The West England Mayoral Combined Authority leads on growth, inclusion and sustainability for the vibrant areas of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset.

The West of England Combined Authority is leading on the government’s growth agenda, building on the opportunities of our region’s growth areas of innovation, advanced manufacturing, logistics and digital technology as well as the rural economy, to create a brighter, fairer, greener future for nearly one million residents.

Why Join West England Mayoral Combined Authority Now?

The West England Mayoral Combined Authority is at the centre of government priorities, making it an exciting time to come on board. With a bold commitment to grow our economy, lead on the just transition to the green economy, the MCA is leading the way in sustainable and innovative transport solutions.  By joining the MCA, you'll be at the forefront of shaping the future of transport in one of the UK's fastest growing regions, driving long-term economic, and environmental goals.

Additionally, the recent Government white paper on transport policy has set the stage for significant advancements and investments in the sector. This emphasizes the importance of sustainable transport solutions, integrated systems, and innovative technologies, aligning perfectly with the mayoral MCAs vision and goals. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organisation at the centre of government ambitions.

About the Role

The Director of Bus Operations is responsible for overseeing a high-quality bus network that connects people to opportunity throughout the region and grows bus patronage.  The role will manage both the Bus Service Improvement Plan initiative, as well as the Transport Levy. You’ll be expected to lead the delivery of this function, ensuring this aligns with the key priorities of the region, growing inclusive and sustainable travel. As a leader, you will be at the forefront of transformational change, introducing strategic plans, that meet the current needs of the organisation, whilst giving some thought to potential needs of the region and the organisation that may arise in the future.

You’ll develop and implement strategies to achieve progressive bus service transformation, taking into consideration the needs of diverse communities. Your aim is to ensure these programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and efficiency. You will need to build strong relationships with key stakeholders such as Department for Transport, commercial operators, Local Authority politicians and officers, and passenger transport advocacy groups.

About You/The Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced and credible transport expert, ready to take West of England Mayoral Combined Authority on an exciting journey to transform bus operations. you will have a deep understanding of transport service and scheme delivery processes, as well as strong knowledge of legislations, regulations, national policies and professional best practice. You will need to be financially astute, with knowledge of Public Sector funding opportunities, finance procedures, and budget management.

You will need to have a strong track record and proven ability to oversee project and programme delivery, and be able to demonstrate your successes, whilst operating within a politically sensitive landscape. Key to this is your ability to engage with key stakeholders, building productive partnerships, and taking on an ambassadorial role for the organisation, for anything related to bus operations and transformation.

As an experienced leader, you will need to be highly skilled in change management, with a proven track record of managing priorities and delivering results on time, whilst motivating a high-performing team, and addressing challenges as they arise, adopting a logical and analytical approach to problem solving. Your role will be critical both internally, but also within the external landscape, and therefore your written and verbal communication and presentational skills are essential to your success, being able to demonstrate progress, and future goals.

For an informal conversation on the role, please contact:

Marek Dobrowolski

Marek.dobrowolski@berwickpartners.co.uk

+ 44 7793 529 576

Corinne Attwood

Corinne.Attwood@berwickpartners.co.uk

+44 (0) 121 654 5954

Closing date: 9am on Monday 17th March