About First Bus: Are you ready to advance your career with one of the UK’s leading bus operators? Join a forward‑thinking company that embraces cutting‑edge bus technology, from innovative mobile apps to environmentally friendly vehicles. We are passionate about delivering passenger journeys that are sustainable, comfortable, and efficient. We are at the forefront of innovation in the industry, connecting communities and shaping the future of public transport.
Location: Overtown & Blantyre Depots | Contract: Full‑time, Permanent | Salary: up to £53,800.
Assistant Operations Manager
We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Operations Manager to join our Operations team, supporting our Overtown & Blantyre depots. This is a key leadership role for someone passionate about people, safety and service excellence, who is ready to help drive cultural and operational change in a complex, unionised environment.
Purpose of the Role
Working closely with the Operations Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading cultural change across our depots, helping us realise our ambition of becoming a truly people‑centric and customer‑focused business. You will support the delivery of safe, punctual, reliable and cost‑effective services while fostering strong engagement, high performance and a positive working environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Operations Manager in delivering a safe, punctual and cost‑efficient service.
- Lead and manage teams of people managers across multiple depots.
- Drive staff engagement across managers, supervisors, drivers and customers.
- Ensure delivery of agreed KPIs, service quality standards and budgets.
- Promote strong collaboration between operational and engineering teams.
- Act as, and support, the Site Responsible Person, ensuring full compliance with governance, legislation and company policy.
- Lead collision‑reduction initiatives and reduce staff and passenger injuries.
- Ensure effective staff planning to meet operational requirements.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with recognised trade‑union representatives.
- Manage all aspects of people management, including development, absence, performance and compliance.
- Liaise with external stakeholders to improve punctuality and reduce lost miles.
Skills and Experience
- Proven leadership experience, with the ability to provide both strategic and day‑to‑day direction.
- Experience working in a unionised environment, managing collective relationships effectively.
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
- Customer‑focused mindset with a passion for service excellence.
- Collaborative leader who builds and drives high‑performing teams.
- Strong commitment to safety and developing a positive safety culture.
- Budgetary and financial management experience, with the ability to analyse and clearly communicate performance data.
- Mentoring and coaching capability to support business delivery and people development.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and professional credibility.
- Ability to manage and travel between multiple sites, providing cover when required.
- Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Passenger Transport is desirable; willingness to work toward CPC is essential.
Rewards
- Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost, including cash‑back benefits across optical & dental, virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advice.
- 24‑hour, 365‑day mental health support via our EAP provision.
- Access to a platform with many discounts on high‑street brands and supermarkets.
- Discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service and a free bus pass.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
- Pension scheme and an option to buy discounted First Group shares.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
- Flexible working.
Equal Opportunities
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 and are always looking for skilled and talented people to join us across our sixty‑plus depots from Aberdeen to Truro. Our transformation programme is designed to reshape our business to meet tomorrow’s travel needs.
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