Driver Manager: Lead High-Performing Bus Teams & Safety

Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Career development

Leadership training

Inclusive working environment

Opportunity to lead driver teams

Job summary

Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Driver Manager to lead, support, and develop our team of bus drivers while delivering safe, reliable customer service.

You will own driver engagement, operational performance, and service delivery across the depot, conducting reviews, coaching, and development initiatives.

Join Arriva to shape depot performance, promote a strong health and safety culture, and drive continuous improvement with KPI monitoring and cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising bus drivers.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience managing performance, coaching employees and handling employee relations matters.
• Solid understanding of PCV/HGV regulations, driver hours and tachograph compliance.
• Excellent organisational and decision-making abilities in a busy operational environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of bus drivers to high safety, reliability, and customer service standards.
• Create a positive working environment where drivers feel valued and empowered.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, coaching, and return-to-work interviews.
• Support driver development through training, mentoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage driver attendance, performance, conduct, and wellbeing per company policies.
• Ensure compliance with transport legislation, tachograph regulations, driver hours, and WTDs.
• Oversee driver rotas, shift allocation, and holiday planning for efficiency.
• Investigate incidents, complaints, and issues; implement corrective actions.
• Monitor KPIs such as punctuality, safety, fuel efficiency, and customer feedback.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and customer service for depot performance.
• Champion a strong health and safety culture across operations.

Skills

People leadership

Driver management

Performance coaching

Operational excellence

IT proficiency

MS Office

PCV licence advantage

Job description

Arriva Kent & Surrey Limited in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Driver Manager to lead, support, and develop our team of bus drivers while delivering safe, reliable customer service.

You will own driver engagement, operational performance, and service delivery across the depot, conducting reviews, coaching, and development initiatives.

Join Arriva to shape depot performance, promote a strong health and safety culture, and drive continuous improvement with KPI monitoring and cross-team collaboration.