Head of Commercial

Arriva Group; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rail company is seeking a Head of Commercial to lead the Marketing and Revenue teams. This role involves developing strategies to enhance customer experience and drive growth. Candidates should have strong leadership skills and experience in revenue management. This is a hybrid position based in York.

Benefits

Travel scheme for employees and families

Rail Staff Travel Pass

Free physiotherapy sessions

Wellness Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing commercial teams.
• Experience in developing and owning revenue forecasts.
• Comfortable working with complex data.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing Commercial Team.
• Develop and deliver strategic commercial plans.
• Collaborate with operational teams for insights.
• Support new Open Access services development.
• Champion innovation in pricing and marketing.

Skills

Strong leadership and analytical skills

Experience in commercial strategy

Confident communicator

Hands-on experience in revenue management

Problem-solving and innovation mindset

Job description

Overview

Head of Commercial - Grand Central

Location: York (hybrid)

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday

Reporting to: Director – Grand Central

Are you ready to shape the future of open access rail travel? Grand Central is looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking Head of Commercial to lead our Marketing and Revenue teams and drive growth across our operations.

This is a unique opportunity to make a real impact in a business that values innovation, collaboration, and customer-centric thinking. If you\'re passionate about data-driven strategy, commercial excellence, and creating inclusive customer experiences, we want to hear from you!

Who We Are

Grand Central is a proudly independent train operator, part of the Arriva Group, running open-access services that connect communities across Yorkshire, the North East, and London. While we’re a smaller player in terms of scale, our ambition is anything but. We’re scaling up with purpose, guided by the people who make it happen. We’re focused on expanding our services, enhancing our commercial strategy, and delivering journeys that matter to the people and places we serve.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading a high-performing Commercial Team, including Marketing and Revenue functions.
• Developing and delivering strategic commercial plans to grow revenue and enhance customer experience.
• Collaborating with operational teams to ensure commercial insight drives decision-making.
• Supporting the development of new Open Access services and business cases.
• Championing innovation in pricing, retail, and marketing communications.
• Providing commercial guidance across Arriva Rail Services and contributing to future rail strategy.

For the full Job Description, contact us for details.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you bring energy, curiosity, and a collaborative mindset, you’ll thrive here.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong leadership and analytical skills, with significant experience in commercial strategy.
• Experience of developing and owning revenue forecasts and department budgets.
• Confident communicator, able to influence at all levels.
• Hands-on experience in revenue management, pricing, and marketing.
• Comfortable working with complex data to drive insight and performance.
• A positive, proactive approach to problem-solving and innovation.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Any experience working on new Open Access services would be a bonus but is not essential.

Why Join Us?

At Grand Central, we’re more than just a train company — we’re a close-knit team of passionate professionals with big ambitions. Growth is at the heart of our strategy, and we’re committed to developing our people alongside our business. We offer a supportive and inclusive culture, opportunities for career progression, and the chance to help shape the future of rail.

What’s in It for You?

• Travel scheme for employees, partners, and dependents (subject to scheme rules), currently covering all Arriva UK Trains TOCs.
• Rail Staff Travel Pass after passing probation, offering up to 75% discount on other TOCs.
• Eligibility to apply for a FIP Pass after 12 months of service, providing discounted European train travel.
• Friends and Family travel codes for Grand Central services.
• Free access to Headspace Premium for employees and up to five family members or friends.
• Generous Maternity & Adoption Leave policies of 26 weeks full basic salary and 13 weeks half basic salary.
• Cycle to Work scheme to support sustainable commuting.
• Death in service benefit of 4x annual salary.
• Free physiotherapy sessions to support physical wellbeing.
• Access to the Aviva Digicare+ App for digital health services.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential support.
• Free eye tests and contributions towards prescription glasses.
• Exclusive discounts through "The Village" on a wide range of retailers.
• Optima Workplace Wellbeing App for holistic health support.
• AXA Business Health Insurance (taxable benefit).
• Wellness Cash Plan (WPA) for everyday health expenses.

Sound like the right fit? Apply now and let’s start the journey.