Senior Commercial Scheme Sponsor

Senior Commercial Scheme Sponsor Location Blackfriars, GB Department Name Southern Region About Network Rail
Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.

We have a great opportunity here in Southern Region's Investment Team for a Senior Commercial Scheme Sponsor.
This is a 12-month Secondment/Fixed Term Contract opportunity.
Based at London Blackfriars, as Senior Commercial Scheme Sponsor, you'll lead the development and implementation of customer and stakeholder promoted and funded renewals and enhancement schemes in an effective and timely manner through a mutually beneficial relationship.

About the role (External)
Two of our current team members have reflected on their experiences in the team:
The team takes pride in holding diversity, equity and inclusion at its core. Being both a practising Muslim and holding carer duties, I found that I was provided with the right support to fulfil my personal obligations whilst also undertaking my responsibilities and accountabilities at work. Furthermore, the team's inclusive approach and curiosity created the right environment to discuss and tackle any misconceptions that existed.'

Hamza Mirza, Senior Commercial Scheme Sponsor
'I've been leading Wessex Route's Signalling Renewals portfolio for the past 4 years, involving some of the biggest and most technically challenging projects and programmes in Wessex, in order to deliver a modern, safe, reliable network. I am also supported in my work leading on LGBT+ inclusion at Network Rail and get to work with a hugely diverse, talented team as we deliver a fantastic range of projects. '
Babak Erfani, Senior Commercial Scheme Sponsor

**Key Accountabilities will be to**:

- Manage relationship with customers and stakeholders, and be the focal point for managing interfaces internally and externally in line with an agreed commercial strategy, championing the interests of the customers and stakeholders within Network Rail.
- Develop renewals and enhancement schemes to establish their nature, scope, cost and timescales in line with the Business Planning Criteria, and Network Rail's commercial, technical, property, operational interests and position.
- Lead negotiations with customers and stakeholders on the commercial and contractual terms for schemes, in accordance with relevant corporate policy and strategy. Lead negotiations and resolution of external scheme interfaces requirements, including any Parliamentary or Statutory processes, external consents issues, and other third parties to optimise the value of the scheme to Network Rail and funder(s).
- Prepare and manage business cases for Network Rail promoted or part funded schemes, and remuneration of Network Rail's commercial and financial interests. With Planning and Regulation develop, manage and resolve issues to align with the regulatory framework.
- Comply with the requirements of investment regulations, other corporate governance and the Governance for Railway Investment Projects. Adhere to corporate approvals processes, including those related to legal and corporate affairs.
- Monitor progress internally on key customer schemes against agreed budgets delivery plans and work programmes, and challenge as required.
- Build and manage cross functional relationships within Network Rail to manage the scheme benefits and optimise its development, delivery, operation and ongoing incorporation into the business.
- Work with customers and stakeholders to identify new opportunities for them to invest in the network.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential
- Qualified to degree level or equivalent
- Experience of dealing with large complex industrial client portfolios and negotiating contracts to finalisation and able to demonstrate significant commercial success
- Commercially astute, persuasive, and customer focused
- Highly developed negotiating skills
- Thorough knowledge of the railway industry with an understanding of Network Rail's role in the context of government and the rail industry

Desirable
- Experience in significant management roles in an industrial commercial environment
- MBA or other related postgraduate qualification

**Salary**: £65,480 - £73,665 plus £3,200 Location Allowance

This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract opportunity and has the potential to be extended or become permanent.