Lead Scheduler, Transport Operations & Optimisation

First Group; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing plans

Employee discounts platform

Discounted train travel for you and a

Free bus pass

Cycle to work scheme

Up to 25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme and share opportunities

Job summary

First Bus in the UK is seeking a Schedules Manager to lead the scheduling function for driver duties and rosters across Sheffield, Bristol or Leeds. You will drive efficiency, wellbeing, and service delivery while managing a local team.

Reporting to the UK Head of Schedules, you will collaborate with Network Planning, Operations and HR, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to continuous improvement and tender support across the business.

Qualifications

• Experience leading scheduling teams in transport operations.
• Strong numeracy and data literacy for workforce planning.
• Experience with driver hours regulation and scheduling compliance.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and negotiate with unions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimisation of driver duties and rosters.
• Collaborate with Network Planning, Operations and HR to align schedules with objectives.
• Act as primary escalation point for trade union engagement on scheduling matters.
• Ensure team adherence to SLAs and Service Change Checkpoints.
• Coordinate resource allocation and team resilience across scheduling teams.
• Contribute to crisis and contingency planning for service disruptions.
• Drive continuous improvement in scheduling practices with best-in-class tools.
• Oversee regulatory compliance including driver hours and data submissions.
• Support integrated tender and franchise bidding with robust scheduling analysis.
• Perform ad-hoc duties as deemed by the UK Head of Schedules.

Skills

Leadership and Team Management

Analytical and Planning Expertise

Technical Scheduling Proficiency

Communication and Stakeholder Eng.

Commercial and Financial Acumen

Regulatory and Legal Knowledge

EV Management

Performance Under Pressure

Local Operational Insight

Tools

Optibus

Job description

First Bus in the UK is seeking a Schedules Manager to lead the scheduling function for driver duties and rosters across Sheffield, Bristol or Leeds. You will drive efficiency, wellbeing, and service delivery while managing a local team.

Reporting to the UK Head of Schedules, you will collaborate with Network Planning, Operations and HR, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to continuous improvement and tender support across the business.