Interim Head of Commercial
Caledonian Sleeper – Glasgow
FTC 6 Months – Full Time – 37.5 Hours
Salary £80,000 per annum (plus additional benefits)
Join Caledonian Sleeper as our Head of Commercial.
Caledonian Sleeper is an iconic overnight rail service connecting Scotland with London, operating nightly (excluding Saturdays) across major cities and rural destinations. Steeped in history since the late 19th century, we have built a reputation for comfort, hospitality and delivering a distinctive travel experience along some of the UK’s most scenic routes. Our service combines historic charm with modern luxury, offering passengers a restful overnight journey that leaves them refreshed and ready to explore.
Operated on behalf of the Scottish Government, Caledonian Sleeper plays a vital role in promoting sustainable, convenient, and memorable travel across the UK. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and a commitment to connecting people and places in a way that is both unique and meaningful.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We are currently seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Commercial to join our leadership team on a 6-month fixed-term basis. This pivotal role offers a rare opportunity to shape and drive the commercial strategy of a renowned brand, ensuring the delivery of high-impact initiatives aligned with our strategic vision.
In this role, you will lead in executing commercial activities with excellence, nurture and manage key relationships, and work closely with executive leadership to ensure seamless integration within our broader governance and operational frameworks. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will also collaborate with other members of the Leadership Team to deliver sustainable growth and customer engagement.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Commercial Strategy & Governance
- Support the planning, execution and governance of commercial activities aligned with strategic goals, ensuring compliance with internal and external governance frameworks, including risk management and regulatory requirements.
CSL Business
Business Case & Strategy Development
- Produce compelling, data-driven documentation to support investment decisions and strategic initiatives. This includes leading the development of business cases, actively driving these initiatives forward, and coordinating input from internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution and delivery.
Supplier Relationship Management
- Oversee and support supplier relationships, driving performance, innovation, and value, while resolving escalated commercial or performance issues.
Contract & Relationship Oversight
- Manage governance around commercial contracts and supplier relationships, supporting project management activities and ensuring proper oversight without necessarily leading all procurement activities.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Facilitate effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to support strategic initiatives.
Performance & Reporting
- Monitor progress of commercial activities, report on key metrics, risks and mitigation strategies.
REQUIREMENTS:
Essential skills, knowledge and qualifications
- Proven experience in a senior commercial or strategic project leadership role.
- Demonstrated success in managing complex commercial projects and supplier relationships.
- Strong analytical, financial and business case development skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal communication skills.
- Deep understanding of governance, compliance and risk management in a commercial context.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Desirable skills, knowledge and qualifications
- Familiarity of public sector procurement rules and frameworks.
CSL Business
ADDITIONAL/SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE ROLE:
- Whilst this role will be predominantly based in our Glasgow office during standard office hours, as Caledonian Sleeper in an overnight operational business, there will be some requirements to be based in our operation to understand the relevant context of the business.
- Requirement for ad hoc travel to meet with suppliers and stakeholders, as required in execution of the responsibilities of this role.
- The initial term for this role is 6 months.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- 25 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata).
- Free travel on Scotrail for you and eligible family members.
- Free travel on Caledonian Sleeper for you and eligible family members.
- Significant discounts on other UK rail travel for you and your family.
- "Friends and Family" travel tickets on Caledonian Sleeper.
- Healthcare cash plan.
- HAPI Benefits membership — discounts at selected retailers, hospitality venues, gyms, and more.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Extensive training and development opportunities.
WHY JOIN US?
At Caledonian Sleeper, our mission is to connect people and places through a hassle-free, memorable travel experience — and that starts with you. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Passion, Togetherness and Respect, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every guest feels valued, and every colleague is empowered to excel.
If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for commercial excellence, a collaborative spirit, and a desire to make a tangible difference in a unique sector, we invite you to bring your enthusiasm and expertise to our team. Join us and become part of a passionate community dedicated to delivering delightful journeys, night after night.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your CV by Friday 20th June 2025 to the following email: