Business Planning Manager

Shape the Future as a Business Planning Manager for Avanti West Coast!

*This role is hybrid and based in either our London or Birmingham office*

Join us in a pivotal role where you’ll assist in developing, managing, and delivering the Annual Business Plan as part of our National Rail Contract. You’ll ensure strong reporting and governance around Business Plan Commitments and KPIs. Use your excellent communication and collaborative skills to influence stakeholders and align the ABP with our long-term strategic goals. Manage governance within Avanti West Coast to drive continuous improvement and support business decision-making.

As a Business Planning Manager you will:

• Manage Business Planning processes: scoping, delivery, and reporting of Business Plan Commitments in line with the National Rail Contract.
• Facilitate workshops to develop the Annual Business Plan and support key deliverables aligned with our and DfT strategy.
• Work closely with finance teams to bridge business needs with financial planning.
• Manage risk registers to reduce the business risk profile and hold owners accountable.
• Provide counsel and support to managers on all aspects of business planning.
• Maintain close-working relationships with Directors and their teams to drive business planning excellence across West Coast Partnership.

Who we're looking for:

• Strong understanding of the rail industry, regulatory compliance, and commercial contracts, including negotiation skills.
• Excellent grasp of the ABP process within the National Rail Contract (NRC) and project management.
• Advanced Excel and MS Office skills, highly numerate, with excellent spoken and written English.
• Ability to build trust, manage complex projects, and effectively handle stakeholder relationships with excellent interpersonal skills.

Please review our role profile for more details on this exciting opportunity

Benefits include:

• Railway pension scheme
• 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

At Avanti West Coast, we value the differences that make each of us unique! Avanti West Coast recognises the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation.

Everyone who joins Avanti West Coast becomes part of our close knit team. We're committed to ensuring that Avanti West Coast is inclusive, a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are welcomed, recognised, accepted and put to good use!