Senior Commercial Policy & Negotiation Lead (GBR)

Can you shape commercial policy?

Do you enjoy engaging in evidence-based debate with a range of stakeholders?

Have you driven difficult, high-profile work forward at pace?

If so, wed love to hear from you!

Be part of the team shaping the future commercial design of Great British Railways (GBR), one of the governments key manifesto commitments and work that will fundamentally reshape the UK rail industry.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the Kings birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DfTc Policy roles: Policy opportunities at the Department for Transport - Department for Transport Careers

Lead the strategic design, negotiation and approval for GBRs non-legislative financial framework; including the tools, delegations and controls required to underpin its financial operation, manage budgetary and financial pressures, pursue opportunities, and deliver meaningful benefits for passengers and taxpayers. Collaborate across DfT, industry (including Network Rail, the ORR and DfTO) and external stakeholders (including UKGI and HMT), to interrogate framework options, inform decision-making, develop a negotiation strategy, and gain support for cross-Whitehall approvals.

Your responsibilities will include, but arent limited to:

1. Lead the design and approval of GBR's non-legislative financial framework, chairing cross-government and industry engagement, resolving complex policy and stakeholder issues, setting negotiation priorities, and aligning delivery with the Railways Bill and necessary approvals processes.
2. Support the successful passage of the Railways Bill through Parliament by leading funding and finance input, managing senior stakeholder relationships across Whitehall and industry, and ensuring the Bill's funding provisions are effectively developed, understood and implemented.
3. Lead the next phase of development of GBR's Integrated Business Plan (i.e. GBRs future business planning process and how it supports funding), driving cross-industry alignment, securing stakeholder buy-in, and ensuring integration with wider rail reform, existing financial settlement, and DfTO/Network Rail integration.
4. Ensure the timely and quality development of other workstreams, including but not limited to: insurance and debt.
5. Support other parts of DfT (RRD, GBR Design, NR Shareholding, NR Sponsorship, Future DfT) as they input work in support of the set-up of GBR.
6. Lead a team consisting of x2 SEOs. Ensure their wellbeing, provide mentoring/coaching and leadership, solve problems on the teams behalf. Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Essential qualifications/licenses:

1. A valid passport for international travel
2. A full UK driving license

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Required experience:

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Significant rail industry experience, with strong negotiation skills and a proven track record of leading complex policy development across commercial, operational and financial areas.
• Experience leading through change and uncertainty, demonstrating resilience and the ability to support teams to adapt and thrive within a fast-paced and evolving environment, particularly in the context of Rail Reform.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience working collaboratively with senior leaders across organisations such as DfT, HM Treasury and Network Rail to drive outcomes and build consensus where differing views exist.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc roles only: DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.