Assistant Driver Manager

Assistant Driver Manager

Join Arriva and Lead the Future of Bus Operations. We are looking for a passionate and people-focused Assistant Driver Manager to lead, support, and develop our team of professional bus drivers while delivering safe, reliable, and exceptional customer service to the communities we serve.

• Leading, motivating, and developing a team of bus drivers to achieve high standards of safety, reliability, and customer service.
• Creating a positive and supportive working environment where drivers feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
• Conducting regular one‑to‑one meetings, performance reviews, coaching sessions, and return‑to‑work interviews.
• Supporting driver development through training, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Managing driver attendance, performance, conduct, and wellbeing in line with company policies and procedures.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant transport legislation, including tachograph regulations, driver hours, and working time directives.
• Overseeing driver rotas, shift allocation, and holiday planning to maintain operational efficiency and service reliability.
• Investigating incidents, customer complaints, and operational issues while implementing effective resolutions and corrective actions.
• Monitoring KPIs including punctuality, safety performance, fuel efficiency, and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Working closely with engineering, operations, and customer service teams to ensure seamless day‑to‑day depot performance.
• Championing a strong health and safety culture across all areas of the operation.

• Previous supervisory or management experience within the bus, transport, logistics, or wider operational sector.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with a genuine passion for developing people.
• Experience managing performance, coaching employees, and handling employee relations matters professionally and fairly.
• A solid understanding of PCV/HGV regulations, driver hours, tachograph compliance, and transport legislation.
• Excellent organisational and decision‑making abilities in a busy operational environment.
• A customer‑first mindset with a focus on delivering reliable and high‑quality public transport services.
• Strong IT skills, including experience using operational systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• A valid PCV licence would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Flexibility to support operational requirements, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Arriva is one of the UK’s leading public transport providers, operating across 11 countries with a wide range of services including buses, trains, coaches, and more. Joining Arriva means becoming part of a team that connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably.

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Ongoing leadership and management training
• Supportive and inclusive working environment
• The opportunity to shape and develop high‑performing driver teams
• A key leadership role within a respected and growing transport organisation