Senior General Manager

First Bus•Caledonia, MI

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

First Bus is a leading UK bus operator committed to innovation in public transport, including mobile apps and eco-friendly vehicles. They focus on delivering sustainable, comfortable, and efficient passenger journeys. As part of a transformation program, they are enhancing operational leadership to manage the scale and complexity of their markets. The Senior General Manager role is crucial to this ambition, leading safe, reliable, and high-performing bus operations across complex operating areas or clusters of depots. This role provides senior operational leadership, integrating operational and engineering performance, and leading service recovery and improvement. The Senior General Manager will oversee depot leadership teams, offer direction and coaching, and act as a key escalation point for operational, safety, and people matters, ensuring consistent standards and customer outcomes.

Requirements

Senior operational leader with experience managing complex, multi-site operations in safety-critical or regulated environments.
Proven track record of delivering operational performance and leading recovery or improvement across multiple locations.
Strong experience working closely with engineering or technical teams to deliver fleet reliability and operational performance.
Highly capable people leader with experience developing senior managers and building leadership capability.
Commercially aware, able to balance operational decisions with financial and customer outcomes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, able to use data and insight to drive improvement.
Resilient and visible leader who builds trust, drives accountability, and role models strong leadership behaviors.
Passionate about delivering safe, reliable services that support customers and local communities.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end service delivery performance across the operating area, ensuring safe, punctual, and reliable services across multiple depots.
Lead recovery and stabilization in complex or underperforming locations, addressing systemic operational and engineering issues.
Integrate operational and engineering planning to ensure fleet reliability, compliance, and service continuity.
Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to depot management teams, strengthening capability and building succession for future operational leaders.
Use operational and customer insight to identify performance risks, prioritize interventions, and drive sustained service improvement.
Ensure strong governance, safety, and regulatory compliance across all operational activity within the area.
Support the delivery of regional operational improvement initiatives and transformation programs.
Make operational decisions with a clear understanding of commercial impact, protecting revenue performance, cost efficiency, and customer outcomes.