East Regional Operations Leader — Scale & On-Time

Zum; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Zūm is seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead multi-market P&L, drive on-time performance, and manage operations across the East region in a fast-growing student transportation startup. This role demands hands-on leadership, SOP development, and cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Legal, Finance, HR, and Technology.

You will guide general managers and field managers, shape the operating rhythm, and ensure safety and compliance while scaling districts, yards, and services to meet

Qualifications

• 10+ years in operations, including 5+ leading multi-site or multi-region teams in student transportation, logistics, or safety-critical field operations.
• Experience in high-growth or turnaround settings, launching sites and building process from scratch.
• Strong financial skills: budgeting, forecasting, expense control, and AR management.
• Direct union experience (CBA administration, grievances, discipline, bargaining) and skill in renewals and escalations with districts and unions.
• Command of DOT/FMCSA, CDL, and state pupil-transportation requirements.
• Public-sector contract experience, including SLAs and liquidated damages.
• Fluency with operational and workforce data, turned into weekly action.
• Strong multitasking and proactive planning; exceptional written and verbal communication.
• Willingness to travel.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Regional operations: Own on-time performance, coverage, and service quality.
• Financials: Own the regional P&L, budget, forecast accuracy, and expense control.
• Renewals and collections: Lead renewals and AR, including disputed invoices and liquidated damages.
• Escalations: Be the escalation point for district and union contract disputes, working with Legal and HR.
• HQ liaison: Connect field operations with Sales, Customer Success, Finance, HR, Legal, Safety, and Technology.
• People leadership: Lead and coach GMs and field managers, handle performance issues, and run promotion panels.
• Safety and compliance: Lead incident reviews, make documented discipline decisions, and oversee training and records.
• Labor relations: Support bargaining, grievances, arbitration, and CBA implementation.
• Customer relationships: Serve as senior operational contact for district leaders.
• Driver pipeline: Oversee hiring, spare ratios, CDL training, retention, and recognition.
• Fleet and technology: Evaluate routing vendors and support yard and equipment readiness.

Skills

Leadership of multi-site teams

Financial management

Union/Labor relations

DOT/FMCSA/CDL compliance

Strategic operations planning

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Zūm is seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead multi-market P&L, drive on-time performance, and manage operations across the East region in a fast-growing student transportation startup. This role demands hands-on leadership, SOP development, and cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Legal, Finance, HR, and Technology.

You will guide general managers and field managers, shape the operating rhythm, and ensure safety and compliance while scaling districts, yards, and services to meet