
Head of Operations – Buckinghamshire
Full Time Oxford Bus in Head of Operations Shortlist Email JobJob Description
Hours: 40 hours with flexibility
Reporting to: Head of Operations
Job Location: Carousel Depot with the requirement to travel if needed by the business.
The post attracts benefits of free travel, a contributory pension, a lifestyle discount scheme, an employee assistant programme, 20 days paid holiday, plus an allowance of 8 days which may or may not be taken on a public holiday, per annum and a loyalty bonus.
Oxford Bus Group actively encourages development from within the company.
Carousel Buses has a workforce of over 150 colleagues and operates around 90 buses. We provide local bus services in and around South Buckinghamshire, radiating from High Wycombe, where our depot is located. Our buses serve several locations, including Reading, Slough, Uxbridge and Heathrow Airport.
As a result of the recent expansion of Carousel Buses, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an Operations Manager to join the team. Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will be responsible for controlling and managing the Operations Team and ensuring the smooth, legal and efficient operation of the services we offer.
To be accountable for the smooth, legal and efficient operation of bus services for Carousel Buses, whilst looking at ways of generating revenue and increasing efficiencies, as well as ensuring the Operations Team offer the highest standards to customers and colleagues at all times.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Act as a Transport Manager on the Carousel Buses Operator’s licence
- Responsibility for the operational compliance of our contract operations, including Johnson & Johnson and our Pick Me Up Service, as well as any future contracts, whilst building strong and sustainable relationships with these key customers.
- Maintain good working relationships with Unite the Union representatives where they are in place.
- Ensure that our customers receive the best possible standard of service in terms of reliability, punctuality and professionalism at all times.
- Monitor compliance, liaising with the Head of Commercial, to maximise tracking performance, and address punctuality concerns. Deal with punctuality improvement partnerships where they exist, ensuring that targets agreed are reached and maintained.
- Complete all required daily, period and annual reports & KPI’s within the agreed timescale.s
- Conduct and carry out fact-finding meetings, colleague interviews and disciplinary meetings, as well as return-to-work interviews following absence, as necessary.
- Ensure correct processes and practices are in place to achieve optimum performance, productivity, efficiency and profitability of the business.
- Ensure legal compliance across all areas of the business, including driver hours compliance and DVSA reporting of incidents.
- Improve the customer experience by ensuring the correct driving and customer service standards are maintained, addressing issues encountered where required.
- Work with new and existing stakeholders and ensure service and delivery is of the highest nature to become the supplier of choice.
- Management of direct reports to ensure workload and type are appropriate for the roles.
- Set challenging targets for, and ensure close management of, direct reports. This would include effective resource planning, training, succession and talent planning.
- Ensure the Operations Teams at Carousel Buses are on target for completing appraisals and any disciplinary matters being investigated.
- Ensure regular team meetings are held, providing relevant information and clear departmental messages positively.
- Address poor performance and poor attitudes, in an appropriate and timely manner.
- Mentoring and coaching of the team to maintain, to adjust and improve performance where required
- Support the Head of Operations so they can perform to the optimum standard in their role.
- Provide strategic vision with a drive to grow the business and be able to present a coherent business case.
- Implement and ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, with the ability to explain any breaches and ensure lessons are learnt from any breach.
- Able to understand each reporting line of the budget and able to explain any deviation from the target, with suggestions for rectification
- Ensure colleague holidays are in line with agreed set limits to prevent coverage issues, and that spare driving colleagues are fully utilised when not required to drive.
- Pro-active approach to improving employee engagement and the way to communicate with employees
- At all times be an ambassador of Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses, City Sightseeing, Oxford and bus use in general.
- Operate in line with the Company vision and values and encourage others to do the same.
- Undertake any other duties and responsibilities of a similar nature or level of responsibility which may be allocated from time to time by a relevant manager.
- For a full job description, please email jobs@oxfordbus.co.uk.
- If you wish to apply, please submit a CV and short covering letter to the HR Team, Admin Office, Oxford Bus Company, Cowley House, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6GA or to jobs@oxfordbus.co.uk.
- Your covering letter should clearly explain the skills and attributes you have to be successful in the role.
Closing date for applications is 19th September 2025
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from throughout the community.