Location Manager

First Student•Normal, IL

About The Position

The Location Manager provides operational oversight and day-to-day management for a specific location, serving as a primary customer interface and ensuring required internal and external reporting and compliance. The role represents company management in dealings with school officials on passenger management, routing, billing, charter activities, driver issues, safety, fleet maintenance, and logistics. It directly supervises exempt and non-exempt staff and has responsibility for financial performance and the full employee lifecycle for direct reports, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, retention, development, performance management, salary adjustments, employee relations, and termination. The manager leads location operations across safety, maintenance, dispatch, fleet and facility management, payroll, routing and scheduling, accounts receivable and payable, and related functions. The role ensures safe and timely transportation, contract compliance, strong customer relationships and retention, efficient use of resources, and adherence to applicable regulatory, contractual, and company requirements. It develops and manages location budgets and forecasts, monitors financial performance, supports local charter and commercial growth, and provides operational and financial reporting. The role also develops and coaches employees, promotes company initiatives, manages training completion and compliance, addresses staffing needs, and maintains relationships with employees, school officials, parents, community members, and union representatives where applicable. The position requires English proficiency for job-related communications and training.

Requirements

A four-year degree or equivalent experience; high school diploma or equivalent.
At least 3 years of management experience, including 1 year managing a small location or equivalent management responsibility.
At least 5 years of operations experience.
Commitment to a safety-focused work culture.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to use technology for managing operations, including approved smart technology, apps, encrypted drives, and shared drives.
Strong oral and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with customers, parents, and the community.
Financial and budgeting skills, including the ability to interpret and analyze profit-and-loss statements, budgets, and forecasts.
Business background in financial, strategic, and organizational analysis.
Ability to work with others in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and provide leadership.
Ability to move about the office and between floors, use standard office equipment, access filing systems and cabinets, and communicate effectively in person or by telephone.
English proficiency for job-related training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other communications.

Nice To Haves

Experience with software such as timekeeping and payroll systems.

Responsibilities

Ensure the safe and timely transportation of passengers to and from their destinations.
Lead day-to-day location activities across operations, safety, maintenance, dispatch, fleet and facility management, payroll, routing and scheduling, accounts receivable and payable, and related functions.
Directly supervise staff and manage recruiting, hiring, onboarding, retention, performance development and management, employee relations, salary adjustments, and termination for direct reports.
Manage operational expenses and optimize cost per bus while ensuring services are delivered within budget.
Manage contractual services and related administrative functions, information systems, parts purchasing, and inventory control; ensure purchases follow company processes and policies.
Oversee customer contract compliance and management, including staffing, driver and vehicle requirements, KPIs, billing, budgets, contract-specific technologies, and customer retention.
Build and maintain productive relationships with employees, school officials, parents, customers, senior management, and the community; resolve concerns and respond to customer inquiries and complaints.
Communicate with customers by telephone, electronically, and in face-to-face meetings; escalate priority issues and follow up as needed.
Develop action plans for customer retention and operational efficiency, and communicate or escalate issues to the AGM or senior management as appropriate.
Develop, prepare, analyze, and manage location budgets and forecasts; identify and address variances and provide timely operational and financial reporting.
Maximize charter revenue and support the AGM in identifying or bidding on local commercial growth opportunities.
Recruit, onboard, train, coach, develop, and recognize location employees; support team building, succession planning, and staff development plans.
Ensure required online learning courses are completed by location employees and personally complete required courses.
Manage compliance with federal, state, local, contractual, and company policies and procedures, including safety, security, and applicable regulations.
Manage injury and collision claims and involve appropriate leadership in security matters.
Maintain company assets, including vehicles, facilities, inventories, tools, and equipment; ensure facilities and buses meet safety, regulatory, and environmental standards.
Set accurate scheduled hours for routes and minimize route drive times and mileage while meeting contractual and regulatory requirements.
Assess staffing and resource needs, track labor variances, use standby drivers efficiently, and plan for staffing trends and problems.
Partner with Corporate Recruiting on driver-shortage strategies and with Compensation on local wage-market information.
Administer applicable local and national collective bargaining agreements, investigate and defend grievances, participate in union negotiations with regional and corporate partners, and maintain productive relationships with local union officials.
Promote employee engagement, recognition, company initiatives, and location-sponsored community or employee events.
May mentor Location Manager I employees at other locations and perform other responsibilities as assigned or requested.