Are you ready to take the lead in driving growth, innovation, and market impact? We are looking for an ambitious and commercially astute Head of Sales & Distribution. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing team, unlock new revenue streams, and elevate our sales and distribution strategy across multiple channels shaping the future of growth of rail travel on the West Coast mainline.
As part of the Commercial Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in developing our commercial strategy and driving sustainable business growth. You will lead and inspire a highly skilled, diverse and experienced team spanning sales, direct and third party retail, B2B and B2C partnerships, and VIP/group travel driving exceptional performance and results.
This role requires fresh thinking, an ability to challenge the status quo, and build strong external relationships raising the profile of Avanti and the appeal of rail travel.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and deliver a comprehensive sales and distribution strategy across all retail channels
- Identify and deliver new commercial partnerships to enhance our end-to-end customer proposition and unlock growth whilst building and maintaining strong networks with trade bodies, corporate clients, and travel partners
- Evolve our direct retail channels, improving customer experience, conversion, and revenue
- Lead and inspire a high-performing team, driving commercial outcomes and a strong performance culture
- Represent Avanti externally at a senior level, influencing consumer behaviour, industry innovation, and retail strategy
- Manage key suppliers to ensure delivery against KPIs and value for money
- Actively contribute to and shape the wider business strategy
We are looking for a leader who has:
Proven Commercial Leadership: Demonstrated success in sales, distribution, or commercial leadership within complex, fast-paced organisations.
Multi-Channel Retail Expertise: Extensive experience delivering and managing multi-channel retail strategies, including successful third-party partnerships.
Strategic Leadership: Providing a balance between short term revenue generation activities and medium to long term commercial initiatives.
Revenue Growth & Performance Optimisation: A strong track record of driving sustainable, measureable revenue growth and continuously improving commercial performance.
Inspirational Team Leadership: An empowering leader with a passion for building, developing, and motivating high-performing teams.
Senior Stakeholder Influence: Highly skilled in stakeholder engagement, with the ability to influence and collaborate at senior and industry levels in a complex business environment.
Customer-Centric Innovation: A genuine passion for innovation, with a focus on enhancing and elevating the customer experience.
Benefits
- Final salary pension
- Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
- Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
- 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
- 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operator
Be You. With Us.
At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive.
We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.
We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.
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