Head of Fleet Contracts

Avanti West Coast; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Final salary pension

Free travel for you and family

Privilege Travel card

Holiday entitlement 30 days (rising to

10 free journeys on other First Group}

Job summary

Avanti West Coast is seeking an experienced Head of Fleet Contracts to lead the strategic and commercial management of the fleet contractual portfolio. You will head the Fleet Commercial team and oversee rolling stock leasing, train service agreements, maintenance and fleet projects.

In this role you’ll maximise value, manage commercial risk and ensure contractual arrangements support safe, reliable and cost-effective fleet operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive contract management and commercial leadership in rail or similar industry.
• Experience with rolling stock contracts, leasing and maintenance.
• Knowledge of Train Service Agreements and Rolling Stock Leases.
• Experience handling claims and disputes involving rolling stock and/or Network Rail.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management.
• Experience leading specialist teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Fleet Commercial team.
• Own the fleet contract and supplier management strategy.
• Lead negotiations, contract changes, claims and disputes.
• Manage relationships with DfT, ROSCOs, OEMs, Network Rail, and suppliers.
• Drive supplier performance and cost efficiency.
• Oversee budgets, forecasting and supplier costs.
• Provide strategic commercial advice to Fleet Director and leadership team.
• Ensure commercial governance and risk management.

Skills

Contract management

Commercial leadership

Rail industry experience

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Education

Law or Engineering degree

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Head of Fleet Contracts to lead the strategic and commercial management of our fleet contractual portfolio.

You’ll lead the Fleet Commercial team and oversee key contracts covering rolling stock leasing, train service agreements, maintenance and fleet projects.

You’ll play a key role in maximising value, managing commercial risk and ensuring our contractual arrangements support safe, reliable and cost-effective fleet operations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Fleet Commercial team.
• Own the fleet contract and supplier management strategy.
• Lead complex negotiations, contract changes, claims and disputes.
• Manage strategic relationships with DfT, ROSCOs, OEMs, Network Rail, maintenance providers and suppliers.
• Drive supplier performance, commercial value and continuous improvement.
• Oversee contractual expenditure, budgets, forecasting and supplier costs.
• Provide strategic commercial advice to the Fleet Director and Fleet & Engineering Leadership Team.
• Ensure strong commercial governance, risk management and contractual compliance.

About you

You’ll have:

• Extensive contract management and commercial leadership experience within rail or a similar complex industry.
• Strong experience of rolling stock contracts, including leasing, maintenance and modifications.
• Knowledge of Train Service Agreements, Fleet Operations and Rolling Stock Leases.
• Experience managing claims and dispute resolution involving rolling stock and/or Network Rail.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management and financial skills.
• Proven experience leading and developing specialist teams.
• A degree in Law, Engineering, Commercial Management or a relevant discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

This is a high-profile opportunity to shape the commercial strategy behind Avanti West Coast’s fleet and work with senior stakeholders across the rail industry.

As well as working with a fantastic team you will also receive:

• Final salary pension
• Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
• Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
• 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operators

At Avanti West Coast, we value the differences that make each of us outstanding! Avanti West Coast recognises the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability, and sexual orientation.

Everyone who joins Avanti West Coast becomes part of our close-knit team. We're committed to ensuring that Avanti West Coast is inclusive, a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are encouraged, recognised, accepted and put to good use.