General Manager Bench - Illinois

Durham School Services; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Holiday pay

PTO accrual

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Durham School Services is seeking a General Manager Bench to participate in a structured development program aimed at building future General Managers. This role offers hands-on exposure to all aspects of Customer Service Center operations, including safety, maintenance, and customer service.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree or comparable experience, demonstrated leadership potential, and strong interest in operations management. The position offers a salary range of $90,000 - $100,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Willingness to travel and relocate within the region as business needs require.
• Basic knowledge of operations management principles and customer service practices.

Responsibilities

• Engage in a structured development experience focusing on building leadership capability.
• Support CSC leadership in executing daily operations and meeting service expectations.
• Participate in budget discussions and develop an understanding of P&L management.

Skills

Leadership potential

Operations management

Customer service

Effective communication

Problem analysis

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

3+ years of comparable experience

Job description

About the Company

Summit School Services companies share a strong commitment to provide the highest level of transportation safety, quality transportation, outstanding customer service and positive employee relations. Our corporate headquarters, located in Warrenville, Illinois, houses the administrative and corporate support functions for the organization. Our 250+ local customer service centers (CSCs) are supported by regional operations teams located throughout North America.

About the Role

The General Manager Bench (Development Program) role is a structured leadership development position designed to build a pipeline of future General Managers. This role provides hands‑on exposure to all aspects of Customer Service Center (CSC) operations, including safety, maintenance, routing, dispatch, employee relations, customer service, and financial performance. Participants will rotate through various operational environments and work closely with CSC and Regional leadership to develop the skills and business acumen required to lead a CSC. This position is developmental in nature and does not include full responsibility for a CSC. Advancement to the General Manager role is contingent upon demonstrated readiness, leadership capability, and business need.

Responsibilities

• Engages in a structured, on‑the‑job development experience focused on building the leadership capability and operational readiness required for future General Manager responsibilities
• Collaborates with CSC and Regional leadership to understand overall business goals and operational strategies
• Supports CSC leadership in executing daily operations and meeting service delivery expectations
• Assists in reviewing operational performance metrics, including safety, service quality, and operational efficiency
• Participates in budget discussions and develops a foundational understanding of P&L management
• Supports CSC leadership in identifying and addressing operational challenges in alignment with company standard operating procedures and policies
• Observes and participates in employee relations activities, including coaching, performance management, and investigations under leadership guidance
• Assists in maintaining customer relationships and participates in meetings with school district administrators
• Demonstrates company values, strategies, and objectives while encouraging feedback and input
• Supports the promotion of a strong safety culture and reinforces safe operating practices
• Completes assigned projects, business reviews, and presentations to CSC and Regional leadership
• Travels to multiple CSC locations to gain exposure to varied operational environments
• Must be willing to relocate within the Chicagoland market based on business needs.

The salary range is $90,000 - $100,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or related field, or 3+ years of progressive, comparable experience
• Demonstrated leadership potential through professional, academic, or extracurricular experience
• Ability to work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required in operations
• Willingness to travel and relocate within the region as business needs require
• Strong interest in operations management, leadership development, and customer service
• Basic knowledge of operations management principles and customer service practices
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, customers, and leadership
• Ability to analyze problems and support decision-making processes
• Strong planning, organizing, and prioritization skills
• Ability to create and edit written reports and business communications
• Time management and attention to detail
• Professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment
• Ability to adapt to a fast‑paced operational environment

Benefits

We offer medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance coverage, holiday pay, and PTO accrual. Additionally, employees are able to enroll in a retirement savings plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Summit School Services has a zero‑tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its policies and values, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. Summit School Services is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children and passengers.

At Summit School Services our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Summit School Services LLC’s independent subsidiaries and affiliates are an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer.

The pay rate range, along with most all of the other terms and conditions of employment, vary between different sites, geographical markets, customer/ contractual terms and positions.