About the team… The Fares, Ticketing and Retail programme aims to transform the customer retail experience and delivering a rail retail revolution. We are working across the industry to make retailing simpler and better for customers, improve the railway’s profitability and establish a retailing environment where continuous improvement is easy. This is a once in a generation opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary team delivering on improving the things which customers regularly identify as a priority to fix. You may have already seen some of our work: Pay As You Go pilots announced in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and ‘Simpler Fares’ trials on some long distance routes. Our projects aim to give customers the confidence that they can easily book a journey in a way which best suits them, pay the best value price, access accurate travel information and receive exceptional aftercare service. We believe an excellent customer retail experience is key to ensuring long term sustainability of our railways. About the Role…. We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Strategic Planning and Commercial Director to lead the development and delivery of the Fares, Ticketing, and Retail (FTR) Programme. This pivotal role requires a senior leader with a proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and commercial delivery, who can drive industry-wide transformation and deliver significant, long-term value across the rail sector. As the Strategic Planning and Commercial Director, you will oversee the full spectrum of strategic, financial, and commercial activities within the FTR Programme. You will lead the development of innovative commercial strategies, manage complex procurements, foster strong stakeholder relationships, and ensure robust governance and financial planning across the programme’s initiatives. If you're a leader with exceptional strategic foresight, financial acumen, and a passion for transforming industries, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of fares, ticketing, and retail within the UK rail sector. What you’ll bring… Director level experience of successfully leading and motivating a large cross-functional team in a complex, matrix organisation, with the ability to create and communicate a vision and strategy effectively and inspire passion and energy within teams. Very strong understanding, experience and qualifications of financial, commercial and procurement disciplines of functions or programmes to the value of multi hundreds of millions. Outstanding track record of driving innovative and collaborative commercial arrangements in a complex environment, underpinning policy and direction setting. Understanding and experience of rail fares ticketing and retail regulation Strong understanding of TOC P&Ls and ability to set relevant targets and direction. Strong understanding of strategy development and implementation, with proven ability of delivering strategic change programmes Strong experience of driving customer-focused changes (both from an operational and cultural perspective), with a passion for improving customer experience. Highly adept and persuasive communicator with the ability to negotiate, influence at an executive level and broker relationships with national and regional stakeholders, with an ability to present and articulate complex matters in a simple and effective way to a range of stakeholders, and to gain TOC, RDG, DfT and HM Treasury buy-in and commitment. Proven ability to build and develop business cases in line with government guidance. Strong knowledge and experience of various programme and project and quality management approaches and principles This role is available on a Fixed Term Contract and Secondment basis for 12 months. Although this post has been advertised externally, we welcome internal applicants. For this specific role, there is an expectation to be able to come to our London or Derby office for a minimum of two days per week. We encourage people to work flexibly and we're open to hybrid working We’ll also try our best to adapt the recruitment process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities.