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: Collaborative culture with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- 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: Dormont Manufacturing Co
Arriva London is an exceptional employer that prioritises operational excellence and commercial growth while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will have the opportunity to lead high-performing teams in a dynamic environment, with strong support for professional development and collaboration across functions. Located in the vibrant city of London, Arriva offers a unique chance to engage with key stakeholders like Transport for London, ensuring 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 Transport for London. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in securing and retaining contracts. Share specific examples of how you've led teams to success in complex environments – it’ll show you mean business!
✨Be Ready for the Interview
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the commercial landscape in London. Understand the key players, like TfL, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to Arriva London's growth and operational excellence.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
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 for us at Arriva London.
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. This will help us understand your leadership style.
Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen:Use your application to illustrate your understanding of commercial strategy and operational excellence. Discuss any relevant metrics or achievements that showcase your ability to maximise revenue and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
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 your experience can contribute to securing and maximising route contracts.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership capabilities, especially in managing high-performing teams. Think about times when you've fostered collaboration across departments or led initiatives that resulted in strong commercial outcomes.
✨Understand the Regulatory Environment
Brush up on the complexities of operating in regulated environments. Be prepared to discuss your experience with tender processes and contract renewals, as well as how you've navigated industrial relations in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, particularly with Transport for London and trade unions. Have specific examples ready that showcase your negotiation skills and how you've managed stakeholder expectations effectively.
