Head of Commercial - Distribution in London

Head of Commercial - Distribution in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Trainline

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the commercial strategy for Trainline's Distribution business and inspire a high-performing team.
  • Company: Join Trainline, Europe's number 1 rail app, committed to sustainable travel.
  • Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, generous leave, and clear career growth paths.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and innovation.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of travel while making a positive impact on the environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in senior commercial roles with strong leadership and negotiation skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

About us
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. Great journeys start with Trainline. 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 Trainline Partner Solutions
Trainline Partner Solutions (TPS) is the B2B arm of Trainline, providing industry-leading rail technology and distribution solutions that make the complex world of rail retailing simpler for businesses across Europe. Our products power travel management companies, online booking tools, travel agencies and rail operators, helping them connect customers with rail in a seamless, efficient and scalable way.

As our Head of Commercial, Distribution, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future growth of our Distribution business. Reporting to the General Manager and sitting within the TPS leadership team, you’ll define and deliver the commercial strategy for one of Trainline’s most important growth areas. Working closely with leaders across Product, Technology, Operations and Finance, you’ll combine strategic thinking, commercial leadership and relationship management to drive sustainable growth, strengthen partner relationships and ensure our teams deliver an exceptional experience for our customers and partners.

In this role as the Head of Commercial, Distribution, you will...

  • Own and deliver the commercial strategy for existing TMC clients, setting ambitious revenue and growth targets in partnership with the General Manager and ensuring the team is aligned and empowered to deliver against them.
  • Lead, develop and inspire the Account Management team working alongside a multi-disciplinary team spanning Integration, Sales, Product and Service Desk, creating a culture of accountability, high performance and continuous improvement.
  • Build and own strategic relationships with key distribution partners and clients at the most senior level, serving as the executive sponsor for our most important accounts and ensuring long-term partnership health.
  • Define and drive the go-to-market strategy for Distribution alongside our Sales team and identify new commercial opportunities with existing clients, shaping the pricing and proposition, and leading on contract negotiations for strategic renewals.
  • Act as the voice of Distribution internally, working cross-functionally with Product, Technology, Operations, Sales and Finance to ensure the commercial roadmap is prioritised and delivered in a way that meets partner needs and drives mutual growth.
  • Act as the voice of Distribution externally both with clients and at industry events.
  • Oversee the operational performance of the Distribution commercial function, ensuring service excellence, SLA adherence and robust processes across the integration and service desk teams.
  • Report regularly to the General Manager and TPS leadership on commercial performance, pipeline, risk and strategic initiatives, bringing clarity and confidence to senior stakeholders on the health of the Distribution business.

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

  • Proven track record in a senior commercial leadership role, ideally within a B2B technology, travel, or distribution environment, with clear experience of owning P&L and driving revenue growth.
  • Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing commercial teams, with the ability to set direction, inspire action and build a culture of excellence and accountability.
  • Significant experience in complex contract negotiation and commercial structuring, with the confidence and credibility to represent Trainline at the most senior levels with partners and clients.
  • Strong strategic thinking capability, able to translate market insight and commercial data into clear, actionable plans that deliver sustainable growth across the Distribution portfolio.
  • Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to navigate and influence complex internal and external relationships, build executive-level trust, and drive alignment across competing priorities.
  • Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams encompassing commercial, technical and operational functions, with the ability to bring diverse capabilities together behind a common commercial agenda.
  • Commercially and financially astute, with the ability to interpret performance data, identify trends, and make data-informed decisions that balance short-term delivery with long-term strategic goals.
  • Highly credible communicator and presenter, with the executive presence to represent Trainline Partner Solutions at industry forums, partner events and board-level conversations.
  • Entrepreneurial mind-set and creative problem-solving skills – a natural leader who thrives on ambiguity, drives change proactively, and consistently finds new ways to unlock value for Trainline and its partners.
  • A collaborative, inclusive leader who builds strong relationships internally and sets the tone for a team culture that is ambitious, client-obsessed and grounded in Trainline’s values.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distil complex commercial and technical topics into clear narratives for a range of audiences.
  • Thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth technology or B2B commercial environment, comfortable with ambiguity and energised by the challenge of building something significant.
  • Enthusiastic, resilient and highly motivated – a visible leader who brings energy and optimism to the team while maintaining sound commercial judgement under pressure.

More information:
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 everyday, 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.

Interested in finding out more about what it's like to work at Trainline? Why not check us out on LinkedIn, Instagram and Glassdoor!

Head of Commercial - Distribution in London employer: Trainline

Trainline is an exceptional employer that champions a greener future for travel, offering a dynamic work culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide clear career paths, personal learning budgets, and generous benefits including private healthcare and a flexible work-from-abroad policy. Join our diverse team in London and be part of a mission-driven company that values every journey and empowers its employees to make a positive impact.

Trainline

Contact Details:

Trainline Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial - Distribution in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks at Trainline. A friendly chat can open doors you didn’t even know existed!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research Trainline’s values and recent projects. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission of making travel simpler and more sustainable. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they’re about.

Tip Number 3

Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your enthusiasm and fit for the role. It shows you’re genuinely interested and proactive.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Trainline team and contributing to our exciting journey ahead.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial - Distribution in London

Commercial Strategy Development
P&L Management
Revenue Growth
Team Leadership
Contract Negotiation
Stakeholder Management
Strategic Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Travel:When you're writing your application, let your love for travel shine through! We want to see how you connect with our mission of making travel simple and sustainable. Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight your enthusiasm for the industry.

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the Head of Commercial - Distribution role. Highlight your relevant experience in commercial leadership and B2B environments. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive growth and manage relationships.

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your achievements and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our Trainline family!

How to prepare for a job interview at Trainline

Know Your Numbers

As the Head of Commercial, Distribution, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L and revenue growth. Brush up on key metrics related to commercial performance and be ready to discuss how you've driven growth in previous roles. This shows you’re not just a leader but a numbers person too!

Showcase Your Leadership Style

You’ll be leading a multi-disciplinary team, so it’s crucial to articulate your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've inspired high-performing teams and fostered a culture of accountability. Highlighting your ability to motivate and develop others will resonate well with the interviewers.

Master the Art of Negotiation

Given the importance of complex contract negotiations in this role, come prepared with specific examples of successful negotiations you've led. Discuss your strategies for building trust and aligning interests with partners, as this will showcase your credibility and influence at senior levels.

Be the Voice of Distribution

Understand the current landscape of the rail distribution market and be ready to discuss how you would represent Trainline externally. Share your thoughts on industry trends and how they could impact the business. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to act as a spokesperson for the company.