Operations Manager, Via Student Transit

Via•San Jose, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

As an Operations Manager on Via’s Student Transit team, you are the force that keeps critical student transportation services running reliably for the communities that depend on them. This is a high-ownership, boots-on-the-ground role where you’ll lead daily operations, tackle real-time challenges, and continuously elevate the student, district, and driver experience in one of Via’s fastest-growing and most impactful business lines. This is a fully in-person position with the expectation that you will be onsite 4-5 days per week.

Requirements

Operationally experienced, with a background in people management, logistics, customer service, or process-oriented work.
Relationship oriented, earning trust from drivers, school partners/districts, and teammates through clear communication and follow-through.
Hands-on and proactive, preferring to be in the field, learning the service firsthand, and solving problems where they happen.
Tactical and strategic, able to problem-solve issues as they come up but also think long term about solutions to mitigate these occurrences.
Mission driven, understanding the value of student transportation in shaping people’s education and their life trajectory.
Based in the Sacramento, San Jose, or Santa Rosa area.

Responsibilities

Run the daily onsite operations of our service, ensuring smooth operations for safe, reliable, and accessible transportation.
Make informed, real-time decisions about driver supply, compliance, student needs, and unexpected issues to ensure excellent and dependable service.
Guide and support drivers, building strong relationships, addressing concerns, and ensuring they feel equipped to deliver great service.
Turn student and district feedback into tangible improvements by spotting patterns and collaborating with internal teams for operational enhancements.
Use data and technology to understand service performance, diagnose problems, and implement solutions that enhance efficiency and rider experience.
Act as a key operational bridge between school partners, drivers, and Via central teams to deliver high-quality service and support growth.