Assistant Operations Manager

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

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

• 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


• A customer‑focused mindset with a passion for service excellence


• A collaborative leader who builds and drives high‑performing teams


• A 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 towards CPC is essential

Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health \& Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical \& dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support

• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc


• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass


• Cycle to work scheme


• 25 days' holiday \+ bank holidays


• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares


• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay


• Flexible working

*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.*

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