Business Planning Manager

With Rail in Great Britain undergoing the most significant change since privatisation, along with the introduction of the National Rail Contract which is set to create a more agile and flexible way of working, our client are recruiting a new **Business Planning Manager**.

The role will be the principal source of strategic business planning activity and business development, delivering the WMT Annual Business Planning process and quarterly Business Plan refreshes across the entire business. The Business Planning Manager(s)will pro-actively aid the development of the railway, help plan how they become a more customer focussed operation, and deliver the strategic objectives of the National Rail Contract,.

You would be based at their head office in Birmingham city centre, on a**full time (37 hours), permanent basis,** with travel expected across their network.

**Accountabilities**(see job description for full details)
- Own, develop and deliver the Annual Business Plan through a co-ordinated strategic planning and business development programme across WMT.
- Develop Action Plans and supporting business cases for major changes to the cost base, both inside and outside of the Business Plan process.
- Develop reform and further business optimisation opportunities, working collaboratively with other SMEs and Heads of across WMT.
- Support the Client Relationship and Contract Management team with the effective setting and achievement of KPIs, benchmarks and targets, including the annual Performance Based Fee specifications.
- Prepares and submit proposals, feasibility studies and business cases which improve outcomes for passengers, improve cost effectiveness or generate additional revenue.
- Manages relationship with DfT for all aspects of the Business Planning process.
- Through effective influencing of key stakeholders, particularly DfT and Network Rail, demonstrate that the needs of the Operator have been taken into consideration on key decisions.
- Lead the development of Industry Change Projects.
- Develop business cases and third party funding mechanism proposals (and with third parties where appropriate) to ensure WMT is at the fore front when any local and regional opportunities become available.
- Working with other functions ensure to help ensure that all key projects lead by this role, are managed and delivered to agreed timescales, cost, quality.
- Support the Financial Management and Client Relationship and Contract Management teams.

**Experience and Knowledge you would bring to the role**:

- Good levels of building of strong working relationships within and outside the company, particularly at peer group level and communicating constructively in a clear and concise manner.
- Has the ability to persuade, at all levels of the business
- Experience of turning strategic concepts into practical solutions.
- Proven ability to make rational, realistic and sound decisions based on good analysis of the full facts and consideration of the different options and outcomes
- Ability to respond to a wide range of complex and conflicting interests and to communicate effectively with key stakeholders in their resolution
- Good understanding of the mechanics of rail industry commercial frameworks.
- Pro-active individual with an ability to engage with others quickly to establish relationships on all levels.
- Able to understand and absorb substantial amounts of information quickly and accurately and seek appropriate action to deliver realistic solutions.
- Rail industry experience desirable but not essential.

In addition to a competitive salary, our client offers a wealth of benefits including first class travel on trains for you, your partner and dependant children, 75% discount on other train travel over most of the UK rail network, access to an Employee Recognitionand Benefits Platform, development opportunities to help further your career with the company, and a defined benefit salary pension as well as an opportunity to participate in the company's health scheme.

Applications will be considered from internal colleagues with 6 months experience after completion of their probationary period and a full check of absence and disciplinary records.