ABOUT THE ROLEZum provides safe, reliable, technology-enabled student transportation for school districts. We are growing quickly: new districts, new yards, and new markets launch while existing ones are still being built out. The VP of Operations runs a multi-market in the east region P&L, leads general managers and their teams, and owns the operating rhythm that keeps buses running safely and on time. This is a hands-on, start-up-mode role for someone who can build, manage the process, and still step into a yard and roll up their sleeves when needed.
OPERATING RHYTHM- Daily: Route coverage, dispatch, on-time performance, driver safety messages, same-day escalations
- Weekly: KPI release and action plans, labor review, customer launch calls, payroll dashboard review, AR collections
- Monthly: Safety themes, union dues and benefits compliance, forecast-to-actual review, liquidated damages reconciliation
- Seasonal: Back-to-school readiness, budget planning, renewals, 45-day scaling forecast
- As needed: Involvement in bargaining, grievances, discipline, incident investigations, service-disruption planning
START-UP MODE- Launch new districts and yards while running existing ones, moving people and fleet across markets as needed
- Write and standardize SOPs, RACIs, and protocols where none exist
- Be decisive, often with incomplete information
- Step in directly when a manager leaves or a launch stalls
NEW CONTRACT IMPLEMENTATIONOwn the handoff from Sales through Day One and stabilization:
- Handoff: Review contracts, pricing, and commitments with Sales, Legal, and Finance
- Plan: Name an owner and build backward from first day of service
- Staffing and training: Size teams including spares; lead recruiting, CDL training, and background checks
- Labor and compliance: Determine CBA coverage and set up payroll and benefits
- Customer readiness: Launch meetings, dry runs, and written scope changes
- Stabilize: Provide go-live support, move to steady-state KPIs, and hold a post-launch review
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Regional operations: Own on-time performance, coverage, and service quality
- Financials: Own the regional P&L, budget, forecast accuracy, and expense control
- Renewals and collections: Lead renewals and AR, including disputed invoices and liquidated damages
- Escalations: Be the escalation point for district and union contract disputes, working with Legal and HR
- HQ liaison: Connect field operations with Sales, Customer Success, Finance, HR, Legal, Safety, and Technology
- People leadership: Lead and coach GMs and field managers, handle performance issues, and run promotion panels
- Safety and compliance: Lead incident reviews, make documented discipline decisions, and oversee training and records
- Labor relations: Support bargaining, grievances, arbitration, and CBA implementation
- Customer relationships: Serve as senior operational contact for district leaders
- Driver pipeline: Oversee hiring, spare ratios, CDL training, retention, and recognition
- Fleet and technology: Evaluate routing vendors and support yard and equipment readiness
REQUIREMENTS- 10+ years in operations, including 5+ leading multi-site or multi-region teams in student transportation, logistics, or similar safety-critical field operations
- Experience in high-growth or turnaround settings, launching sites and building process from scratch
- Strong financial skills: budgeting, forecasting, expense control, and AR management
- Direct union experience (CBA administration, grievances, discipline, bargaining) and skill in renewals and escalations with districts and unions
- Command of DOT/FMCSA, CDL, and state pupil-transportation requirements
- Public-sector contract experience, including SLAs and liquidated damages
- Fluency with operational and workforce data, turned into weekly action
- Strong multitasking and proactive planning; exceptional written and verbal communication
- Willingness to travel
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
$206,000 - $260,000 a year
