Joint Strategy and Business Development Director

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail (NR) are committed to delivering an integrated plan that centres around passengers, putting them at the heart of everything we do and focusing on improvements which will make a difference to their journeys.The NR Wessex route covers the major commuter area of south west London, as well as from London Waterloo to thesouth and south west of England, and SWR operates over 1,500 services each weekday across this network, providing easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities.

Joinour team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

As Strategy and Business Development Director, you will play a pivotal role in driving transformation as the railway prepares for its transition into a new era of integrated planning under public ownership. You will help define the long-term vision for integrated, customer-focused rail services across the South West, influencing national policy and delivering meaningful change for millions of passengers. This is a critical joint leadership position is responsible for co-ordinating the development of a whole life and system approach to business planning so that track, train and infrastructure maintenance and upgrades are delivered at optimum value, performance and cost effectiveness.

KeyAccountabilities are:

Develop and Deliver Joint Strategic Vision: Developing and regularly updating the business plan, ensuring that all aspects are business case driven and demonstrably deliver for our customers and stakeholders and delivers ever-improving outcomes from our integrated SWR and NR railway. You'll lead the development our local short, medium, and long-term planning strategies, co-ordinating expert inputs from across SWR and NR local teams and aligning with Regional and National strategies, to enable world-classservices for customers, robust performance, and drive value for taxpayers.

Strategic Leadership: Develop and lead the company's long-term strategy in alignment with industry trends, regulatory frameworks, and corporate objectives, ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness. The ability to develop and lead and co-ordinate high-performing, analytical teams and embed data-led decision making across a large organisation.

Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrable experience of influencing cross-industry and cross-functional stakeholders at the most senior levels. Experience of working closely with DFT and other regulatory stakeholders and to oversee all activity through a robust PMO and governance framework

Commercial Innovation: A strong commercial mindset and financial acumen, with the ability to align business planning with customer needs and regulatory requirements.

Communication and Influence: Exceptional communication and strategic thinking skills, with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.

Customer Focused Strategy: Champion a relentless focus on delivering improved customer outcomes through strategic planning, innovation, and ultimately alignment with Great British Railway's mission to deliver simpler more reliable and passenger-centric rail services.

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days

Expected travel across the SWR network

Will include Exec team On-Call commitment

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty, residential and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

If you require additionalsupport to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.