Business Planning and Improvement Manager

Business Planning & Improvement Manager

Closing Date:
Friday 3rd July 2026

Shape the Future of Cross Country

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving business performance, governance excellence, and continuous improvement?

Cross Country is seeking an experienced Business Planning & Improvement Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping our future direction. This is a unique opportunity to influence organisational strategy, strengthen key stakeholder relationships, and ensure our business plans deliver meaningful outcomes for our customers, colleagues and stakeholders.

Working at the heart of the organisation, you will lead the development of our Annual Business Plan, oversee governance and performance frameworks, and drive improvements that support delivery of our strategic priorities and contractual commitments.

• Lead the development, coordination and submission of Cross Country's Annual Business Plan to the Department for Transport Operator (DfTO).
• Ensure business plans align with organisational strategy, client priorities and contractual obligations.
• Work with stakeholders across the business to develop initiatives that support strategic and medium-term objectives.
• Support communications and engagement activities linked to business planning.

• Act as the primary day‑to‑day contact between Cross Country and the Department for Transport Operator.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships that support successful delivery and positive outcomes.
• Establish credibility with senior stakeholders and external partners.

• Provide oversight of governance forums and decision‑making processes, ensuring they are effective, efficient and value‑adding.
• Drive improvements in planning, governance and performance management frameworks.
• Use data and insight to inform decisions, challenge assumptions and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the preparation and quality assurance of performance scorecard evidence submissions.
• Identify and deliver initiatives that maximise performance outcomes and support achievement of Performance Based Fee targets.
• Develop robust business cases to support investment and organisational priorities.

• Lead, motivate and develop a high‑performing team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with colleagues across strategy, finance, performance and operational teams, as well as industry partners.
• Ensure all activities support National Rail Contract requirements and organisational objectives.

You will be an experienced professional with a track record of leading strategic planning, governance or performance improvement activities within complex and regulated environments.

• Experience managing complex, contract‑led stakeholder relationships.
• Proven ability to build trust and credibility with clients, regulators or oversight bodies.
• Experience working with performance frameworks, scorecards or qualitative assessment regimes.
• Strong analytical, planning and influencing skills.
• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience with in rail, transport or wider public sector environments.
• Knowledge of recognised programme, portfolio or PMO methodologies such as MoP, MSP, PRINCE2 or P3M.
• Experience managing business planning processes and evidence‑based submissions.
• Background working with strategy, finance or performance functions.
• Professional qualifications in programme management, governance, risk or contract management.
• MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification.

At Cross Country, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact on the future of one of Britain's most important rail operators. We offer a collaborative environment where innovation, continuous improvement and professional development are encouraged and supported.

At Cross Country, we believe our people should reflect the diverse communities we serve. Inclusion is central to our success and we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to achieve their full potential.