Position OverviewThe Driver Development Manager is responsible for the governance, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of driver training, coaching, competency development, and performance management programs across Keolis Canada.
This role combines national program ownership with a strong field presence, delivering classroom, practical, and behind-the-wheel instruction while ensuring consistent training standards across all divisions. The position also acts as a corporate center of expertise, supporting operational leaders, instructors, HR partners, and safety teams in strengthening driver capability, regulatory compliance, customer experience, and workforce retention.
This role can be done out of our offices in Edmonton or Calgary, AB and requires frequent travel.
Strategic Positioning of the RoleThis role serves as a national center of expertise in driver development. It supports three strategic pillars, which is operational safety, customer experience and workforce retention and development. It is not solely a training role; it is a corporate position that harmonizes practices, strengthens operational culture, and supports Canadian divisions in achieving their objectives.
Key ResponsibilitiesNational Driver Development Governance- Maintain and update a standardized national driver development framework.
- Define national standards for training, competencies, instructional methodology, and documentation.
- Ensure alignment with federal, provincial, and municipal transportation regulations.
- Establish qualification, requalification, refresher, remedial, and return-to-driving standards.
- Monitor program performance and recommend improvements.
- Harmonize practices across divisions while respecting local operational realities.
- Support corporate initiatives related to driver development, culture, and operational consistency.
Hands-On Instruction, Coaching & Program Improvement- Deliver classroom, practical, and behind-the-wheel instruction for Class 2/B commercial vehicle operators.
- Conduct road evaluations, competency assessments, and remedial coaching.
- Support onboarding, refresher training, and return-to-driving requirements.
- Review curriculum, lesson plans, onboarding tools, and route-training materials.
- Use collision trends, audits, customer feedback, telematics data, and performance indicators to enhance training content.
- Promote modern learning approaches: blended learning, competency-based training, field coaching, and adult-learning principles.
- Develop advanced modules (defensive driving, customer experience, difficult-situation management, eco-driving, regulatory compliance).
Instructor Leadership (East & West)- Provide functional leadership to Academy Instructors in Eastern Canada.
- Support Western Canada instructors through national governance, coaching, and standardization.
- Build a connected national instructor network that promotes consistency and knowledge sharing.
- Conduct instructor observations, coaching sessions, and train-the-trainer programs.
- Strengthen instructor capability, confidence, and alignment with national standards.
Operational Partnership & Field Support- Work closely with Directors, General Managers, Operations Managers, HR partners, Safety leaders, and Maintenance teams.
- Align training programs with operational realities and contract requirements.
- Support contract launches, transitions, new vehicle introductions, and performance-improvement plans.
- Identify driver-development risks and implement targeted coaching or training solutions.
- Act as a national reference point for all matters related to driver competency and development.
Safety & Driving Performance- Analyze trends related to collisions, incidents, customer complaints, and safety events.
- Recommend corrective or preventive actions.
- Participate in investigations of major or recurring incidents when required.
- Support coaching, remedial programs, and reintegration to driving.
- Develop safety-awareness campaigns and promote expected behaviours.
Qualifications & RequirementsEducation & Certifications- Advanced education in Adult Instruction for Transportation, Safety, Training, Fleet Operations, or a related discipline is required.
- Equivalent industry experience in commercial passenger transportation and driver instruction is required
- Valid Class 2 commercial driver's licence.
- Clean commercial drivers abstract.
- Commercial driver instructor certification, provincial instructor authorization, or train-the-trainer certification with a Senior Status through Government certification. (mandatory).
- Defensive driving instructor (PDIC Senior) certification (asset).
Experience- 7-10 years of experience in public transit, passenger transportation, or similar operational environments.
- Minimum of 5 years in driver training, BTW coaching, and competency assessment and development.
- Experience leading instructors, trainers or coaches in program delivery.
- Experience in multi-site operations and cross-functional influence.
- Experience in program development, project implementation, and continuous improvement.
- Experience supporting regulatory complaints, safety performance, and operational training requirements is preferred.
Knowledge and skills- Strong knowledge of commercial passenger transportation and safety standards.
- Understanding of Canadian and provincial transportation regulations.
- Knowledge of adult-learning principles, coaching, and competency development.
- Familiarity with performance-tracking technologies, telematics, and onboard camera systems (asset).
- The role is required to communicate effectively in both English and French.
- Mobilizing leadership and credibility with field teams.
- Ability to influence without direct authority.
- Strong communication, presentation, and simplification skills.
- Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Coaching-oriented approach focused on talent development and continuous improvement.
- High autonomy, initiative, and rigor in follow-up.
- Strategic mindset and results orientation.
- Ability to work in a dynamic, evolving operational environment.
- Proficient using learning management systems, training records, competency tracking tools, and Microsoft 365 applications.
Working conditions- Requires regular travel to operating divisions across Canada.
- Requires work in classroom, office, yard, depot, terminal, and on-road environments.
- Requires operation and instruction on commercial passenger vehicles.
- May require flexible hours outside normal schedule to support operations, route training, new hire classes, remedial coaching, and instructor support.
