Commercial Support Manager

First Bus; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted train travel

Free bus pass

Cycle to work scheme

Pension scheme

Share purchase discount

Job summary

First Bus in Leeds seeks a Commercial Support Manager to help deliver the commercial strategy. You will support the Commercial Director with project delivery, governance, and KPI reporting in a hybrid Leeds-based role.

You will engage with senior stakeholders across planning, scheduling, pricing, tendering, marketing and PR, driving improvements and performance while expanding your leadership capability in a fast-paced transport environment.

Qualifications

• Learning obsessed; A ‘go getter’ that seeks an opportunity to play a broad and visible role that enables their continued learning whilst providing a substantial contribution to commercial output.
• Commercial experience within transport, logistics, or a similar operational environment would be desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Confidence working with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach and a willingness to take ownership.

Responsibilities

• Budgeting, forecasting, reporting and commercial performance analysis.
• Assist with commercial projects and continuous improvement initiatives across network planning, scheduling, pricing, tendering, marketing and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate Commercial Leadership Team meetings, actions, KPI reporting and governance processes.
• Monitor commercial priorities, risks and deliverables to support effective decision-making.
• Prepare presentations, reports and briefing materials for senior stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities and business partners.
• Provide executive support to the Commercial Director, including diary management, communications, meeting coordination and recruitment support.
• Take ownership of cross-functional projects and contribute to the successful delivery of commercial objectives.

Skills

Commercial experience

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Lead with senior stakeholders

Discretion with confidential info

Proactive/self-motivated

Job description

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: Leeds - hybrid

We're looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Commercial Support Manager to join our team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of our commercial strategy.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with the Commercial Leadership Team, gaining exposure across a broad range of commercial disciplines including network planning, scheduling, commercial development, marketing, PR, stakeholder engagement and operational performance.

If you're a proactive problem-solver who enjoys variety, thrives on collaboration, and is eager to develop into a future commercial leader, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Commercial Support Manager, you'll provide critical project, process and administrative support to the Commercial Director while helping drive commercial performance across the business.

You'll support the delivery of commercial objectives and key performance indicators, contribute to process improvement initiatives, and work alongside senior stakeholders to ensure commercial activities are delivered effectively and efficiently.

This role offers exposure to a wide range of commercial activities and provides an excellent platform for someone looking to accelerate their career within a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

What You'll Be Doing

• Support budgeting, forecasting, reporting and commercial performance analysis.
• Assist with commercial projects and continuous improvement initiatives across network planning, scheduling, pricing, tendering, marketing and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate Commercial Leadership Team meetings, actions, KPI reporting and governance processes.
• Monitor commercial priorities, risks and key deliverables to support effective decision-making.
• Prepare presentations, reports and briefing materials for senior stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities and business partners.
• Provide executive support to the Commercial Director, including diary management, communications, meeting coordination and recruitment support.
• Take ownership of cross-functional projects and contribute to the successful delivery of commercial objectives.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is ambitious, curious and eager to learn, with the confidence to work alongside senior leaders and drive meaningful commercial outcomes.

• Learning obsessed; A ‘go getter’ that seeks an opportunity to play a broad and visible role that enables their continued learning whilst providing a substantial contribution to commercial output.
• Commercial experience within transport, logistics, or a similar operational environment would be desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Confidence working with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach and a willingness to take ownership.

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
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay

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.