Business Manager

About the role

The will join the team to drive the expansion of our train travel offerings across Europe, taking ownership of the commercial strategy and execution for this critical growth pillar. This role requires developing robust strategies, managing key partnerships, and actively contributing to new business ventures within a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You will work collaboratively with various departments including Product, Engineering, Finance, and Legal to enhance our multimodal marketplace and ensure seamless integration of rail offerings. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying high-impact growth levers and translating complex strategic goals into concrete, actionable plans that can be executed efficiently. You will be instrumental in shaping the commercial trajectory of our rail initiatives, directly influencing how millions of travelers discover, evaluate, and book train journeys across the continent. Success in this role will depend heavily on your ability to synthesize complex market data, derive actionable insights, and communicate these findings clearly to both strategic partners and executive leadership.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the growth of our train distribution business in both new and existing European markets by establishing clear commercial objectives, deploying targeted initiatives, and rigorously monitoring performance metrics to ensure alignment with overall business goals.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies designed to improve the profitability of the train business through sophisticated pricing optimization techniques and precise market positioning against key competitors.
• Manage critical relationships and negotiate strategic agreements with major rail operators and global distribution system providers to secure highly favorable commercial terms and ensure mutual value creation.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of the evolving European rail market landscape, identifying emerging opportunities and potential risks, and utilizing data-driven insights to formulate well-founded strategic recommendations for leadership consideration.
• Collaborate closely with Product and Engineering teams to define the end-to-end train product roadmap, ensuring that all developments are meticulously aligned with evolving user needs and technical constraints.
• Work synergistically with Finance, Legal, and Customer Care departments to guarantee smooth day-to-day operations and to resolve any cross-functional issues efficiently and professionally.
• Explore, design, and launch new business-to-business revenue streams for train services, constantly seeking innovative monetization models that maximize the commercial potential of our platform.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for secondary European markets that do not currently have a local General Manager, ensuring consistent brand application and growth initiatives are maintained remotely.
• Demonstrate exceptional flexibility and resilience by supporting high-impact business projects and shifting priorities as needed, thriving within our fast-moving startup environment.
• Partner intensively with the Marketing team to develop and execute compelling campaigns that significantly increase awareness and adoption of train options among our platform users.
• Continuously monitor competitor activity across key markets and benchmark our train offerings against industry standards to maintain a distinct and sustainable competitive edge in the rail sector.
• Facilitate structured workshops with diverse internal stakeholders to gather detailed requirements, reconcile differing viewpoints, and align on strategic priorities for the expansion of train operations.
• Prepare comprehensive executive-level reports that highlight key performance indicators, trend analyses, and specific growth opportunities for thorough review by senior leadership.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all rail partners, ensuring interactions reflect a cohesive, professional, and trustworthy representation of the Blablacar brand at all times.

Requirements

• Hold a Master's Degree in Business, Management, or Finance from an accredited institution, demonstrating a solid foundational knowledge of core business principles and practices.
• Bring a minimum of 2 to 3 years of professional experience in management consulting, high-growth startups, or business development roles, with proven exposure to commercial growth initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong analytical capabilities and robust project management abilities, with proficiency in simultaneously handling multiple deadlines and complex deliverables under pressure.
• Show excellent commercial understanding, an entrepreneurial spirit, and hands-on experience with negotiation tactics and strategic account management in B2B contexts.
• Communicate fluently in both French and English, encompassing written and verbal proficiency, to engage effectively with internal colleagues and external partners across various levels.
• Exhibit a high level of integrity, strong ethical standards, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining consistent ownership of outcomes.
• Possess a proven track record of achieving demanding targets within complex and evolving commercial environments, adapting strategies as market conditions change.
• Be thoroughly comfortable navigating significant ambiguity and making sound decisions with incomplete information in a context that moves at a rapid pace.
• Have a deep-seated interest in sustainable mobility solutions and a clear understanding of the critical role that rail infrastructure plays in reducing carbon emissions and supporting environmental goals.

Nice to have

• Show proficiency in a third European language, such as German, Italian, or Spanish, to significantly expand our reach into additional European markets and enhance partner relationships.
• Bring previous experience working specifically within the rail sector or the broader travel technology industry, which could help accelerate your positive impact and reduce onboarding time.

Practical notes

• BlaBlaCar is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.