At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with retailers and stakeholders to enhance station operations and customer experience.
- Company: Join Network Rail, where your work impacts millions of passengers across the country.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, discounts, and a defined benefit pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role covering multiple locations with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values safety, diversity, and making a real difference.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in retail or operations required.
The predicted salary is between 46702 - 56963 £ per year.
Duration: Secondment or Fixed Term Contract of 2 years with the potential to extend or go permanent. (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).
Salary: £46,702 - £56,963
Join Network Rail! Where People and Connections Matter. At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.
Some Of Our Great Benefits:
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on train tickets.
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
- Plus more....
About The Role:
No two days are the same in this role. You'll work closely with retailers, station management teams and internal stakeholders to ensure stations provide a safe, efficient and commercially successful environment. You'll be visible across multiple stations, monitoring operational standards, reviewing financial and safety performance, supporting retailers to improve results and identifying opportunities to enhance the customer experience. You'll also play a key role in managing stakeholder relationships, implementing retail initiatives and ensuring compliance with operational requirements. This role covers the Northwestern Central region and requires someone who can confidently balance priorities across several locations while building strong working relationships.
A Little Bit About The Team:
You'll join a team of six Retail Business Partners, each responsible for a different region, reporting into the Senior Retail Business Partner. The team sits within the wider Property function and plays a key role in delivering Network Rail's Retail Strategy across the estate. It's a collaborative team that works closely with station management, property colleagues and retail partners to maximise commercial opportunities while ensuring stations remain safe, welcoming and customer focused.
Next Steps:
CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 1st December, subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes. We encourage you to review our Safety Vision, as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail. All external offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for someone with a strong commercial and operational mindset who enjoys building relationships and influencing a wide range of stakeholders. You may come from retail, property, hospitality, transport, facilities management or another customer-facing operational environment. Rail experience isn't essential, but you'll need experience of working in a fast-paced setting where safety, customer experience and commercial performance are important. The successful candidate will be organised, resilient and comfortable managing competing priorities across multiple locations. You'll have excellent communication and presentation skills, strong commercial awareness and the confidence to challenge and influence when needed. Experience of managing multi-site operations or working across geographically dispersed locations would be highly advantageous.
Essential Criteria:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Experience Of Working In a Retail/operations Environment.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
Desirable:
- Commercial/operational background.
Retail Business Partner in London employer: NETWORK RAIL
Network Rail is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while contributing to vital infrastructure projects in the UK. The supportive culture and commitment to maintaining accurate data ensure that your role as a Data & SharePoint Support Specialist is both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Business Partner in London
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Business Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to NETWORK RAIL:Don’t forget to personalise your application for NETWORK RAIL! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at NETWORK RAIL
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that NETWORK RAIL offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at NETWORK RAIL and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
