Director, Vehicle Maintenance

cota; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 126,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

Employee discounts

COTA bus pass

Wellness programs

On-site chair massage

On-site health coach

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Public pension

Job summary

The Director, Vehicle Maintenance at COTA leads strategic, data-driven oversight of bus fleet maintenance, directing both revenue and non-revenue vehicles to ensure reliability and readiness. The role shapes SOPs, KPIs, and continuous-improvement initiatives across maintenance operations and works with Vehicle Engineering to align with safety standards.

Ideal candidates will bring a decade of fleet maintenance leadership, experience in a union setting, and a strong focus on performance metrics

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Automotive Technology, Fleet Management, Electronics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation or related field and ten years' experience in fleet maintenance.
• 7 years' management experience in a large-scale, complex maintenance department; union environment preferred.
• ASE certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of vehicle maintenance to ensure fleet availability for service delivery.
• Develop and execute preventative and predictive maintenance programs to improve safety and reliability.
• Lead development of maintenance strategy and long-term operating philosophy; implement training programs.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven

Maintenance operations

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/related field

ASE certification

Job description

SALARY: $126,380.80- 148,678.40

LOCATION: 1600 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, OH 43222

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director, Vehicle Maintenance is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and performance management for COTA's bus fleet maintenance operations, directing and overseeing all activities for the organization's revenue and non-revenue vehicles to ensure optimal reliability and service readiness. This role leads and develops the maintenance workforce while partnering with Vehicle Engineering to establish and refine Standard Operating Procedures, key performance indicators, performance feedback systems, and other processes that uphold high-quality service standards. This position requires a highly analytical, data driven leader capable of transforming maintenance operations through performance metrics, predicative maintenance strategies, technology integration, workforce accountability, and continuous improvement. The Director balances immediate operational demands with long-term fleet lifecycle planning while fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, innovation, teamwork, and employee engagement.

Performs duties that advance COTA's Strategic Plan and reflect the organization's core values of safety, empowerment, accountability, teamwork, and service, and support the mission of Moving Every Life Forward.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Drives continuous improvements through process optimization, benchmarking, and the implementation of maintenance industry best practices;
• Provides executive oversight of all vehicle maintenance operations to ensure sufficient fleet availability for service delivery. Develops and executes preventative and predictive maintenance programs that enhance fleet safety, cleanliness, and reliability. Continuously monitors fleet performance to reduce equipment failures and improve on-time performance;
• Oversees technical analyses and engineering evaluations to strengthen vehicle design, performance, and parts longevity, ensuring full compliance with federal and state safety regulations and industry standards;
• Leads the development of the department's maintenance strategy and long-term operating philosophy. Partners with the Manager, Vehicle Maintenance Training to implement a comprehensive maintenance training program. Leads a culture of continuous improvement, trust, communication, and professional excellence across the maintenance workforce; identifies the short- and long-term fleet and equipment needs to support organizational service goals. Establishes performance standards to improve efficiency and productivity. Directs and monitors all capital and operating budget activities for the department;
• Maintains strong labor relations through fair and consistent contract administration, ensuring timely resolution of grievances and workplace concerns in alignment with collective bargaining agreements.
• Communicates departmental needs, priorities, and challenges effectively to executive leadership and to staff at all levels;
• Collaborates closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer to advance a forward-looking vision for maintenance operations, leveraging innovative technologies and progressive strategies to enhance service reliability;

• Work cross-functionally with other divisions to address operational issues, coordinate service requirements, and support organizational objectives.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Automotive Technology, Fleet Management, Electronics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation or related field and ten (10) years' progressively responsible experience in fleet maintenance, heavy-duty vehicle maintenance, or transit maintenance operations, with 7 years' of experience managing a large-scale, complex maintenance department. Managerial experience in a union environment is preferred. An equivalent combination of education or training and relevant experience.
• ASE certification preferred.

COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status