Arriva Group
Head of Commercial Bids, Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS)
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Join the Arriva Road Transport Services as a Head of Commercial Bids!
Organisation
Arriva Road Transport Services
Location
Derby or Lacon House with travel across the network
Hours
Full time, Monday to Friday
About Us
Arriva Road Transport Services (ARTS) is a commercial business that sits within the Arriva Rail Services portfolio within Arriva UK Trains. ARTS is a market-leading rail replacement and transport solutions provider across the UK, partnering with Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and commercial businesses to provide pre-planned and emergency transport for engineering works, staff and passenger movements, and special events.
After securing contracts with its current customer portfolio, ARTS is looking to expand its presence in current markets across the UK, such as rail replacement, taxi operations, and special events, as well as invest in the business to grow for the future.
Benefits include:
- 25 days annual leave plus standard UK bank holidays
- Pension
- Arriva UK Trains Travel Pass
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Arriva Village retailer discount scheme
The Role
The Head of Commercial Bids will lead all tender activity (proposal development, RFI, RFP, ITT, etc.) working alongside wider Growth colleagues in Arriva UK Trains and Arriva Group as appropriate, ensuring adherence to internal governance, approvals, and delegated authorities.
What You’ll Do
- Horizon scan for new opportunities that leverage the existing capabilities and competencies of ARTS to support the expansion of the ARTS business.
- Own and manage the opportunity pipeline, from lead generation to opportunity conversion, including retendering and renewing of existing client contracts.
- Establish and maintain strong external relationships with partners, prospective clients, and industry stakeholders.
- Lead on new business activity, including tender responses, proposal development, RFIs, RFPs, and ITTs.
- Drive and oversee ARTS’s go-to-market (GTM) approach to unlock new sectors and markets beyond the current client base in conjunction with Arriva central business growth team.
- Collaborate closely with colleagues across Arriva UK Trains, Arriva Group, and ARTS’s internal departments to align growth plans and ensure strategic cohesion.
- Ensure all bid and business development activity aligns with internal governance, approval processes, and delegated authority limits.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to inform growth strategy.
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Full job description is available on request.
What You Bring
- Proven track record of developing and delivering successful growth strategies and business development initiatives in complex, fast-paced environments.
- Experience managing the full lifecycle of bid/tender processes (RFI, RFP, ITT, etc.).
- Strong commercial acumen with experience identifying, evaluating, and converting new opportunities.
- Previous leadership experience in business development or strategic growth roles.
- Background in transport, infrastructure, or regulated sectors desirable but not essential.
- Experience engaging with C-suite stakeholders, clients, and senior internal decision-makers.
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on, outcome-focused approach.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong project and pipeline management abilities.
- Resilient, adaptable, and thrives in a growth-focused, collaborative environment.
- High level of personal integrity and professional credibility.
Ready to Start Your Next Journey?
If you’re passionate about making a difference and supporting our team, we want to hear from you! Let’s build the future together!
Due to the energising nature of our vacancies, application close dates, when stated, are indicative and may be subject to change, so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Shortlisting and interviewing may take place whilst the advert is open and will close once a successful candidate has been identified.
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At Arriva, we acknowledge the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. Embracing diversity and creating inclusion is a key component of our talent strategy. The creation of a diverse, inclusive workforce is central to our ability to unlock potential and enhance our success.
Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions, and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably, and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day.
The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands, and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.
Thanks for your interest in working on our team! Our expansion is opening up exciting prospects! As our team grows, we’re on the lookout for the brightest talent to join us. Our ongoing success hinges on this! After reviewing our available positions, we encourage you to apply to those that resonate with your skills. Stay updated on your application status and be alerted to new opportunities that capture your interest! We’re grateful for your consideration to become a part of our dynamic team!
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