Location
London Puddle Dock, Blackfriars

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£46,701 - £56,963 per annum

About the Role
Join the Southern Region where your work truly matters. Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys.

We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.

We're looking for a collaborative and commercially minded Franchise & Access Manager to join our team for a two-year fixed term opportunity. This unique role places you at the heart of the railway, acting as the key relationship manager and contractual expert between Network Rail and our Train Operating Company (TOC) partners. You will play a vital role in ensuring strong, productive partnerships, helping deliver excellent outcomes for passengers, customers, and stakeholders.

Combining commercial expertise, negotiation skills, and relationship management, you will help optimise contractual performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and support the continued success of the railway.

Key responsibilities include:
- Acting as the primary interface with Train Operating Companies on all contractual matters, providing expert advice and guidance
- Building and maintaining positive, effective relationships with TOCs to support Network Rail's strategic and operational objectives
- Managing contractual obligations covering performance, access agreements, invoicing, claims, and compliance
- Leading negotiations on changes to access contracts and seeking opportunities to improve commercial and operational outcomes
- Resolving disputes and challenges through constructive collaboration, balancing commercial interests with long-term relationships
- Overseeing the delivery of improvement plans and projects that benefit both Network Rail and TOC partners
- Ensuring compliance with contractual agreements across all parties
- Identifying and delivering income-generating opportunities while optimising financial outcomes from performance regimes and contractual arrangements
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives, sharing best practice and delivering lasting benefits
- Supporting the Franchise & Access Executive in meeting customer and business requirements

Experience
- Significant experience in a commercial environment
- Proven ability to negotiate in a complex commercial environment
- Substantial experience of managing contractual relationships
- Knowledge of relevant contracts and contractual environment
- Commercially astute, persuasive and customer focused

About you
- Effective team leader with proven presentational and interpersonal skills
- Literate, analytical and numerate
- Collaborative and commercially minded
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment

Qualifications
- Qualified to degree level or equivalent

Desirable
- Comprehensive knowledge and experience in the railway business
- Comprehensive understanding of the railway industry structure and contractual relationships