UK Operations Lead in London

UK Operations Lead in London

London Full-Time 118000 - 124000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Waymo

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the UK operations for Waymo, shaping the future of autonomous driving.
  • Company: Join Waymo, a pioneer in autonomous driving technology with a mission to save lives.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus opportunities, equity incentives, and generous benefits.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for mentorship and career growth in a cutting-edge industry.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation, influencing global product design and safety standards.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in operational leadership, preferably in transportation or logistics.

The predicted salary is between 118000 - 124000 £ per year.

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driver—The World's Most Experienced Driver™—to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

Building a Regional Headquarters: You aren't just managing a team; you are building the "Waymo UK" organization. This includes hiring and mentoring the next generation of UK-based operations, safety, and policy leads.

Influence on Global Product Roadmap: As the "Voice of the UK," you will have a seat at the table with Waymo’s Executives and Engineering, directly influencing how the next Generations Waymo Driver is designed for non-US environments. In this hybrid role, you will report to the Director, Head of Operations Center.

You will:

  • Strategic Leadership & Execution: Defines and drives the UK operational road map, ensuring local growth aligns with Waymo’s global objectives and long-term expansion strategy.
  • Safety & Operational Health: Holds end-to-end accountability for regional safety standards, service reliability, and maintaining high levels of customer trust.
  • Market Entry & Scaling: Leads the "launch-to-scale" life-cycle, ensuring operational readiness, partner capabilities, and disciplined execution during UK market entry.
  • Stakeholder & Partner Management: Serves as the primary UK representative to regulators and community leaders while managing vendor performance and regional governance.
  • Cross-Functional Integration: Acts as the central hub connecting regional operations with global product, engineering, and safety teams to streamline enterprise-wide goals.
  • Financial & Talent Oversight: Manages regional budgets and cost efficiencies while mentoring leadership talent to foster a culture of accountability and excellence.

You have:

  • Senior Operational Leadership in Transportation or related field: 15+ years of experience leading large scope multi-facility operations, technology, or logistics at a senior level.
  • UK Market Entry Expertise: A proven track record of successfully launching and scaling large-scale operations specifically within the UK market.
  • Safety & Regulatory Management: Demonstrated experience managing safety-critical environments and navigating complex regulatory landscapes or strategic partnerships.
  • Governance & Performance Metrics: Expertise in defining KPIs, establishing governance structures, and setting clear operational priorities.
  • Technical & Field Integration: Proven ability to bridge the gap between engineering/product development and on-the-ground field teams.
  • Financial & Talent Oversight: Advanced proficiency in P&L management and budget oversight, paired with a history of building and mentoring high-performing leadership teams.

We prefer:

  • Autonomous Vehicle Sector Knowledge: Direct experience in the AV industry or emerging mobility technology, providing a head start on technical and safety nuances.
  • An MBA or an advanced degree: in Engineering, Logistics, or a related field from a leading institution.
  • Multi-Market Expansion: Experience scaling operations in the UK market.
  • Continuous Improvement: Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt or above or similar certification level.
  • Agile Methodology: Familiarity with agile product development cycles to better integrate with engineering and software teams.

The expected base salary range for this full-time position is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo’s discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.

Salary Range: £118,000 - £124,000 GBP

UK Operations Lead in London employer: Waymo

Waymo is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Greater London where innovation meets operational excellence. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, we provide ample opportunities for professional development while ensuring a supportive culture that values diversity and creativity. Join us to be part of a pioneering team dedicated to enhancing the rider experience in one of the world's most vibrant cities.

Waymo

Contact Details:

Waymo Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land UK Operations Lead in London

Connect with Local Logistic Groups

Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.

Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards

Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!

Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes

Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Waymo.

Apply Directly with Us!

When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Waymo. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!

We think you need these skills to ace UK Operations Lead in London

Strategic Leadership
Operational Roadmap Development
Safety Management
Market Entry Expertise
Stakeholder Management
Cross-Functional Integration
Financial Oversight

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Waymo, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!

Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.

Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Waymo and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Waymo. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!

How to prepare for a job interview at Waymo

Know Your Logistics Basics

Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.

Highlight Your Teamwork Experience

Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Waymo.

Show Off Your Attention to Detail

In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Waymo.