Network Development Manager

Arriva UK Bus Ltd; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva UK Bus Ltd seeks a Network Development Lead to optimize network performance across their business. This strategic role involves providing expertise to regional teams, enhancing routes, and leading projects that drive improvement. Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to transforming public transport, offering flexible working and development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working

Development opportunities

Culture that values ideas and contribution

Qualifications

• Significant experience in network planning, transport scheduling, or commercial transport roles.
• Strategic mindset with strong analytical capability.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic challenge and expert insight to Area Teams during network reviews.
• Lead the development and governance of network planning.
• Support franchise bids and major tenders with route design.

Skills

Analytical capability

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Process improvement

Solutions-focused approach

Tools

Omnibus

Hastus

Job description

Are you passionate about delivering high-performing, customer-focused transport networks? Do you thrive on using data, insights, and innovation to challenge the status quo and drive improvement? We’re looking for a Network Development Lead to join our Commercial team and play a pivotal role in optimising our network performance across the business.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you'll provide subject matter expertise to regional Network Managers, helping them to challenge and refine existing services while spotting new commercial opportunities. You'll be a key player in ensuring consistency, rigour and innovation in how we review and develop our networks – from enhancing high-performing routes to turning around underperformers.

You’ll also play a strategic role in major bids and contract opportunities, either by providing direct support or by backfilling business-as-usual responsibilities. You’ll help shape route design, introduce new tools and methodologies, and embed best practice across the function.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing strategic challenge and expert insight to Area Teams during network reviews.

Leading the development and governance of our network planning approach.

Supporting franchise bids and major tenders with route design and performance analysis.

Reviewing and enhancing change proposals, including developing 'what-if' scenarios.

Standardising processes across regions, including the creation of SOPs for network change.

Upskilling Network Managers in analysis, modelling and use of performance KPIs.

Working with BI teams and software suppliers to enhance our strategic planning tools.

Leading cross-regional projects to improve network efficiency and performance.

What we’re looking for:

Significant experience in network planning, transport scheduling, or commercial transport roles.

A strategic mindset with strong analytical capability.

Experience in change management and process improvement.

Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Knowledge of transport planning software (e.g., Omnibus, Hastus) and performance metrics.

A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to influence at all levels.

Why Join Us?

At Arriva, we're on a journey to transform public transport for the better. This is your chance to join a high-impact, forward-thinking team where your expertise will help shape how millions travel every day. We offer flexible working, development opportunities, and a culture that values your ideas and contribution.

Ready to lead the evolution of our network? Apply today and help us deliver smarter, stronger services for our communities.