Head of Operations - Transport in Ipswich

As Head of Operations, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering both operational compliance and high levels of service delivery. You will ensure our stakeholders are well informed and are responsible for delivering excellent customer service throughout with the support of the Operations. You will directly manage the Operations team and will drive growth and capability across the department and wider business.

You will also manage our client relationship and ensure the organisation is meeting its contractual obligations. This position reports directly to the Account Director and requires exceptional leadership, tactical thinking, and strong people skills. Due to the early stages of this business, this role is incredibly broad. The Head of Operations will need to balance the tactical delivery of the operation to a key client, alongside core operational day to day deliverables. The ability to switch between all elements of this function will be key in helping us and our people grow over the coming years.

Summary of benefits:

• Pension – 5% contributory pension matched by us.
• Employee retail discount scheme
• Free bus travel & significantly reduced rail travel for you & family members
• Life assurance
• Health benefits
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Duties include:

• Work closely with the wider team to deliver the Business initiatives and goals.
• Work closely with the scheduler to ensure all client requested changes are responded to positively and promptly.
• Represent SPS as a Transport Manager on the Operators Licence and ensure full compliance with DVSA regulations.
• Ensure the operation is meeting all contractual KPIs.
• Setting aims, objectives and priorities within the team to deliver key KPIs.
• Leading, developing and managing the Operations team in accordance with SPS policies and procedures.
• Representing SPS through engagement with key client representatives, continuing to maintain an excellent partnership in delivering shared objectives.
• Developing and leading my team through effective communication, active listening, awareness of mental health issues and support and recognition.
• Engage key stakeholders, working collaboratively to reduce the Accident Frequency rate and enhance safety.
• Ensuring the core principles of service delivery are fully embedded and the need for continuous change and improvement to ensure SPS continues to thrive is fully understood.
• Dynamically analysing data both retrospectively and proactively to identify key issues and suggest and implement actions for improvement to ensure continuous improvement of performance.
• Ensuring day to day collaboration between operational and engineering team members to ensure exceptional service delivery is maintained.
• Leading and supporting internal and client meetings.
• Promoting a positive attitude to safety through personal leadership and challenging and championing safety behaviours.
• Supporting the on-boarding and development of a team who are engaged, talented and high performing; nurturing an innovative and continuous improvement culture.
• Implementing continuous improvement in service performance to ensure the Business KPIs are always met.
• Ensure that controls are in place to manage and mitigate risk, providing assurance of compliance to the Transport Managers and Executive team.
• Maintaining an effective working relationship with recognised trade union representatives and officials.
• Full compliance with all SPS policies and procedures and statutory regulations.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential:

• Results-driven and tactically focussed, with a strong ability to get into the detail when necessary.
• Team player, wholly committed to working with and supporting their peer group and other colleagues to achieve the SPS strategy.
• Able to work in a demanding operating environment working towards consistent delivery of service performance.
• 5 years in an Operational Leadership role.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience of working alongside a Trade Union.
• UK Driving Licence.
• Transport Managers, Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Desirable:

• Experience in the transport sector.
• Experience of managing a high profile and demanding contract.
• L5 Operations Manager qualification.
• Knowledge of transport legislation & licence.
• H&S qualification or related experience.

All employees must be willing to undergo the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check and obtain a DBS certificate. These checks help ensure the honesty and integrity of individuals working at a Nuclear Licensed Site or with sensitive nuclear information. SPS Bus welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to diversity and inclusion regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or age.