Operations Director

Paycom; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance after 90 days

Dental Insurance - Employee premium as

Vision Insurance - Employee premium

Life Insurance - company paid

Generous PTO and holidays

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee Assistance Program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

OATS Transit, serving Missouri with an office in Columbia, is seeking an Operations Director to lead our statewide transit network and drive safe, reliable service for thousands of residents. You will oversee fleet management, safety programs, and the six Regional Directors to optimize performance and cost control.

As a member of the executive team, you will ensure regulatory compliance with DOT/FTA, manage vendor relationships, and champion AVL/GPS and data analytics to enhance operations

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in transit operations or large-scale logistics.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Public Administration, or related field.
• Familiarity with DOT/FTA regulations and TAM and SMS concepts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fleet management, maintenance, and asset lifecycle across a statewide network.
• Lead safety programs, incident investigations, and risk management.
• Direct regional directors and optimize scheduling, routing, and performance.
• Manage budget and KPI tracking to balance service quality and costs.
• Drive technology adoption (AVL/GPS, data analytics) to improve operations.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

Transit software

AVL/GPS tracking

Data analytics

Job description

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 ResponsibilitiesFleet Management & MaintenanceAsset 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 & ComplianceRegulatory 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 & LeadershipRegional 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.QualificationsExperience: 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.Benefits & CompensationHealth 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 ProgramOpportunities for professional development and continuing education including an annual bonus for acquiring and maintaining the CTAA-sponsored Certified Community Transit Manager (CCTM) certification/