Shape the Future of Sustainable Transport with First Bus

The UK's bus industry is evolving, and First Bus is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. As franchising and contract-based services become more prominent, we're embracing the opportunity to shape the future of sustainable transport in partnership with local authorities and key stakeholders.

As a Bid Solutions Specialist (People), you will play a key role in shaping our technical and operational proposals, ensuring that our solutions meet and exceed client expectations.

Why Join First Bus?

Our Growth team plays a pivotal role in securing stability and future success. This is an opportunity to be part of a team that is shaping the next generation of public transport.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Develop a comprehensive people strategy aligned with client requirements, incorporating recruitment, training, engagement, and change management to ensure consistent operational and customer performance.
• Assess and manage TUPE implications, people transitions, and cultural alignment, ensuring staff are supported through organisational changes and new client-defined values.
• Evaluate existing and target location staffing challenges, staff facilities, and wellbeing needs to inform a robust and realistic bid solution.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including the People team, Mobilisations Director, Social Value SME, Centres of Excellence, and Shared Services, to ensure alignment, identify added value, and enhance solution development.
• Understand the commercial, operational, and incentive/penalty implications of the people strategy and contribute insights into the bid financial model to support overall solution appraisal.

What We're Looking For:

Essentials

• Experienced HR practitioner
• Comfortable with relevant IT systems
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across departmental boundaries
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with external parties (eg suppliers, clients, stakeholders)
• Ability to quickly and accurately digest large, complex tender documents
• Structured, methodical approach
• Ability to stay calm and focussed under pressure, especially approaching deadlines
• Analytical skills to be able to process, blend and challenge data from multiple sources, determine trends and identify key findings
• Curiosity to broaden understanding and constructively challenge inputs
• Presentational skills to concisely summarise and articulate complex solutions
• Ability to work in an open, positive and harmonious manner within a small team
• Self-sufficient and values driven – able to progress tasks with minimal direction

Desirables

• Fully familiar with relevant legislation
• Working knowledge of transport-related HR environment, including industrial relations landscape and the application of TUPE in a transport setting
• Experience working with large, complex tender documents

Rewards & Benefits

• Competitive Salary + Bonus
• Flexible working
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Working at First you will receive a Free bus pass for you and your family after 6 months services as well as discounted train travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.

Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.