Regional Bus Commercial Lead

Regional Bus Commercial Lead

Full-Time 60000 - 78000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
First Bus

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead regional bus commercial performance and drive growth through strategic market plans.
  • Company: Join a leading transport company focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 30% annual bonus, and hybrid working options.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.
  • 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 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, balancing 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, ensuring data becomes insight that translates to recommendations for improvement.
    • Tailor the Regional Bus customer proposition to the local audience, creating detailed market plans spanning a short to long-term horizon.
    • Work closely with Centre of Excellence partners (such as Network, Marketing, Data & Analytics) 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, aligning 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 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 to ensure that commercial and operational outcomes are aligned.
    • Championing new ventures that drive ‘off bus’ and ancillary revenue.
  • Stakeholders and Partners
    • Support Regional Directors to navigate complex stakeholder and political environments.
    • Successfully negotiate 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
    • Lead the Commercial Management/Support Team where required.
    • Act as the commercial ‘go to’ for the Regional Director and their leadership team.
    • Ensure consistent application of commercial standards and governance.
Skills & Experience
  • 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.
  • 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.

Regional Bus Commercial Lead employer: First Bus

Join First Bus as the Regional Bus Commercial Lead and experience a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and employee growth. With a competitive salary and up to 30% annual bonus, this hybrid role offers the unique advantage of working closely with regional leadership teams while making a tangible impact on local communities in Scotland and York. We are committed to your professional development, providing opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career in a supportive environment.

First Bus

Contact Details:

First Bus Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Regional Bus Commercial Lead

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and local meet-ups to connect with people in the bus and transport 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

Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your achievements in commercial performance and stakeholder management. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and the company culture. This not only shows your interest but can also give you valuable insights.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your talents directly to us. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Let’s get you on board!

We think you need these skills to ace Regional Bus Commercial Lead

Commercial Leadership
Analytical Skills
Budgeting
Forecasting
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Stakeholder Management
Negotiation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial leadership and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Commercial for Regional Bus.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires a strong analytical background, don’t forget to include examples of your budgeting and forecasting experience. We love seeing how you’ve used data to drive performance in previous roles!

Highlight Collaboration Experience:This position is all about working with various teams and stakeholders. Share specific instances where you’ve successfully collaborated to achieve commercial objectives. We value teamwork and want to know how you can contribute to our success.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!

How to prepare for a job interview at First Bus

Know Your Numbers

As a Regional Bus Commercial Lead, you'll need to be on top of revenue performance metrics. Brush up on your budgeting and forecasting skills, and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive commercial success in previous roles.

Understand the Local Market

Familiarise yourself with the specific regional challenges and opportunities in Scotland and York. Research local funding schemes and multi-operator arrangements that could impact performance, and be prepared to share insights on how you would tailor the customer proposition to meet local needs.

Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

This role requires working closely with various teams. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in the past, especially in complex environments. Highlight your negotiation skills and how you've built strong relationships to achieve commercial objectives.

Demonstrate Leadership Capability

As a potential leader, it's crucial to show that you can inspire and develop a team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've fostered a culture of performance and accountability in previous positions. Share specific instances where your influence led to positive outcomes.