As the Head of Construction & Major Projects at GB Railfreight (GBRf), you will lead a dynamic team responsible for managing customer relationships, contract performance, and financial outcomes. Your strategic vision will be instrumental in driving the commercial success of GBRf, optimising operational performance, and fostering a culture of excellence within the team. You will collaborate closely with senior management and various departments, including Operations, Assets, and Finance, to ensure the delivery of high-quality service and customer satisfaction. This leadership role requires strong commercial acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to inspire and develop your team. This role can be based in our London, Peterborough or Doncaster office (and will involve considerable travel). Closing date: 21st April Strategic Leadership Develop and execute long-term strategies to build sustainable and profitable relationships with all current and future customers. Lead the development and delivery of plans to ensure customer satisfaction across all sectors. Foster a high-performance culture within the team, promoting collaboration and continuous improvement in line with GBRf’s core values of Professionalism, Support, Communication, Trust, and Enjoyment. Oversee all contractual discussions with customers and be responsible for accurately forecasting revenue from contracts. Contract Management Lead and manage companywide engagement with customers to develop long-term, sustainable, and profitable relationships. Ensure customer objectives and business plans are recorded, communicated, and understood throughout the business. Coordinate internal functions to ensure delivery in line with the terms of existing sales contracts. Negotiate amendments, variations, and extensions to existing sales contracts as required. Monitor customer perception of our performance via regular customer review meetings, and coordinate the resolution of any emerging issues to the satisfaction of the customer. Customer Relations Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, ensuring customer needs are met and exceeded. Act as the primary point of contact for major clients and represent GBRf at industry events and meetings. Financial Oversight Ensure accurate invoicing of services in line with the terms of our sales contracts. Identify, quote, and secure new work with existing customers to deliver growth from existing sales contracts. Identify and coordinate the delivery of continuous improvement projects to improve the profitability of existing sales contracts. Prepare annual budgets and quarterly forecasts with the support of the finance team. Performance Monitoring Lead the reporting of contract performance via oral and written presentations to senior management. Analyse performance data and metrics to assess the effectiveness of commercial strategies and recommend actions for improvement. Team Development Lead, manage, and develop the commercial team in line with GBRf’s core values. Mentor and develop team members, providing training and support to enhance their skills and career growth. Ensure effective team collaboration and communication, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment. Essential Skills: Leadership Experience: Proven track record in senior commercial roles, managing contracts, projects, and stakeholder relationships. Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of contract management and financial performance optimisation. Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute commercial strategies aligned with business goals. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with good presentation and report writing abilities. Negotiation Skills: Skilled in negotiation and the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation. Interpersonal Skills: Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders. Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex data and provide actionable insights. Flexibility: Willingness to travel as required. Desirable Skills: Educational Qualifications: A degree and/or a relevant qualification is desirable. Industry Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of railway operations and GBRf contracts. Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and industry-specific tools. Project Management: Experience in managing projects within the rail freight industry. Driving Licence: Clean UK driving licence. Our Values Professionalism: Safety and security are paramount, forming the foundation of our high-achieving safety culture. Support: We prioritise the well-being of our people, encouraging them to support one another. Communication: Transparency is valued by both colleagues and customers. Trust and Empowerment: Openness and honesty foster trust and confidence, leading to strong relationships. Enjoyment: We promote a positive and enjoyable work environment. Join Us Join GB Railfreight and lead our commercial team in shaping the future of rail freight operations in the UK. If you embody our values and possess a passion for driving commercial success, we invite you to apply for the Head of Department position today.