At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead regional commercial performance and drive growth through strategic market plans.
- Company: Join a leading transport company with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 30% annual bonus, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and stakeholder engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the transport sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 78000 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Commercial – Scotland and York, to join our Commercial team on a full time permanent basis. This is a hybrid role with frequent travel required.
The Head of Commercial for Regional Bus is the single point of accountability for regional commercial performance. Responsible for commercial results and the local customer proposition, they balance customer, financial, and stakeholder outcomes.
The role focuses on executing market plans, working closely with commercial colleagues, First Bus Centres of Excellence, and Regional Leadership Teams to drive performance and growth.
Key Responsibilities- Regional Performance
- Accountable for all lines of regional revenue performance, covering volumes, yield and ancillary income.
- Deeply understand the levers that drive revenue performance in the local market, from national and local funding and multi-operator schemes, to on bus passenger performance and ancillary revenue.
- Own the commercial inputs into the regional budgeting and forecasting processes.
- With support from Commercial Analysts, provide detailed trading performance updates to senior leadership, and ensure data becomes insight that translates to recommendations for improvement.
- Tailor the Regional Bus customer proposition to the local audience, to create detailed market plans spanning a short to long-term horizon.
- Work closely with Centre of Excellence partners (such as Network, Marketing, Data & Analytics (D&A)) to execute these plans.
- Make informed trade-offs between stakeholder, customer and shareholder requirements.
- Collaboration for Results
- Working with the Director of Customer Proposition to create detailed market plans, and to align pricing requirements with the national framework.
- Supporting the Heads of Network to maximise route performance, ensuring stakeholder, political and customer requirements are represented.
- Supporting Regional Directors (and their teams) with stakeholder engagement, owning all relationships that support the delivery of commercial objectives.
- Collaborating with the Director of Commercial Delivery and Director of Network on commercial bids and contract renewals.
- Partnering with Service Delivery Directors and their teams to ensure that commercial and operational outcomes are aligned, and contractual commitments delivered.
- Championing new ventures that drive ‘off bus’ and ancillary revenue.
- Stakeholders and Partners
- Support Regional Directors (and their teams) to navigate complex stakeholder and political environments.
- Successfully negotiate BSIP (and other) funding arrangements with Local and Combined Transport Authorities.
- Develop partnerships with Private Sector companies to increase volumes and/or secure investment in initiatives that could support modal shift.
- Leadership Capability & Execution
- Where required (region-dependent), lead the Commercial Management/ Support Team; Develop regional commercial capability and succession.
- Act as the commercial ‘go to’ for the Regional Director and their leadership team.
- Ensure consistent application of commercial standards and governance, adhering to the First Bus 'Divisional Authorisation Policy'.
- Senior commercial leadership experience in a multi-site structure.
- Highly analytical, with demonstrable experience in budgeting, forecasting and cost-benefit analysis.
- Ability to move between horizon-level planning and intricate, immediate decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritise and provide clear direction, and to make progressive and pragmatic decisions in complex environments.
- Solid stakeholder and relationship management; A confident negotiator.
- Strong understanding of network planning, pricing and bidding processes.
- Resilient and delivery focused.
- Able to deliver performance through influence and collaboration.
Salary - competitive, plus up to 30% annual bonus.
Head of Commercial employer: First Bus
As the Head of Commercial for Scotland and York, you will join a dynamic team that values collaboration, innovation, and growth. Our hybrid work culture promotes flexibility while ensuring you have access to extensive professional development opportunities, enabling you to thrive in your role. With competitive salaries and an annual bonus structure, we are committed to rewarding your contributions and fostering a supportive environment where your ideas can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and local meet-ups to connect with people in the commercial sector. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Tailor your approach! When reaching out to potential employers, make sure to highlight how your skills align with their needs. Show them you understand their business and how you can drive performance and growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and challenges. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their commercial objectives and improve regional performance.
✨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 are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience for the Head of Commercial role. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role is all about driving commercial performance, be sure to include examples of your analytical prowess. We love seeing how you've used data to make informed decisions and improve outcomes in previous roles.
Highlight Collaboration Experience:This position requires a lot of teamwork, so share instances where you’ve successfully collaborated with different teams or stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can build relationships and drive results together with others.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Bus
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Commercial, you'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of regional revenue performance. Brush up on key metrics like volumes, yield, and ancillary income. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive commercial decisions in the past.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Understand the local market and be prepared to share how you would tailor the customer proposition to meet its needs. Think about specific examples where you've successfully executed market plans that led to sustainable growth.
✨Showcase Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with various teams. Prepare to discuss your experience in collaborating with stakeholders, from marketing to operational teams. Highlight instances where your teamwork led to successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Capability
As a senior leader, you'll need to show your ability to guide and develop teams. Share examples of how you've built rapport and engaged colleagues in previous roles, and how you plan to foster a strong commercial culture in this position.
