a highly unionised environment. The role requires the development and maintenance of strong, constructive relationships with Unite the Union to support effective partnership working, including consultation, negotiation and the management of complex industrial relations matters.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Senior commercial leader with significant experience in complex, regulated environments.
- Proven track record of securing and retaining major contracts or tenders.
- Experience operating at executive or board level and contributing to strategic decision making.
- Strong experience managing complex industrial relations environments.
- Proven leadership capability, including developing and leading high-performing teams.
- Excellent influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with the ability to translate strategy into delivery.
- Strong analytical and decision-making capability.
Stakeholder relationships
- Arriva London Senior Leadership team
- Arriva UK Bus Executive leadership team
- Arriva Group M&A team
- Operational & Engineering teams
- Scheduling & commercial teams
- Transport for London (TfL)
- Unite - Trade Union
Commercial Director - Arriva London employer: Arriva
Contact Detail:
Arriva Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director - Arriva London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, especially those at Transport for London. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Arriva London and its competitors. Understand their commercial strategies and recent projects. We want to see you shine by showing how your experience aligns with their goals. Bring your A-game and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their success!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your vision for the commercial strategy and how you can lead teams to achieve operational excellence. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror until you feel confident and natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director - Arriva London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Commercial Director role. Highlight your experience in securing contracts and leading teams, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you've led high-performing teams in the past. Share examples of how you've motivated your team and driven commercial outcomes, especially in complex environments like transport or logistics.
Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen: Use your application to illustrate your understanding of commercial strategy and financial performance. Include any relevant metrics or achievements that showcase your ability to maximise revenue and optimise contracts.
Engage with Us Online: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Arriva London.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Arriva London's commercial strategy and how it aligns with Transport for London. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you would lead the identification and development of new tender opportunities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to share your experiences in leading high-performing teams. Think of instances where you've motivated teams to achieve strong commercial outcomes and how you fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Regulatory Environment
Brush up on your knowledge of operating in complex, regulated environments. Be prepared to discuss your experience with managing industrial relations, especially in unionised settings, and how you’ve built constructive relationships with unions like Unite.
✨Demonstrate Strong Stakeholder Management
Think about your past experiences in influencing and negotiating with stakeholders. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with key players, particularly in a senior leadership context, and how you would engage with Transport for London.