We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Operations to drive performance, reliability, and service excellence across our clients coach and bus network. This is a pivotal leadership role for someone who thrives on turning complexity into clarity, building high-performing teams, and keeping the wheels, and the business, moving forward.
This is a key leadership role requiring strong teamwork and close collaboration to deliver daily performance targets. You will promote structure, accountability, and professionalism across the operation, leading by example and fostering a culture built on mutual respect.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you’ll have full responsibility for the Engineering function, ensuring outstanding standards of safety, compliance, reliability, and cost control.
You’ll lead, develop, and motivate a skilled Engineering team while shaping strategies that support the operational and commercial needs of the business.
This is a hands-on leadership role where your decisions directly impact performance, compliance, and customer experience.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the safe, compliant and efficient delivery of depot operations, ensuring all regulatory, health & safety, and company standards are consistently met.
* Deliver agreed operational plans, budgets, and service performance targets, including punctuality, lost miles, and overall service quality.
* Drive sustainable growth through improved fleet utilisation, commercial optimisation, and development of strategic partnerships.
* Provide strong leadership to operational teams, fostering engagement, accountability, and high performance while managing workforce planning, development, and employee relations (including trade unions).
* Build and maintain effective relationships with local authorities, customers, and key external stakeholders.
* Oversee robust governance and reporting processes, ensuring compliance KPIs, safety standards, and financial controls are achieved.
What you will bring to the role
* Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role within the transport, coach, bus, logistics or fleet-based environment
* Demonstrable experience managing multi-site or depot-based operations
* Strong track record of leading large, diverse teams (drivers, engineering, supervisory and office staff)
* Experience delivering against operational KPIs including on-time performance, utilisation, safety, cost control and service standards
* Solid understanding of transport compliance, regulatory requirements and health & safety obligations (e.g. DVSA, Operator’s Licence, drivers’ hours)
* Experience managing budgets, cost control and driving operational efficiencies
* Evidence of implementing structure, process improvement and performance management frameworks
* Experience working in a fast-paced, time-critical environment where service reliability is paramount
Essential Experience & Qualifications
* CPC qualification
* Excellent knowledge and understanding of British Domestic Hours Rules and EU Drivers Hours (as defined within the Transport Act 1968 and the Working Time Regulations 1998.)
* A basic level of competence in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Email).
* A basic level of Competence in the use of Trapeze and Ticketer systems.
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