Transport Commercial Director

Transport Commercial Director

£124,655 per annum - Grade 15

Leeds / Hybrid Full time - 37 hours per week

Permanent

Closing date - Sunday 19 July 2026 at 23:55

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share. West Yorkshire Combined Authority is delivering one of the most ambitious transport programmes in the UK. Through the introduction of the Weaver network, we are transforming how people travel across the region, creating a more affordable, inclusive and sustainable public transport system that works for everyone.

We are seeking an exceptional Transport Commercial Director to lead the commercial strategy and performance of this landmark transformation programme. This newly created role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of public transport in West Yorkshire, working closely with senior leaders, elected members and national stakeholders to deliver meaningful change for millions of people. As Transport Commercial Director, you will lead the design, delivery and performance of our transport commercial strategy, ensuring we grow passenger numbers while delivering value for money for passengers and West Yorkshire residents. You will be responsible for driving commercial growth, maximising value for money, influencing strategic decision-making and helping to create a customer-focused transport network that supports inclusive growth, sustainability and innovation across the region.

Bus franchising will give the Combined Authority direct control over which routes operate, how often services run and the fares passengers pay. Representing the biggest change to West Yorkshire’s bus network in a generation, the first franchised services will launch in Spring 2027, with all bus routes coming under public control by late 2028. Supporting more than 117 million passenger journeys each year, as Transport Commercial Director you will play a critical role in ensuring this transformational programme delivers a high-quality, accessible and financially viable public transport network designed around the needs of passengers and communities across West Yorkshire.

Due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will be subject to relevant vetting checks at the appropriate level and any job offer will be conditional subject to successful vetting clearance. Applicants should be aware that it is not possible to make meaningful vetting enquiries in many jurisdictions outside the UK. Vetting clearance cannot therefore be granted if the applicant has not been resident in the UK for the relevant minimum period and comparable vetting enquiries cannot be made in jurisdictions where the individual has been residing. The relevant periods are three years for NPPV 1&2 and five years for NPPV3. Further guidance can be found here.

Our Offer

· Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.

· Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.

· Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).

· Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

· Investing in you – Take advantage of supported professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.

· Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.

· Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.

· Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.

· Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

Reporting into the Executive Director for Transport, your key responsibilities will include:

· Lead the commercial development and performance of the Weaver network, including fares, ticketing, revenue strategy and initiatives to grow passenger numbers and increase public transport use.

· Ensure the successful delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused transport network by driving accessibility, service excellence, contractual performance and continuous improvement across transport operators.

· Provide strategic leadership and stakeholder management, overseeing significant budgets, using data and insight to inform decision-making, and building strong relationships with government, operators and key partners.

Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education, and experience:

· Demonstrable evidence of delivering measurable improvements in customer and public outcomes through commercial leadership and service transformation.

· Significant experience of leading large, complex budgets, with demonstrable success in maximising income, driving revenue growth and delivering financial sustainability.

· Proven success of managing high-value contracts and commercial partnerships at a senior level, with evidence of driving supplier performance and delivering value for money.

· Highly developed negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with previous experience of building credible relationships and achieving results across multifaceted and evolving organisational settings.

· Demonstrable ability and experience of leading, developing and motivating diverse, multidisciplinary teams, fostering high performance, accountability and inclusive leadership.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form on our website and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met. Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis.