At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and drive continuous improvement for CrossCountry's business performance.
- Company: Join CrossCountry, a key player in Britain's rail industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of rail transport while building strong stakeholder relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic planning and stakeholder management; degree-level qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving business performance, governance excellence, and continuous improvement? CrossCountry is seeking an experienced Business Planning & Improvement Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping our future direction. This is a unique opportunity to influence organisational strategy, strengthen key stakeholder relationships, and ensure our business plans deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers, colleagues and stakeholders.
Working at the heart of the organisation, you'll lead the development of our Annual Business Plan, oversee governance and performance frameworks, and drive improvements that support delivery of our strategic priorities and contractual commitments.
What You'll Be Doing
- Strategic Business Planning
- Lead the development, coordination and submission of CrossCountry's Annual Business Plan to the Department for Transport Operator (DfTO).
- Ensure business plans align with organisational strategy, client priorities and contractual obligations.
- Work with stakeholders across the business to develop initiatives that support strategic and medium-term objectives.
- Support communications and engagement activities linked to business planning.
- Stakeholder & Client Relationship Management
- Act as the primary day-to-day contact between CrossCountry and the Department for Transport Operator.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships that support successful delivery and positive outcomes.
- Establish credibility with senior stakeholders and external partners.
- Governance, Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Provide oversight of governance forums and decision-making processes, ensuring they are effective, efficient and value-adding.
- Drive improvements in planning, governance and performance management frameworks.
- Use data and insight to inform decisions, challenge assumptions and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Lead the preparation and quality assurance of performance scorecard evidence submissions.
- Identify and deliver initiatives that maximise performance outcomes and support achievement of Performance Based Fee targets.
- Develop robust business cases to support investment and organisational priorities.
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Work closely with colleagues across strategy, finance, performance and operational teams, as well as industry partners.
- Ensure all activities support National Rail Contract requirements and organisational objectives.
About You
You'll be an experienced professional with a track record of leading strategic planning, governance or performance improvement activities within complex and regulated environments.
Essential
- Experience managing complex, contract-led stakeholder relationships.
- Proven ability to build trust and credibility with clients, regulators or oversight bodies.
- Experience working with performance frameworks, scorecards or qualitative assessment regimes.
- Strong analytical, planning and influencing skills.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Desirable
- Experience within rail, transport or wider public sector environments.
- Knowledge of recognised programme, portfolio or PMO methodologies such as MoP, MSP, PRINCE2 or P3M.
- Experience managing business planning processes and evidence-based submissions.
- Background working with strategy, finance or performance functions.
- Professional qualifications in programme management, governance, risk or contract management.
- MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification.
At CrossCountry, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact on the future of one of Britain's most important rail operators. We offer a collaborative environment where innovation, continuous improvement and professional development are encouraged and supported.
At CrossCountry, we believe our people should reflect the diverse communities we serve. Inclusion isn't just part of our strategy—it's central to our success. We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to achieve their full potential.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now and help shape the future of CrossCountry.
Business Planning and Improvement Manager in Birmingham employer: Arrivatc
CrossCountry is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, allowing you to make a significant impact on the future of Britain's rail services. With a strong commitment to professional development and a focus on diversity and inclusion, employees are supported in their growth while working alongside dedicated colleagues to drive continuous improvement and strategic success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Planning and Improvement Manager in Birmingham
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Arrivatc!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Business Planning and Improvement Manager position at Arrivatc via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Planning and Improvement Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Arrivatc.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Arrivatc’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arrivatc
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Arrivatc. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Arrivatc. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Arrivatc.
