Manager in Development

First Student•Danbury, CT

4d•Onsite

About The Position

First Student is now hiring a Manager in Development! Manager in Development (MID) – Danbury, CT Region. The Manager in Development program is designed to prepare future First Student leaders through hands-on operational experience, structured development, and direct mentorship from experienced managers. During the program, you’ll gain exposure to the many moving parts that keep a student transportation operation running safely and efficiently. You’ll work alongside local and regional leaders while developing the operational, leadership, and people-management skills needed to successfully manage a First Student location. This is a fully on-site position. Candidates must be based in the Danbury, CT region or be able to reasonably and reliably commute to Danbury. Upon successful completion of the MID program, candidates may be placed into a management opportunity at one of 12 First Student locations within the Danbury, CT region, based on business needs and available opportunities.

Requirements

Leadership potential and a strong desire to learn, grow, and advance
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Sound problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, people-focused environment
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing operational needs
A hands-on leadership style and willingness to work alongside frontline teams
Ability to work Monday through Friday, with hours varying between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Ability to work fully on-site in Danbury and remain flexible for future placement within the Danbury, CT region

Nice To Haves

Previous operations, transportation, supervisory, or management experience is a plus, but not required

Responsibilities

Learn the day-to-day operations of a First Student location from the ground up
Participate in rotations across multiple departments, including dispatch, road supervision, safety, finance, human resources, and maintenance
Work side-by-side with experienced managers to learn staffing, scheduling, employee relations, safety, compliance, and customer service
Gain hands-on experience supporting daily transportation operations
Assist with driver and staff performance, attendance, scheduling, and operational needs
Build strong relationships with staff, drivers, and school district partners
Lead projects, troubleshoot operational challenges, and identify opportunities for process improvement
Learn First Student policies, procedures, safety standards, and regulatory requirements
Develop an understanding of location financial performance, budgeting, staffing, and operational metrics
Support the Location Manager and leadership team with daily operational priorities