Assistant Manager - Business Development

About the Company

The Go-Ahead Group are the leading transport provider of bus services within the UK dedicated to offering affordable and reliable transport that connects communities to employment, education, and leisure opportunities. We operate bus services in London on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and have a strong presence across the UK, as well as internationally. Our commitment to service excellence helps improve everyday journeys and supports the well-being of the communities we serve.

The Opportunity

The Go-Ahead Group is committed to delivering exceptional public transport services across the UK and overseas, through our network of operating companies in bus and rail. As part of our dynamic and multi-faceted Business Development (BD) team, you will play a vital role in seeking out valuable new opportunities through market assessment, stakeholder engagement, and commercial analysis. You will support the management of transport tenders, corporate acquisitions, and various other strategic initiatives. We are looking for an Assistant Manager who thrives in a fast-paced, diverse environment and is eager to develop their skills further while contributing to the team’s success.

Principal Accountabilities

• Provide reliable project management support for ongoing BD programmes, preparing high-quality materials to meet the team’s objectives.
• Conduct market assessment and research to support the BD team’s strategy, ensuring data and analysis are presented clearly and effectively.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, helping to foster collaboration and drive success.
• Contribute to tender processes, supporting team efforts with both direct and indirect participation.
• Serve as a junior advisor and informant on rail and bus strategy and operations, sharing knowledge and insights to guide decisions.
• Participate in a variety of activities, such as tendering, mergers and acquisitions, operational integration, and supporting Go-Ahead operating companies.
• Ensure timely management of workload, delivering on commitments in a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Knowledge & Experience

• A minimum of 1-2 years of relevant work experience, ideally within a consulting environment, with a proven track record of managing projects to deadlines and demonstrating a strong understanding of business processes.
• Education to an undergraduate degree level (or equivalent), with relevant subjects such as business, project management, law, or politics being beneficial, though a strong aptitude for the role is most important.
• Experience in presenting research, analysis, and ideas to support decision-making processes.
• Confidence in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong IT skills, with a focus on being able to present data effectively and contribute to research tasks.
• An interest in personal development, with a team-focused attitude and the ability to build relationships both internally and externally.
• A level of political awareness to understand the factors influencing policy decisions in the transport sector.

At The Go-Ahead Group, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is treated with respect and equality. We believe that a variety of perspectives drives innovation and strengthens our ability to serve the communities we operate in. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or background. At Go-Ahead, we ensure that every employee has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our collective success, in an environment that values differences and promotes fairness.