Operations Director

RiseMe; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Generous PTO & holidays

3% 401(k) employer match

CTAA certification bonus possibility

Job summary

OATS Transit in Columbia, MO seeks an Operations Director to lead statewide transit operations from a home-office in Columbia. You will oversee fleet management, safety programs, budgeting, and regional leadership across six regions to ensure safe, reliable service for thousands of community members.

With 5–7 years in transit operations and a bachelor’s degree, you will drive safety, efficiency, and strategic planning while coordinating with vendors and executive leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive leadership in transit operations or large-scale fleet management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Public Administration, or related field.
• Experience in non-profit or public transit settings preferred; strong regulatory knowledge.
• Proven ability to manage a decentralized workforce and drive process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fleet management, asset lifecycle, and maintenance across a large decentralized transit fleet.
• Lead vendor relationships with maintenance vendors and fuel suppliers nationwide.
• Assist in budget forecasting for vehicle replacements and technology upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with FTA, DOT, and state regulations; develop safety programs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

Transit software

AVL/GPS tracking

Data analytics tools

Job description

Job Details:

Job Location: Home Office - Columbia, MO, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: $80000.00Salary/year, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Office, Qualifications: OATS Transit is seeking a strategic, results-driven Operations Director to lead, optimize, and scale our statewide transit network. Serving a critical mission across an 87-county service area in Missouri, with an office in Columbia, MO, this role directly oversees fleet management, safety compliance, and comprehensive operational support. As a key member of our executive leadership team, you will ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation to thousands of community members. If you are a transit professional with a passion for public service and community impact, we want you on our team.

Key Responsibilities

• Fleet Management & Maintenance Asset Lifecycle: Oversee the procurement, deployment, maintenance, and disposal of a large, decentralized transit fleet.
• Vendor Operations: Manage relationships with maintenance vendors and fuel suppliers across the 87-county footprint to ensure minimal vehicle downtime.
• Capital Planning: Assist in budget forecasting for vehicle replacements and technology upgrades.
• Safety, Risk & Compliance Regulatory Oversight: Ensure 100% compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and state regulations.
• Safety Programs: Develop, implement, and enforce robust safety protocols, driver training programs, and accident prevention strategies.
• Incident Response: Lead investigations into operational incidents and oversee the resolution of risk management claims.
• Operational Support & Leadership Regional Logistics: Provide strategic direction to 6 Regional Directors and regional staff to optimize scheduling, routing, and daily performance.
• Technology Integration: Champion the use of transit software, AVL/GPS tracking, and data analytics to improve operational efficiency.
• Budget Accountability: Manage the operations budget, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to control costs while maintaining high service standards.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in transit operations, logistics, or large-scale fleet management.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Public Administration, or a related field (equivalent experience considered).
• Sector Knowledge: Prior experience in non-profit, public transit, or rural transit systems is highly preferred.
• Compliance Expertise: Deep familiarity with DOT and FTA regulations, transit asset management (TAM), and transit safety management systems (SMS).
• Skills: Exceptional leadership, analytical problem-solving, and communication skills. Ability to manage a highly decentralized workforce across a vast geographic area.

Salary

Beginning salary is $80,000 but is based on experience and knowledge.

Benefits & Compensation

• Health Insurance after the 90th day (plus excellent rates for spouse & family coverage)
• Dental Insurance- Employee premium as low as $5/month.
• Vision Insurance - Employee premium as low as $8/month.
• Life Insurance- company paid life.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Retirement plan with 3% Employer Match plus a top-hat executive retirement plan.
• Employee Assistant Program Opportunities for professional development and continuing education including an annual bonus for acquiring and maintaining the CTAA-sponsored Certified Community Transit Manager (CCTM) certification/