Great Western Railway (GWR)
Retail Programme Manager
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Retail Programme Manager
Paddington, London
Salary: circa £73k depending on skills and experience, plus excellent benefits package.
Be part of one of the UK’s most iconic rail networks, helping over 100 million people travel each year across the South West, South Wales and London. With a modern fleet, strong customer satisfaction and ambitious growth plans, we’re always moving forward.
As a Retail Programme Manager, you’ll play a key role in supporting our people and shaping that journey.
About the Role
The Retail team plays a key role in growing and developing GWR’s business. It oversees all the selling channels and fulfilment methods, both at station and online. The systems managed, support and facilitate the collection of revenue.
The Retail Programme Manager is responsible for the delivery of retailing systems across GWR’s estate to maximise commercial opportunities for GWR.
You will lead the development and delivery of initiatives and projects to support GWR’s retail strategy. You will be responsible for managing and coordinating the programme of activity to deliver GWR’s retail objectives of delivering a customer-centric choice of ticketing propositions that provide flexible, convenient and simple solutions for ticket purchase, collection and travel, with a focus on delivering a ‘digital-first’ channel of sale.
This is a key role at a time of significant change in the railway industry. It requires an understanding and appreciation of customer behaviours and retailing requirements, now and in the future, and the ability to collaborate across the railway industry and with a number of key stakeholders and partners to work together to deliver our retailing systems.
The Reward
As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including:
- On-going development
- Defined benefit pension scheme with the Railways Pension Scheme
- Free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family
- Company-sponsored health care plan
- Discounted shopping and gym membership
- Employee assistance programme and much more
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Development of strategic and tactical initiatives to support GWR’s Retail strategy with a strong focus on digital-first delivery and supporting the development of the roadmap for GWR retail activities.
- Ownership and management of the delivery programme for retail projects to support GWR’s Retail Strategy and vision. Driving the ongoing evolution and management of the Retail Roadmap encompassing both digital and traditional means of retailing.
- Ensure project requirements, approach, scope, goals and deliverables support business goals in collaboration with Senior Management and stakeholders. Also to liaise with suppliers and external stakeholders for implementation of innovative solutions to affect retail offering.
- Ensure feedback from GWR stakeholders is relayed back to suppliers to impact on future solution offering and assist commercial teams with the development of the customer proposition and business case for strategic and tactical retail initiatives.
- Represent the interests of the Retail team across GWR, First Group and industry bodies. Being the conduit between GWR and external stakeholders including the supply chain and industry bodies.
- Provide impact assessment, strategic and tactical support to ongoing retail activity and initiatives.
- Work with system integrators to develop system functionality and specifications that meet GWR business requirements.
- Lead contract negotiations on key contracts for business compliance and continuity.
- Ensure feedback from GWR stakeholders is relayed back to suppliers to impact on future solution offering and design of the roadmap and assist commercial teams with the development of the customer proposition and business case for strategic and tactical retail initiatives.
- Work with the wider Retail team and the wider business to ensure that development projects are delivered in line with the Programme Assurance specified project/ programme process. Manage the ongoing delivery of commercial relationships and contracts as an escalation point to support BAU delivery.
- Manage suppliers as required developing strong working relationships and working to plans and to budget, always working collaboratively with product managers and Customer Experience teams to ensure that retail offering properties remain connected, aligned and consistent with other vision statement.
- Oversee a successful handover into BAU processes.
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About You
As a minimum you will have an APM or MSP certification to manage the Programme Management function and preferably be educated to degree level or equivalent with relevant professional qualification.
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In addition, you will hold the following skills and experience:
- Commercially driven, with a focus on strategic thinking and foresight.
- Interpersonal, networking and influencing skills.
- Problem solving and analysis.
- Visualise end-user experience and work backwards to plan, strategise and execute customer experience efforts to deliver great experiences.
- Data driven mindset and aptitude for technology.
- Ability to build good relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- Experience managing budgets.
- Experience of project management and project delivery.
- Digital experience is beneficial.
- Railway experience is beneficial, but not essential.
About the location
This role is based in London Paddington, with the opportunity to work from home up to 2 days a week.
To ensure collaboration and support for our stakeholders, some travel to other locations on the GWR network will be required on occasion. Free train travel for GWR is included as part of this role.
Additional Information
This is a full time, permanent position.
Application
Please apply online via our website https://careers.firstgroup.co.uk/brand-gwr
If you have any problems applying, please email gwrrecruitment@gwr.com
The Reward
As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including:
- On-going development
- Defined benefit pension scheme with the Railways Pension Scheme
- Free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family
- Company-sponsored health care plan
- Discounted shopping and gym membership
- Employee assistance programme and much more
Our Commitment to Inclusion:
We all belong at GWR. We embrace diversity and ensure equal opportunities for all. Differences in age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability are valued, with zero tolerance for prejudice. We promote flexible working, review job roles for accessibility, and our support colleagues to thrive within their roles. If you need adjustments due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, please let us know.
🔗 Exceptional Individuals – Neurodiversity 🔗 Health Assured – Neurodiversity
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