At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver exceptional public transport services across multiple sites.
- Company: Join Arriva, a values-driven leader in public transport innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and excellent benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and shape the future of public transport.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in operational roles with P&L responsibility.
- Other info: Empower your career while driving safety and sustainability in transport.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Yorkshire region (Wakefield Head Office)
Salary: Competitive + Car Allowance + Bonus + Excellent Benefits
Lead. Inspire. Deliver. Are you a proven operational leader with the drive to shape the future of public transport? At Arriva, we’re on a mission to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable bus services that connect communities and enhance everyday journeys. We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Service Delivery to lead multi-site operations, drive performance, and inspire our teams to deliver excellence every day.
The Opportunity
As Head of Service Delivery, you’ll hold full accountability for P&L, performance, safety, and compliance across several operational sites. You’ll lead passionate teams, champion Health & Safety, and ensure we provide a service that customers trust and colleagues are proud to deliver. You’ll be a visible, credible leader — balancing commercial acumen with people-focused leadership to deliver growth, innovation, and world‑class service.
What You’ll Do
- Lead multi-site operations: Drive performance across all sites, ensuring safety, service quality, and profitability targets are achieved.
- Champion Health & Safety: Set the standard for a safe, compliant, and caring work environment — safety first, always.
- Deliver exceptional service: Build partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders to improve customer satisfaction and community value.
- Inspire and develop people: Lead, motivate and grow large, high-performing teams. Foster a culture of inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Drive financial success: Own the P&L, deliver budgets, and implement initiatives that enhance efficiency and maximise EBIT.
- Innovate for the future: Identify and implement process improvements, champion change, and embed best practice across the UK Bus business.
About You
You’ll bring:
- Proven success leading large operational teams across multiple sites in a customer‑facing, safety‑critical environment.
- Full P&L responsibility experience – with a track record of driving revenue growth, cost control, and profit delivery.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with experience partnering with Trade Unions and local authorities.
- A passion for continuous improvement, operational excellence, and creating inclusive, high‑performance cultures.
- Deep understanding of Health & Safety compliance and regulatory standards.
(You will also hold statutory director responsibility for relevant legal entities.)
Why Join Arriva?
At Arriva, we don’t just move passengers — we move people, careers, and communities forward. You’ll join a values-driven business where your leadership makes a genuine impact on safety, sustainability, and service delivery across the UK. We’ll empower you to lead with purpose, innovate boldly, and make public transport better for everyone.
Ready to Drive Change?
If you’re a results-focused leader with the vision and energy to deliver outstanding service across complex operations, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and take the next step in shaping the future of bus transport with Arriva.
Head of Service Delivery in Wakefield employer: Arriva UK Bus Ltd
Contact Detail:
Arriva UK Bus Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service Delivery in Wakefield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local transport events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Arriva and its values. Understand their mission to enhance public transport and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, driven performance, and championed safety in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a credible leader during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Arriva.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service Delivery in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Service Delivery role. Highlight your leadership experience, P&L responsibility, and any relevant achievements in operational excellence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about public transport and how you can drive change at Arriva. Share specific examples of how you've inspired teams and improved service delivery in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you motivate teams, foster inclusion, and champion Health & Safety. Be authentic and let your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva UK Bus Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Service Delivery, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L management. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue growth and controlled costs in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach. Think of specific examples where you've inspired teams or fostered a culture of inclusion and accountability. Highlight how you’ve motivated large operational teams to achieve exceptional service delivery.
✨Safety First Mindset
Given the emphasis on Health & Safety, be prepared to discuss your experience in creating safe work environments. Share examples of how you've championed safety standards and compliance in past roles, and how you plan to continue this at Arriva.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since building partnerships is key, think about how you've successfully collaborated with local authorities and stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share strategies you've used to improve customer satisfaction and community value through these partnerships.