Job Description
Head of Fleet Commercial
Location: Birmingham / Hybrid
Closing Date: Friday 03rd July 2026
CrossCountry is looking for an exceptional commercial and fleet leader to drive some of the most significant rolling stock and engineering programmes in the UK rail industry.
As Head of Fleet Commercial, you will play a pivotal role in defining and delivering our long-term fleet strategy, leading major investment programmes, commercial partnerships, and fleet transformation initiatives that will directly influence the future of passenger rail travel.
This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, engineering insight, and commercial expertise to deliver real change across a nationally important transport network.
Reporting into senior leadership, you will lead the delivery of major fleet initiatives, including rolling stock replacement, refurbishment programmes, fleet enhancement projects, depot upgrades, and innovative traction solutions.
Working with industry partners, manufacturers, ROSCOs, government bodies, and transport authorities, you will ensure our fleet remains safe, reliable, sustainable, and commercially effective for years to come.
You will be at the forefront of emerging technologies, helping shape the adoption of low-emission traction systems, digital fleet solutions, and asset management innovations that support our commitment to a greener railway.
What You'll Be Responsible For
Principal Accountabilities
•Coordinate multi-disciplinary delivery teams across Engineering, Project Controls, Supply Chain, and Operations.
•Performance and effectiveness of fleet contracts
•Oversee project governance, scheduling, risk mitigation, and milestone tracking across complex portfolios.
•Manage commercial relationships with ROSCOs, manufacturers (OEMs), component suppliers, and technical consultancies.
•Lead negotiations on rolling stock leases, commercial models, service contracts, and asset support agreements.
•Represent fleet interests in industry bodies, franchise mobilisation boards, and strategic review groups.
•Own capital programme budgets, cost modelling, and investment cases for fleet initiatives.
•Monitor project expenditure, change control, and funding drawdowns in collaboration with Finance and Procurement.
•Drive value-for-money and return-on-investment across fleet lifecycle and engineering transformation.
•Ensure alignment of fleet upgrades with regulatory compliance (e.g. PRM-TSI, RIS-2452, GMRT standards).
•Support integration of new traction technologies, onboard systems, and depot infrastructure enhancements.
•Collaborate with Engineering, Safety Assurance, and Digital Transformation teams on technical validation and standards adherence.
•Champion low-emission traction programmes, including battery, hydrogen, and hybrid fleet projects.
•Promote innovation in asset management, remote diagnostics, and data-driven maintenance optimisation.
•Align fleet strategies with Net Zero commitments and modal shift goals across national and regional transport plans.
•Lead high-performing teams of project managers, commercial analysts, and technical specialists.
•Shape future fleet strategy through talent development, succession planning, and internal knowledge-sharing.
•Influence senior stakeholders across operators, infrastructure owners, government bodies, and transport authorities.
•Accountable for the cyber security of all fleet and on-board digital systems (including TMS, PIS, CCTV, DAS and passenger-facing platforms), ensuring robust governance covering system-level risk assessment, assurance, and compliance with railway, safety and information security standards (including NIS Regulations, CAF, RSSB standards and internal policies).
• Provide strategic oversight of vulnerability management, penetration testing, secure design and engineering change assurance, and the effective management of third-party and OEM cyber risks, working in collaboration with the IT function to ensure alignment to enterprise cyber policies, governance frameworks and strategic objectives.
About You
We're looking for a commercially astute leader with a proven track record of delivering large-scale fleet, engineering, or infrastructure programmes.
You'll bring:
Essential Experience
Significant experience leading complex fleet or engineering programmes within rail, aviation, transport infrastructure, or a comparable regulated environment.
Strong commercial and contractual expertise, including supplier negotiations, asset financing, and supply chain management.
Knowledge of UK rail industry standards, safety frameworks, and regulatory bodies such as ORR and RSSB.
Outstanding leadership, stakeholder management, and strategic planning skills.
Desirable Experience
Experience of new fleet introduction, franchise mobilisation, or technical due diligence.
Understanding of ROSCO relationships, depot interface planning, and rolling stock compliance requirements.
Experience delivering transformation programmes involving technology, sustainability, or asset optimisation.
Why Join CrossCountry?
At CrossCountry, you'll have the opportunity to influence the future direction of one of Britain's most recognisable train operators.
We offer:
The chance to lead nationally significant fleet programmes.
A collaborative and supportive leadership environment.
Opportunities to shape sustainability and innovation across the railway.
Competitive salary and benefits package.
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
Diversity & Inclusion
At CrossCountry, we believe our people should reflect the diverse communities we serve. Inclusion isn't simply part of our strategy – it's central to our success.
We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
Ready to help shape the future of rail?
Click Apply Now and take the next step in your career with CrossCountry.
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