At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead 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 and strong negotiation skills.
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: Dormont Manufacturing Co
Arriva London is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its employees while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will have the opportunity to shape the commercial strategy in a dynamic environment, with access to robust training and development programmes that empower you to excel in your role. Located in the vibrant city of London, Arriva offers a unique chance to engage with key stakeholders like Transport for London, ensuring that your contributions directly impact the community and the future of public transport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director - Arriva London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks at Arriva London. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in securing contracts and leading teams. Share specific examples of how you've driven commercial success in previous roles – it’s all about showing what you can bring to the table!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Understand Arriva London's commercial strategy and think about how your skills align with their goals. Prepare questions that show you're genuinely interested in their operations and culture – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining the team at Arriva London.
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 success, 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 the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Arriva London's commercial strategy and how it aligns with Transport for London. Be ready to discuss how you would define and deliver this strategy, showcasing your experience in securing and retaining contracts.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential member of the Senior Leadership Team, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and fostered collaboration across functions in previous roles.
✨Understand the Regulatory Environment
Familiarise yourself with the complexities of operating in regulated environments. Be prepared to discuss your experience managing industrial relations and how you would maintain strong relationships with unions like Unite.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Think about how you would build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, especially with Transport for London. Have specific examples ready that highlight your influencing and negotiation skills, as well as your ability to drive commercial outcomes.
