Director – Market (North)

Department for Transport

Director – Market (North)

Remuneration: circa £120,000

Location: Birmingham or Leeds

Rail is at the heart of the Government’s sustainable transport strategy and essential to the nation’s economy. Passenger Services was established inside the Department for Transport in 2014 to ensure the Government meets its priorities for the passenger railway and ensure the operating contracts let by the Department achieve excellence of service for passengers and value for money for the taxpayer.

The role of Market Director (North) is accountable for the delivery of passenger rail contracts within the Rail Markets (North) Directorate of Passenger Services.  You will be responsible for Deputy Director Market Leads within the North and be responsible for the commercial and contractual delivery of National Rail Contracts and Service Agreements on behalf of the Secretary of State.  Collectively, the Markets (North) Directorate manages seven Train Operator Company (TOC) contracts in the North of England.  You will be responsible for ensuring robust management of the commercial and contractual relationships with these TOCs, building strong relationships with the senior teams from those TOCs as well as working closely with key external stakeholders such as Network Rail.

You will have up to 75 staff in the wider team under your leadership and will be responsible for ensuring the team has the capability and capacity to meet the challenges presented by major change in the UK’s rail system as it transitions towards Great British Railways (GBR).  Collaborative and partnership working is critical to delivering change and improving the passenger experience.

The Director Market Lead will be an individual with the ability to navigate government and rail industry dynamics as well as sound political acumen. Key requirements to achieve success include demonstrable commercial acumen developed within challenging environments, and an ability to provide strategic and operational direction and leadership to support colleagues.

We are looking for a dynamic professional with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence senior internal and external stakeholders such as ministers, rail executives and other organisations.  The role demands a candidate with confidence, authority, and resilience to lead colleagues through changing resource needs, focusing on both team development and recruitment in the immediate and short-term future. The successful candidate will challenge internal and external partners to create value for money for the taxpayer and a high quality offer for rail passengers.

A strong understanding of the rail industry is preferred, but ability to acquire this knowledge at pace is also valued and acceptable.

The Department for Transport has appointed executive search specialists Veredus to support us with this appointment. For further information about the role and to apply, please visit: www.veredus.co.uk  quoting reference 16237. 

Closing date: 23:55 GMT Sunday 9^th June 2024