An opportunity is now open to join Merseyrail’s Ticketing and Retail team as Fares & Retail Systems Manager. This role implements Merseyrail’s fares setting and is integral in both the day to day running and future innovations of the department. It is a really exciting time to be joining the team, with the Future Ticketing Programme a key focus of the modernisation of Merseyrail alongside the role out of the pioneering new fleet of trains.  

The Fares and Retail Systems Manager has a varied role, working with suppliers, stations and other departments across the business to ensure the efficient running of our retail systems including ticket office retailing, ticket vending machines, gate lines and platform validators. The role also has the opportunity to influence future strategy, by using retail data and industry knowledge to provide recommendations.

Key responsibilities

Below outlines the key responsibilities of the role for which training will be provided.

• Manage the fare setting rounds including implementing prices and gaining necessary internal and external approval.
• Maintain fares by identifying, challenging and correcting fare anomalies.
• Take ownership for maintaining business as usual systems, working with suppliers and station teams to ensure that, ticket office systems, ticket vending machines, platform validators and gate lines are running reliably and exceed the needs of the customer. Introductory training on each of the specific supplier’s systems is provided.
• Work closely with Merseyrail’s Audit team to ensure that all PCI-DSS and fare settings procedures are met.
• Conduct regular service reviews with suppliers to ensure that Service Level Agreements are met, and any required system updates are coordinated and deployed efficiently.
• Work with the Senior Revenue Analyst and Finance Business Partners on Merseyrail’s ticketing fare reviews and comparisons, pricing recommendations, ticket product reviews and on risk and reward forecasts.
• Stay up to date on industry ticket developments, raising any implications for Merseyrail in relevant groups.
• Create briefs for the wider business on any changes to tickets and their acceptance.
• Following training, configuration of smart products across both retail and validation devices.
• Support the implementation, transition, growth and maintenance of future ticketing including systems support and testing.

The ideal candidate should have the following skills and experience:

• Experience in a ticketing role, ideally in fares setting, is desirable but not essential.
• Experience that demonstrates skills in understanding technical systems.
• Experience in managing suppliers of technical systems is an advantage.
• Previous success in working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• The ability to manage a varied workload and problem solve under pressure.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Core MS Office skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) at an intermediate level.

For more details on the role’s responsibilities and all essential and desirable skills please read the full job description (attached).

Please note:

To apply for this role, please send a CV and covering letter of no more than 1 side of A4, setting out clearly how your skills and experience match those described in the job description documents. Applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered for this role.

Hybrid working is offered as part of this role, with some days based in Merseyrail’s Liverpool office and the option to work from home on other days.

Successful candidates will be invited to complete an online assessment and attend an interview.

For further information please contact Jen Abram, Head of Retail and Ticketing via email: Jabram@Merseyrail.org

As an equal opportunities employer, Merseyrail particularly welcomes applications from Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds as they are currently underrepresented throughout the UK. All appointments will be made on merit of skill and experience relative to the role.