At the Great Central Railway, we’re on a mission to do something bold. As one of the UK’s leading heritage railways, we’re proud of our past — but even more excited about our future. We want to build on everything that makes this place special and take the next steps in our journey to reach new audiences and strengthen our future.
To get there, we know we need to strengthen our commercial leadership — and that’s where you might come in.
We’re not launching a formal recruitment process (yet). Instead, we’re opening a conversation. If you’re passionate about heritage, skilled at spotting opportunities, and driven by the idea of making a real difference, we’d love to talk. You might already have commercial leadership experience — or be ambitious and ready to grow into the role. What matters most is that you bring ideas, energy, and commitment.
The truth is:
· We’re a not-for-profit organisation — our resources are finite, and while this is a paid role, it won’t come with a corporate-level salary.
· We’re powered by volunteers and enthusiasts who care deeply — sometimes fiercely — about what we do. That means strong opinions, lively debates, and the occasional challenge.
· Working here is hands-on, often involving weekends and events. You’ll need to be visible, practical, and willing to muck in.
· Change isn’t easy here, but it is possible — and deeply rewarding.
If that excites you rather than puts you off, you might be exactly the kind of person we’re looking for.
What We’re Looking to Achieve Together
We want someone who can help us drive commercial growth and bring fresh thinking to three key areas:
1. Unlocking potential in our core train services — spotting opportunities, shaping offers, and increasing revenue from the heart of what we do.
2. Coordinating and overseeing special events — ensuring they’re well planned, delivered to a high standard, and make a strong contribution to both income and visitor experience.
3. Growing secondary spend — from retail and catering to experiences and add-ons, finding creative ways to increase per-head income.
The Qualities That Matter Most
We’d particularly like to hear from people who:
· Have a passion for heritage and want to see it thrive.
· Are nimble communicators who can build relationships and bring people with them.
· Are up for a challenge and motivated by the chance to deliver meaningful change.
· Want to make a difference — and take ownership of doing so.
· Understand commercial thinking in a not-for-profit setting.
· Have leadership experience or the ambition to grow into it.
How could you make a difference to the future of the Great Central Railway?
If this resonates, we’d love to start an informal, confidential conversation. Email us at recruitment@gcrailway.co.uk — and let’s explore what we could achieve together.
