Operations Manager, Via Student Transit

RiverPark Ventures; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical plans

401K matching

Job summary

Via is seeking an Operations Manager for the Student Transit team to ensure reliable, safe, and accessible transportation for students. This on-site role requires quick, data-driven decision making and hands-on leadership with drivers, school partners, and internal teams.

You will be based in the Sacramento, San Jose, or Santa Rosa area, working 4–5 days per week on-site, and you’ll drive continuous improvements to service quality and rider experience.

Qualifications

• Operational experience in people management, logistics, or process improvement.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong communication and relationship-building.
• Hands-on, field-based approach with proactive problem solving.
• Ability to balance tactical decisions with long-term operational planning.
• Commitment to student transportation and its impact on education.
• Willingness to be onsite 4–5 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Run daily onsite operations to provide safe, reliable student transportation.
• Make real-time decisions on driver supply, compliance, and student needs.
• Guide drivers and build strong working relationships with partners.
• Turn feedback into tangible operational improvements.
• Use data to diagnose issues and implement efficiency improvements.
• Serve as the operational bridge between schools, drivers, and Via teams.

Job description

Via is on a mission to create public transportation systems that provide greater access to jobs, healthcare, and education. Our platform serves as the technology backbone for modern transit networks, transforming antiquated and siloed public transportation systems into smart, data-driven, and efficient digital networks. With hundreds of agency partners around the world, Via is recognized as the leading transportation technology and service provider globally.

As a Operations Manager on Via’s Student Transit team, you are the force that keeps critical student transportation services running reliably for the communities that depend on them. This is a high-ownership, boots-on-the-ground role where you’ll lead daily operations, tackle real-time challenges, and continuously elevate the student, district, and driver experience in one of Via’s fastest-growing and most impactful business lines.

**This is a fully in-person position with the expectation that you will be onsite 4-5 days per week.**

What You’ll Do:

• Run the daily onsite operations of our service. You’ll make sure our operations run smoothly to provide our riders with safe, reliable, and accessible transportation.
• Make informed, real-time decisions about driver supply, compliance, student needs, and unexpected issues - stepping in quickly to ensure continuously excellent and dependable service.
• Guide and support drivers - building strong relationships, addressing concerns, and ensuring they feel equipped to deliver great service to students and families.
• Turn student and district feedback into tangible improvements, spotting patterns and collaborating with internal teams to make thoughtful and actionable operational improvements.
• Use data and technology to understand service performance, diagnose problems, and implement solutions that enhance efficiency and rider experience.
• Act as a key operational bridge between school partners, drivers, and Via central teams to help deliver high-quality service and support growth across your market

Who You Are:

• Operationally experienced, with a background in people management, logistics, customer service, or process-oriented work.
• Relationship oriented, earning trust from drivers, school partners/districts, and teammates, through clear communication and follow-through.
• Hands‑on and proactive, preferring to be in the field, learning the service firsthand, and solving problems where they happen.
• Tactical and strategic, able to problem-solve issues as they come up but also think long term about solutions to mitigate these occurrences.
• Mission driven, an individual who understands the value of student transportation in shaping people’s education and their life trajectory
• Based in the Sacramento, San Jose, or Santa Rosa area, ready to be onsite 4–5 days a week.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Final salary will be determined by the candidate’s experience, knowledge, and skills. Salary reflected does not include equity or variable pay, where applicable.
• Salary Range: $65,000 - 75,000 / year.
• We are proud to offer a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including free medical plans and 401K matching.

There has never been a more exciting time to be on the cutting edge of public mobility. Ready to join the ride?

Via is an equal opportunity employer.