Development Manager for Derby & Derbyshire Rail Forum (Consultancy)

This is an exciting opportunity to apply for the newly created role of Consultant Development Manager for the successful and growing Derby & Derbyshire Rail Forum (DDRF). DDRF represents 125 businesses across the East Midlands, employing over 25,000 people and contributing £2.6 billion to the local economy. DDRF was formed in 1993 to promote the area as a world class centre of rail excellence and welcome new members.

The Development Manager will lead the DDRF and develop the business strategy, standards and approaches to stakeholders. This will include targets to grow the membership of the DDRF, to secure additional funding to take DDRF forward and to grow and enhance the standing and reputation of the DDRF with a broad cross-section of senior stakeholders across business, media and political spectrums. In addition, the role will help boost and support exports and lead and collaborate on Trade Fairs.

The DDRF Development Manager must be an experienced manager who can operate effectively in an independent, small team. Key to this will be that the Development Manager will be an individual who is well organised and a motivated “self starter” who is prepared and able to work with minimal supervision and use their initiative. In addition:

Good management and communication skills are essential to the role. A knowledge of the rail industry would be beneficial but it is not essential. Self confidence and a profile that has “gravitas” and commands respect will be important to the

makeup of the Development Manager, as the individual will need to develop strong relationships with members and stakeholders.

Experience of working at a strategic level with partners from the private and public sectors and ability to be involved in the Transport Equipment Manufacturing Sector Group of the Local Enterprise Partnership, D2N2 (www.d2n2lep.org)

Experience in preparing and managing financial budgets and costing projects and events is required to manage effectively the operations of DDRF.

Spreadsheet and Database/Word Processing skills are required to a moderately high level to fulfil the role.

This role will require some travel and therefore a clean driving license and access to a motor vehicle will be required.

The role of Development Manager will involve some out of hours working for meetings, members events, etc and may also require occasional overnight stays.

The role will be a consultancy agreement for a fixed term contract of one year. At the end of one year, the DDRF will review the success or otherwise of the role, its funding position as well as the future Strategy of DDRF to determine whether there will be a future requirement for a Development Manager.

It is envisaged that (subject to funding) the Development Manager role will be for between 14 and 16 eight hour days per calendar month. Remuneration for this role will be through a consultancy agreement but is expected to be in the region of £30,000 to £35,000 per annum.

Applications including your current CV, should be made to: The Chairman, Derby & Derbyshire Rail Forum, Lonsdale House, Quaker Way, Derby DE1 3HB. Closing date for applications Friday 29 August 2014.