Position Summary
The Commercial Development Manager is accountable for the development and delivery of profitable, sustainable commercial growth plans across the Local Business Unit (LBU). It is expressly a revenue generating role and will also collaborate with and support both the network and marketing teams across the LBU to provide a first-class Commercial function to the business. The Commercial Development Manager will research and identify new business opportunities, including new markets, growth areas, emerging trends and potential partnerships.
The Commercial Development Manager will act with integrity and role model First Bus values and behaviours (‘our way') across their business units and the broader business; and through effective leadership and stakeholder management, they will ensure the needs of local authorities, investors, customers, partners, and colleagues are met.
Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities
1. Support the Commercial Director to deliver the customer, pricing and growth strategy within the Local Business Unit, ensuring the business realises its market potential.
2. Support the SLT in budgeting, forecasting, and delivering revenue and passenger growth targets
3. Support the Marketing Team to deliver a comprehensive local marketing plan that meets its targeted ROI and delivers synergies across the LBU geographical footprint.
4. Work with the central revenue team to report on revenue and passenger performance in the LBU.
5. Use customer insights to identify revenue growth opportunities within the LBU
6. Identify opportunities and implement a business-to-business sales plan to deliver increased revenue from corporate partners.
7. In conjunction with the central commercial team and the LBU Commercial Director, develop and implement plans to transform the ticket purchasing process across the regional area in which First Bus operates, taking advantage of new and emerging technologies.
8. Be the Lead representation on multi-operator ticketing schemes and the development of multi-operator ticketing products.
9. Understand the wider economic market and identify commercial opportunities to generate new revenue streams.
10. Work with the PR Manager to develop a PR narrative for First Bus across the LBU geographical area, and to seek opportunities to maximise positive media coverage and commercial impact.
11. Support the Commercial Director to implement a comprehensive external stakeholder engagement plan, enhancing the company's reputation and gaining support from the local business and political community.
12. Be accountable for the ongoing management and development of the concessionary fares agreement.
13. Other duties commensurate with the role as may be deemed appropriate by the line manager.
Skills, Experience and Leadership behaviours required
Skills / Experience
14. Track record of commercial management experience in the transport sector
15. Good intellect with strong analytical insight and financial literacy skills, able to quickly assess viability of commercial opportunities
16. Demonstrable record of achievements in a commercial and or marketing environment
17. Able to challenge the status quo and influence thinking of experienced colleagues resistant to change
18. Ability to engage with and influence senior external stakeholders
19. Results-driven and strategically focussed, but with a strong ability to get into the detail when necessary
20. Good intellect with an analytical insight and financial literacy to quickly assess viability of business opportunities, with a “can-do” attitude to solving issues
21. Understand risk management, be willing to push boundaries and take calculated risks to deliver long term strategic goals
22. Appreciation of the key challenges facing the public transport sector and its customers is essential
23. Degree educated, ideally with further post-graduate business qualifications desirable
Key Performance Indicators
24. Revenue growth across the LBU
25. New business opportunities and partnerships successfully realised
Rewards & Benefits
26. Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
27. We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
28. Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
29. Cycle to work scheme
30. 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
31. Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
32. Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
33. Flexible working
We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.