Managing Director

salary commensurate with experience

Like the idea of being at the forefront of public transport in London – operating our iconic red buses in a city with the reputation of having one of the best transport networks in the world? So how about taking on one of the most challenging roles you're likely to come across? This is one of the biggest jobs in our business.

On the basis you're still reading and haven't shied away from answering the questions above with a firm 'yes', we may well have the perfect career opportunity for you as the Managing Director of our London operating company – the biggest within our business and still growing, and we now need to find the very best in the business to take on the role.

There is no doubt about it – this job is going to be challenging and everything you'd expect from a role of this magnitude. That also means it's going to be hugely rewarding, and will continually give you a sense of achievement – after all, this is a high profile role within the overall Stagecoach business.

Speaking of the Stagecoach business, let's tell you about it???

Operating contracts on behalf of Transport for London, Stagecoach London provides millions of passenger journeys every year, employs over 4,000 colleagues and operates over 1,300 vehicles across east and south east London. Performance driven by the demanding TfL contracting and tendering partnership model means that the focus in our business is remaining competitive in a challenging operating market, as well as exploring opportunities in relation to business growth. We also have a commercial element to our business, including running a London sightseeing joint venture. Not only are we a highly successful business, we're also an integral part of the communities we serve, connecting people through our operations to each other, and all the activities they do.

The London business is one of 18 regional bus operating companies in Stagecoach, covering public transport services from as far north as Orkney all the way down to Plymouth – and with our Megabus and Supertram operations too we are the UK's leading operator.

So what will you be letting yourself in for?

It's no surprise that public transport, as with many other sectors, has suffered at the hands of COVID–19. We continue to feel the impact of this, and whilst we're hugely confident in our continued recovery, the challenges associated with running bus operations in the London tendered market won't be going away anytime soon.

With that in mind, you'll need to be of the 'together from the front' mentality to succeed in this role, and will want to take this opportunity to lead the incredible group of colleagues that make up the London business.

Whilst there'll be plenty to keep you behind a desk, you'll definitely not be locked away in an office every day. Visible leadership is crucial – and it will give you an incredible exposure to the business which is set to continue to deliver on the performance improvement agenda.

Ultimately, as MD you'll provide exceptional leadership that drives profitable growth, ensuring the business has a strong and respected brand and profile, achieves high standards of operational performance, and is recognised as a market leader in change and innovation.

To do this you'll be the person to:

* Develop the medium to long–term strategy for Stagecoach London, focusing on improving commercial viability through the London tendering market, creating new business opportunities by taking the initiative, setting stretching targets, and providing support, financial expertise and challenge to your leadership team;

* Foster a developmental culture, whereby everyone is encouraged to take ownership for their professional development and proactively enhance their knowledge and capabilities;

* Drive the cultural change and performance improvement agenda across the business with the goal of improving the quality of support delivered in terms of strategic development, business plan delivery and cost efficiency;

* Proactively network, lobby and manage key stakeholders in the public transport sector, in the bus industry, in Transport for London and the local authorities, in government and elsewhere to ensure that our interests are heard and that we lead the way on setting the future transport agenda.

If you are interested in this role, it's fair to say we need some specific experience:

For this particular role, it's important that you have a proven track record within public transport, preferably including buses. It's likely that you'll be an existing Managing Director or equivalent level within your organisation.

You'll have a passion for public transport and be a firm believer in its future, and its ability to be at the heart of a strong economy, a strong society, a better environment and an inclusive community.

You'll be able to provide trusted, inclusive and collaborative leadership to deliver profitable growth to our business, and have evidence of doing this in previous roles in large businesses or operating functions where you've managed multi–million budgets.

Given the political agenda around public transport, you'll need to be very comfortable developing key stakeholder relationships – you'll be an adept influencer with strong interpersonal skills, familiar with operating at executive levels.

You'll be able to demonstrate evidence of managing change, developing commercial opportunities – and be focussed equally on the people agenda. We want to be both an Employer of Choice and an Operator of Choice.

And that's about it!

If you're equipped and committed to step into this incredible role, please apply via our careers site. If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Lewis Schrier, Resourcing Lead at Stagecoach London.

Stagecoach workplace culture is one where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences our people bring to the business are celebrated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of background, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation or age