Head of Operations

Slough, Berkshire
Holt Recruitment Ltd

Head of Operations
Salary: £70,000 + £350 Car allowance
Location: Heathrow

I m recruiting for a Head of Operations on behalf of a well-established UK bus operator.
This is a senior, depot-based leadership role, reporting directly to the Managing Director, with full responsibility for operational performance, safety, people, and service delivery.

The Role of the Head of Operations

• Lead all day-to-day bus operations
• Manage drivers, supervisors, and traffic/allocations teams
• Own depot performance, compliance, and customer experience
• Drive operational efficiency, reliability, and profitability
• Be a visible, professional leader who sets standards and leads by example

Key Responsibilities of the Head of Operations

• Full accountability for depot and operational staff performance
• Ensure DVSA, operator licence & Health & Safety compliance
• Deliver service levels, budgets, and agreed KPIs
• Plan staffing to meet daily and future operational demand
• Manage HR matters, appraisals, conduct, absence, and training
• Lead driver inductions and ongoing development
• Drive collision reduction, injury prevention, and passenger safety
• Maintain strong relationships with trade unions and local authorities
• Improve punctuality, lost miles, and service performance
• Ensure correct cash handling and reporting procedures
• Identify revenue opportunities (fleet use, contracts, partnerships)

KPI Accountability (Daily)
You ll ensure your management team delivers:

• Drug & alcohol testing
• Driving licence checks
• Gate checks (run-out & run-back)
• Service monitoring (roadside / ticketer)
• Depot departure punctuality checks
  (All KPIs recorded and reported electronically)

What You ll Need as the Head of Operations

• Senior operations experience within bus / coach / transport
• Strong knowledge of Drivers Hours & Working Time Regulations
• Confident managing large driver teams and depot operations#

• Transport Manager CPC (Essential)

• Experience working with trade unions
• IT-literate (Microsoft Office)
• Trapeze & Ticketer knowledge (desirable)

If you are interested in the Head of Operations role, then please apply today.