Commercial Manager

First Bus; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental benefits

Discounted travel for you and family

Cycle to work scheme

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Job summary

First Bus is seeking a commercially driven Commercial Manager to join the Regional Bus team. The role is hybrid and based from a Glasgow, Aberdeen or York depot with regular travel.

You will drive commercial performance, influence pricing and customer propositions, and translate strategy into local market plans, reporting to the Head of Commercial. Strong analytical and stakeholder collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a commercial, analytical, or performance-focused role.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Experience supporting budgets, forecasts, or reporting.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Strong organisational skills and confidence to challenge when needed.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage performance across routes, depots, or corridors with focus on revenue, passenger volumes and yield.
• Analyse trends, identify risks and opportunities, and lead performance reviews.
• Deliver targeted commercial interventions to improve results.
• Provide inputs into budgets and forecasts.
• Identify new revenue opportunities across markets and partnerships.
• Lead the delivery of local market plans and ensure measurable results.
• Collaborate with Network Planning on route performance and pricing initiatives.
• Support delivery of partnerships, bids and contract renewals.
• Represent the business in discussions with local stakeholders and authorities.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder collaboration

Data analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Job description

About First Bus

Are you ready to advance your career with one of the UK's leading bus operators? Join a forward-thinking company that embraces cutting-edge bus technology, from innovative mobile apps to environmentally friendly vehicles. We are passionate about delivering passenger journeys that are sustainable, comfortable, and efficient. We are at the forefront of innovation in the industry, connecting communities and shaping the future of public transport.

Location

Glasgow, Aberdeen or York based (with regular travel)

About the Role

We're looking for a commercially driven and analytical Commercial Manager to join our Regional Bus team. This is a hybrid role and you will be based from either our Glasgow, Aberdeen or York depot.

This is a fantastic opportunity to drive commercial performance and customer proposition within Regional Bus at a defined market level, translating strategy into tangible commercial results. The Commercial Manager contributes to commercial plans, leading the delivery of these within local markets.

Reporting to the Head of Commercial, the role owns day-to-day commercial execution, working closely with Service Delivery teams, Network colleagues and Centres of Excellence to improve revenue, passenger volumes and route performance.

What You'll Be Doing

Driving Commercial Performance

• Own and manage performance across routes, depots, or corridors - focusing on revenue, passenger volumes, and yield
• Analyse trends, identify risks and opportunities, and lead performance reviews
• Deliver targeted commercial interventions to improve results
• Provide accurate inputs into budgets and forecasts
• Identify new revenue opportunities across markets and partnerships

Delivering Market Plans

• Lead the delivery of local market plans and ensure measurable results
• Work with specialist teams to implement initiatives and overcome challenges
• Manage and evaluate trials and pilots to grow demand and revenue

Supporting Network & Pricing Strategy

• Collaborate with Network Planning teams on route performance and optimisation
• Implement local pricing and ticketing initiatives
• Help shape and communicate customer propositions using insight and data

Stakeholder & Operational Collaboration

• Act as a key commercial partner to Service Delivery teams
• Support delivery of partnership schemes, bids, and contract renewals
• Represent the business in discussions with local stakeholders and authorities

Governance & Best Practice

• Ensure compliance with commercial processes and governance
• Maintain clear records and elevate risks where needed

What We're Looking For

We're seeking someone who combines commercial awareness with strong analytical thinking and stakeholder collaboration skills.

You'll bring

• Proven experience in a commercial, analytical, or performance-focused role within a large-complex organisation
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills
• Experience supporting budgets, forecasts, or reporting
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams
• Strong organisational skills and confidence to challenge and elevate when needed

Salary

£55,000 plus up to 15% annual bonus

Rewards

Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support

• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Flexible working

Equal Opportunities

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities, and people. We welcome applications from all.