At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and manage relationships in the retail market.
- Company: Join Rail Delivery Group, a leader in rail industry innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 75% rail travel discount, 30 days leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal development and career progression.
- Why this job: Shape the future of rail retail while driving revenue growth and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial acumen and experience in B2B/B2C partnerships required.
The predicted salary is between 61091 - 82400 £ per year.
- Closing Date for Applications
- 23rd September 2026
- Salary Range
- £61,091- £82,400
What is the purpose of this job?
Rail Delivery Group is looking for an experienced Retail Partnerships Lead to shape and manage our relationships with the diverse third-party retail market.
This is a senior and influential role with responsibility for building strong strategic partnerships, whilst leading retailer licence management and ensuring that Third Party Retailers are appropriately licensed, accredited and compliant with their commercial and operational obligations.
You will be accountable for revenue growth through partnerships, commercial outcomes and the effective management of a diverse and competitive retail market.
What can I expect to do in this job?
Leading a specialist team, you will set clear direction, establish measurable performance indicators and ensure delivery against agreed commercial and operational objectives.
You will also provide expert insight into the third-party retail market and help shape strategies that support the Fares, Ticketing & Retail programme and the future Great British Railways.
You will work closely with third-party retailers, train operators, Department for Transport, the regulator and industry partners to support revenue growth, improve the customer experience and create a thriving retail market that encourages more customers to travel by rail.
We are looking for a commercially-focused individual with strong experience of leading strategic partnerships, who can operate effectively at all levels within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
You will enjoy building trusted senior relationships, leading teams, navigating complex commercial agreements and turning strategic objectives into measurable outcomes.
You will be representing the organisation externally and working collaboratively across legal, finance, accreditation, settlement, service delivery, data, programme and digital teams.
We are less interested in ticking every box and more interested in finding someone who can make a positive contribution to our team.
You'll likely bring
Essential experience and skills
- Strong commercial acumen and a focus on delivering tangible outcomes, including revenue growth and an improved customer experience.
- Proven experience in B2C and B2B partnerships, distribution management, business development or account management.
- Experience of leading complex commercial negotiations and managing complex commercial agreements.
- Demonstrable accountability for commercial outcomes and strategic delivery.
- Experience of establishing robust processes, delivering change and working successfully across organisational boundaries.
- A strong track record of engaging and influencing senior internal and external stakeholders, including government, regulatory and representative bodies.
- Proven experience of cross-functional working to achieve commercial objectives.
- People-management experience and strong leadership skills.
- A customer-focused approach.
- Experience of representing an organisation externally within a complex stakeholder environment. Desirable experience
- Experience of the rail industry.
- An understanding of rail retailing and its commercial framework.
- Experience of developing or implementing new strategies.
- Knowledge of the stakeholder landscape surrounding Rail Delivery Group and the Fares, Ticketing & Retail programme.
- Experience of working through organisational transition.
- Experience of influencing government and regulatory stakeholders.
Why Work for RDG?
We offer a highly competitive package, including
- 75% discount on rail travel (for work and leisure), plus international rail discounts
- 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
- Two Personal Development Days are granted to employees annually
- Interest-free Season Ticket Loan for commuting costs
- Enhanced family leave – 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave
- Pension scheme – up to 8.64% employer contribution
- Subsidised Private Medical Insurance (Vitality PPP) and Health Cash Plan (Healthshield)
- Access to our flexible benefits portal - a central hub for accessing retail discounts, shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment perks
- Flexible working arrangements available
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Retail Partnerships Lead employer: Rail Delivery Group
At Rail Delivery Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As a strategic HR Partner, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful people initiatives within the dynamic rail industry, while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a commitment to employee well-being. Located in the heart of the UK railway sector, our organisation offers a unique chance to shape the future of rail transport, making your work both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Partnerships Lead
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Rail Delivery Group, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Rail Delivery Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Partnerships Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Rail Delivery Group, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Rail Delivery Group and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Rail Delivery Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rail Delivery Group
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
