Retail Partnerships Lead

The Rail Delivery Group is seeking an experienced Retail Partnerships Lead to define and manage its relationships with the diverse third-party retail sector. This is a senior and influential position responsible for cultivating strong strategic partnerships, leading retailer licence management, and ensuring that Third Party Retailers are appropriately licensed, accredited, and compliant with their commercial and operational obligations.

You will be accountable for revenue growth through effective partnerships and commercial outcomes within a dynamic retail market. You will lead a specialist team, setting clear direction, establishing performance indicators, and ensuring delivery against commercial and operational objectives. The role requires providing expert insight into the third-party retail market to shape strategies supporting the Fares, Ticketing & Retail programme and the future of Great British Railways.

Collaboration is key, working closely with third-party retailers, train operators, the Department for Transport, the regulator, and industry partners to boost revenue, enhance customer experience, and foster a thriving retail market that encourages more rail travel.

Requirements

We are looking for a commercially-focused individual with extensive experience in leading strategic partnerships, capable of operating effectively across all levels within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. You should excel at building trusted senior relationships, leading teams, navigating intricate commercial agreements, and translating strategic objectives into measurable results.

You will represent the organisation externally and collaborate across various internal teams including legal, finance, accreditation, settlement, service delivery, data, programme, and digital.

Essential experience and skills:

• Strong commercial acumen and a focus on delivering tangible outcomes, including revenue growth and an improved customer experience.
• Proven experience in B2C and B2B partnerships, distribution management, business development, or account management.
• Experience of leading complex commercial negotiations and managing complex commercial agreements.
• Demonstrable accountability for commercial outcomes and strategic delivery.
• Experience of establishing robust processes, delivering change, and working successfully across organisational boundaries.
• A strong track record of engaging and influencing senior internal and external stakeholders, including government, regulatory, and representative bodies.
• Proven experience of cross-functional working to achieve commercial objectives.
• People-management experience and strong leadership skills.
• A customer-focused approach.
• Experience of representing an organisation externally within a complex stakeholder environment.

Desirable experience:

• Experience of the rail industry.
• An understanding of rail retailing and its commercial framework.
• Experience of developing or implementing new strategies.
• Knowledge of the stakeholder landscape surrounding Rail Delivery Group and the Fares, Ticketing & Retail programme.
• Experience of working through organisational transition.
• Experience of influencing government and regulatory stakeholders.

Benefits

Rail Delivery Group offers a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% discount on rail travel (for work and leisure), plus international rail discounts.
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events).
• Two Personal Development Days granted annually.
• Interest-free Season Ticket Loan for commuting costs.
• Enhanced family leave – 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave.
• Pension scheme – up to 8.64% employer contribution.
• Subsidised Private Medical Insurance (Vitality PPP) and Health Cash Plan (Healthshield).
• Access to a flexible benefits portal for retail discounts, shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment perks.
• Flexible working arrangements available.