Senior Ads Sales Planning & Operations Manager

Senior Ads Sales Planning & Operations Manager

Full-Time No working from home possible
Trainline plc

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive sales performance and strategy for Trainline Media, focusing on revenue growth.
  • Company: Join Trainline, Europe's leading rail app, committed to sustainable travel.
  • Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, work-from-abroad options, and generous learning budgets.
  • Other info: Embrace a hybrid work model and thrive in a diverse, inclusive environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of travel with innovative solutions.
  • Qualifications: Experience in sales strategy and strong analytical skills required.

We are champions of rail, inspired to build a greener, more sustainable future of travel. Trainline enables millions of travellers to find and book the best value tickets across carriers, fares, and journey options through our highly rated mobile app, website, and B2B partner channels.

Now Europe’s number 1 downloaded rail app, with over 135 million monthly visits and £6.3 billion in annual ticket sales, we collaborate with 270+ rail and coach companies in over 40 countries. We want to create a world where travel is as simple, seamless, eco-friendly and affordable as it should be. Today, we're a FTSE 250 company driven by our incredible team of over 1,000 Trainliners from 50+ nationalities, based across London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Edinburgh and Madrid. With our focus on growth in the UK and Europe, now is the perfect time to join us on this high-speed journey.

Introducing the Trainline Media Team: Trainline Media has proven advertiser demand and is now focused on building a larger, more predictable and repeatable sales engine. This role is central to that next phase, improving how the team plans, prioritises and manages sales performance so that sellers are focused on the right advertisers, generating high-quality opportunities and taking the actions needed to deliver revenue goals.

You will act as the commercial operating partner to Trainline Media's sales leadership and sales team, working backwards from revenue targets to define the pipeline, prospecting and sales activity required to deliver the plan. This is a hands‑on, individual-contributor role with no direct reports, where success depends on combining rigorous analysis with strong commercial judgement, and on influencing experienced sellers without managing them directly. You will work closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Client Success to remove barriers to revenue.

In this role as the Senior Ads Sales Planning & Operations Manager, you will:

  • Translate annual and quarterly revenue targets into clear pipeline, prospecting and account-planning requirements, and run the sales-performance reviews that keep the team focused on the right actions.
  • Define and track the leading and lagging indicators used to manage commercial performance, giving leadership a clear view of capacity, productivity and revenue risk.
  • Build and maintain a prioritised prospect universe across advertisers, agencies and verticals, helping each seller focus on the accounts most likely to convert.
  • Own pipeline standards, forecasting methodology and commercial reporting, improving the quality of opportunity data in Salesforce and giving leadership an honest view of committed, likely and upside revenue.
  • Analyse where the team spends its time and reallocate effort toward the highest-value selling activity.
  • Introduce AI-assisted tools and reusable frameworks that sharpen pitches, personalise outreach at scale and simplify repetitive sales processes.
  • Partner with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Client Success to remove barriers to revenue and share learnings that improve how the team sells.
  • Build analytical dashboards that track sales effectiveness, productivity and the impact of the tools and processes you introduce.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

  • Experience in sales strategy, sales operations, revenue operations or commercial planning, ideally within media, advertising or adtech.
  • Strong analytical skills, with fluency in pipeline, forecasting, conversion and productivity metrics.
  • Hands‑on comfort with Salesforce and BI (business intelligence) reporting tools.
  • A track record of turning revenue targets into concrete plans, and using data to decide where a sales team should focus its time.
  • Real commercial judgement, understanding what makes a pitch land and helping sellers sharpen their story as well as their numbers.
  • Practical curiosity about AI and automation, ideally with examples of using new tools to make a sales team faster and more effective.
  • The credibility and influence to challenge and guide experienced sellers without managing them directly.
  • A highly organised, self-directed style, and genuine comfort operating as a hands‑on individual contributor.

Enjoy fantastic perks like private healthcare & dental insurance, a generous work from abroad policy, 2-for-1 share purchase plans, an EV Scheme to further reduce carbon emissions, extra festive time off, and excellent family-friendly benefits. We prioritise career growth with clear career paths, transparent pay bands, personal learning budgets, and regular learning days. Jump on board and supercharge your career from day one!

We're operating a hybrid model and ask that Trainliners work from the office a minimum of 60% of their time over a 12-week period. We also have a 28-day Work from Abroad policy.

Our values represent the things that matter most to us and what we live and breathe every day, in everything we do:

  • Think Big - We're building the future of rail
  • Own It - We focus on every customer, partner and journey
  • Travel Together - We're one team
  • Do Good - We make a positive impact

We know that having a diverse team makes us better and helps us succeed. And we mean all forms of diversity - gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, nationality and diversity of thought. That's why we're committed to creating inclusive places to work, where everyone belongs and differences are valued and celebrated.

Senior Ads Sales Planning & Operations Manager employer: Trainline plc

Trainline plc is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in the heart of Greater London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, the company provides ample opportunities for career advancement while promoting a flexible hybrid working model. Joining Trainline means being part of a forward-thinking team that values innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the Tech and Data sectors.

Trainline plc

Contact Details:

Trainline plc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Ads Sales Planning & Operations Manager

Show Your Creative Side

In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Trainline plc and show them what you can bring to the table.

Engage in Marketing Communities

Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Trainline plc are looking for.

Leverage Social Media

Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Trainline plc on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.

Attend Industry Events

Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Trainline plc. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Ads Sales Planning & Operations Manager

Sales Strategy
Sales Operations
Revenue Operations
Commercial Planning
Analytical Skills
Pipeline Management
Forecasting

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Trainline plc. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.

Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.

Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!

Demonstrate Your Understanding of Trainline plc:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Trainline plc’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Trainline plc

Showcase Your Creative Campaigns

Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Trainline plc will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.

Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out

If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.

Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

At Trainline plc, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing

As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.