At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safe and reliable bus operations across multiple depots, driving performance improvement.
- Company: First Bus, committed to inclusivity and diverse backgrounds.
- Benefits: Competitive salary with up to 30% annual bonus and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public transport and support local communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex operations and strong leadership skills required.
As part of our transformation programme, we are strengthening operational leadership across the business to match leadership capacity with the scale and complexity of our markets. The Senior General Manager role plays a critical part in delivering that ambition.
About the role
The Senior General Manager leads the delivery of safe, reliable and high-performing bus operations across a complex operating area or cluster of depots. Reporting to a Service Delivery Director, this role provides senior operational leadership across multiple locations, integrating operational and engineering performance while leading service recovery and sustained performance improvement where required. You will oversee depot leadership teams, providing clear direction, coaching and intervention in complex or high-risk environments. The role also acts as a key escalation point for operational, safety and people matters, ensuring consistent standards, strong governance and high-quality customer outcomes across the area.
Key responsibilities
- Own end-to-end service delivery performance across the operating area, ensuring safe, punctual and reliable services across multiple depots.
- Lead recovery and stabilisation 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, prioritise interventions and drive sustained service improvement.
- Ensure strong governance, safety and regulatory compliance across all operational activity within the area.
- Support delivery of regional operational improvement initiatives and transformation programmes.
- Make operational decisions with a clear understanding of commercial impact, protecting revenue performance, cost efficiency and customer outcomes.
About you
- 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 behaviours.
- Passionate about delivering safe, reliable services that support customers and local communities.
Salary - Competitive, plus up to 30% annual bonus.
Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all. Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.
Senior General Manager in Glasgow employer: FirstGroup Internal
At First Bus, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive environment. With competitive salaries and performance-based bonuses, we are committed to delivering safe and reliable services while nurturing the next generation of operational leaders in the public transport sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior General Manager in Glasgow
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior General Manager in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to FirstGroup Internal.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of FirstGroup Internal. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at FirstGroup Internal
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with FirstGroup Internal, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at FirstGroup Internal, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
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Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for FirstGroup Internal could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at FirstGroup Internal as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
