Senior Bus Business Development Manager

DescriptionSalary: c75,000 per annum depending on skills, knowledge, and experienceLocation: Southwark(London) / HybridHybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements. The closing date for applications is Friday 1st March 2024 @ 23:59 hours London Buses carry the lion’s share of passengers across the capital, offering one of the most affordable and accessible means of travel for over five million journeys a day, across more than 600 routes. Our bus network is growing, is well connected, and served by around 9,000 vehicles, with our bus contracts worth well over 2 billion a year. We are in the middle of a programme of improvements, as set out in our Bus Action Plan. This makes Bus Operations one of the most dynamic and high-profile places to work, and a great place to get experience in an internationally recognised business.  We are looking for a senior manager to lead our Bus Business Development team. The team is flexible and dynamic and covers a range of areas such as tracking and reporting key milestones pledged in the Bus Action Plan, overseeing the refurbishments of nearly 1,000 New Routemaster buses, developing and implementing the Bus Security Programme and monitoring market competition across London.  This role also co-ordinates the Bus directorate's business planning and leads the implementation of commercial strategies and contracting policy, to ensure that the London Bus Network continues to deliver value for money and service quality that meet passenger expectations, the Mayor’s policy objectives and achieves TfL's KPIs and financial targets. We are in the public eye and engage with a variety of influential stakeholders and promote our activities to internal and external audiences. We blend strategy with delivery and are looking for an individual that can adapt quickly and work flexibly and collaboratively to meet changing business priorities. Please note - this is not a sales job! This role is a member of the Buses Senior Management Team and will have a wider role as a people leader, ensuring that the directorate of around 600 people continues to be an inclusive people centric team that represents the customers we serve.  Whilst we cannot guarantee it, we are open to a discussion on flexible working for the right candidate.OverviewTo develop and implement commercial strategies, and tendering and contracting policy, to ensure that the London Bus Network continues to deliver value for money. Development and delivery of relevant TfL Operations Outcomes and Mayoral manifesto commitments, including for example commitments in the Bus Action Plan and innovations agenda, and managing the varying demands and needs of key stakeholdersTo be an informed client to help ensure that the bus network service quality meets passenger expectations, the Mayor’s policy objectives and achieves TfL's Key Performance Indicators and financial targets.To work collaboratively with Planning, Delivery and Sponsorship Directorates, TfL’s Commercial and Legal teams and UK and International industry experts and trade bodies to ensure that best practice is adopted in bus service procurement, identifying and implementing opportunities for improvements and supporting pan TfL engagement where appropriate. Key Accountabilities Developing and leading implementation of specific TfL and Mayoral outcome workstreams over their full life cycle, such as improvements to bus contracts and wider contract management, bus driver pay and conditions, new models of operation and trials.Responsible for the strategic and commercial engagement with bus operators and industry suppliers in accordance with TfL’s current and future business priorities and plans.Acts as the Client / Senior Responsible Owner for the development of Bus Projects and Programmes, agreeing effective governance for the Project Board and ensures realisation of proposed benefitsDevelopment of bus contracts to ensure competitively procured contracts through a thorough and robust process.Leading Business Planning activity for the team, helping to set realistic and robust budgets and forecasts.    Maximising revenue across Buses and TfL by working across Bus Business Development to obtain best value for money, maximising opportunities and acting as TfL consultancy interface to obtain new business opportunities.Responsible for developing the competitive market for bus services in London, building strategic relationships with CEOs and Managing Directors of existing and potential bus operators. Managing and developing potential new entrants, market intelligence and mergers and acquisitions activity.Develop systems and processes to support and enhance bus service tendering, contracting and management activities; including the management of financial information, benchmarking and efficiencies and to assist in evaluating market trends, the levels of profitability within the bus market and industry to input into long term financial and business planning.Representing the Bus Operations directorate and managing relationships with external stakeholders, including The Mayor's office, the GLA, politicians and public bodies, trade unions, suppliers, and other external stakeholdersLeading and directing the work of the Bus Business Development team, developing staff capabilities and engagement to meet the needs of the directorate. Accountable for the safety and wellbeing of staff within the span of controlFinancial ImpactThe current cost of the bus network is approximately 2bn per annum. Even modest efficiencies through development of the market and tendering and contracting policies will have a significant financial impact.The postholder will have up to 3 direct reports but may manage other staff in the department and across TfL on a matrix basis.Key InterfacesKey internal interfaces include the Director of Buses, Buses Heads of Departments, the Engineering Directorate, Technology and Data Directorate, City Planning Directorate and Directors across TfL Operations and Customer and Strategy to ensure outcomes and work are aligned.External interfaces include the Mayor's Office, politicians, boroughs, Department for Transport officials, bus manufacturers, trades unions, Bus Operating Companies and Bus Operators to understand their perspectives, present our position and explain our strategies.The wider bus supply chain, third party component suppliers; Lobby groupsSkills, Knowledge & Experience  We are looking for a broad range of Skills, Knowledge, and Experience from the list below: Skills Demonstrable ability to influence at all levels - obtaining buy-in from key stakeholders Proven ability to coordinate large-scale portfolios of projects in a matrix environment - clienting other departments or individuals to contribute to a holistic programme of worksStrong track record of engaging and motivating people at all level- within own team and across the organisation and outside - fostering a positive culture within TfL and Transport PartnersProven ability to analyse complex information to produce recommendations for Board level or equivalentExcellent organisational and programme management skills and ability to lead a programme of activityExcellent communication skills, report writing and presentation skills, ability to produce good quality briefingsAbility to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstancesKnowledge Good understanding of large complex operational transport operations services, with demanding customer and stakeholder groups Good understanding of strategic goals of TfL, TfL Operations, the bus network & wider political landscape Broad knowledge of external commercial developments and emerging best practice in the fields of procurement, commercial contract management and supplier relationship management A comprehensive understanding of European and UK Procurement Law Good supplier sourcing and contract development and/or strong general commercial background Knowledge of managing high profile multi-disciplinary work streams to tight deadlines Project/Programme Management methodology Experience Track record of delivering complex contractual issues and commercial change programmes that have many stakeholders.Significant experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships in a fast-moving political landscape, challenging, negotiating and influencing at all levelsExtensive experience of achieving results through others including influencing staff to take a more proactive approach to resolving issues raisedExtensive experience of producing good quality reports, briefings and data to influence senior stakeholders  Comprehensive experience of public transport operating practices, familiar with the bus operating environment.Equality, diversity and inclusionWe are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.Application Process Please apply using your CV and a covering letter. We recommend that you consider the motivations, skills, knowledge and experience required for this role and ensure your CV and cover letter outlines where you meet these criteria. PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.Benefits In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow.  Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:Final salary pension schemeFree travel for you on the TfL network Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home to work or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allowPrivate healthcare discounted scheme (optional)Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme Retail, health, leisure and travel offers Discounted Eurostar travelJob Field: Senior ManagerOrganization: Contracts and Tendering