General Manager - Bus and Coach

Job Title: General Manager

Location: Newbury

Salary: £60k - £65k Per annum

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

An opportunity has arisen for someone to lead our team at Newbury & District at a very exciting time in our development.

About Us:

Newbury & District is a bus and coach operator providing public transport services in the West Berkshire and surrounding areas.

We are committed to providing exceptional transport services, with a focus on customer satisfaction, sustainability, and innovation. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality services that meet the evolving needs of our passengers. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a strategic and visionary General Manager to join our leadership team and drive the future success of the business.

Role Overview:

The General Manager will play a pivotal role in leading and shaping the future of our bus and coach operations. This position will not only oversee the operational management of the business but also have a significant focus on business development, revenue growth, and identifying new market opportunities. Reporting to the Operations Director, you will be responsible for driving both strategic and operational excellence across the company, ensuring we continue to lead the market while delivering outstanding service to our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the company's strategic plan in alignment with business goals, ensuring both short-term and long-term objectives are met.
• Business Development: Identify and pursue new growth opportunities, including expansion into new markets, partnership development, and diversification of services. Lead initiatives to enhance the company's competitive position and drive revenue growth.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee day-to-day operations across all services, ensuring that routes, scheduling, fleet management, and customer service are delivered efficiently and effectively.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead a high-performing team, providing mentorship, guidance, and support to senior managers and operational staff. Foster a positive, collaborative work culture focused on excellence and continuous improvement.
• Financial Management: Take ownership of P&L responsibilities, ensuring effective budget management, cost control, and profitability. Work closely with finance teams to monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, local authorities, suppliers, and industry bodies. Represent the company at industry events and public forums.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure compliance with all relevant transport regulations, safety standards, and environmental policies. Maintain the highest levels of safety for staff, customers, and passengers.

Key Requirements:

• Proven Leadership: Experience in a relevant leadership role within the transport or logistics sector, ideally with a focus on bus or coach operations. A track record of leading teams and driving business success at a strategic level.
• Business Development Expertise: Demonstrated experience in identifying and developing business growth opportunities. Ability to innovate, expand market reach, and drive revenue through new business initiatives.
• Operational Acumen: Strong understanding of transport operations, including fleet management, scheduling, and customer service. A focus on efficiency, cost control, and service quality.
• Financial Savvy: Experience managing budgets, financial performance, and making data-driven decisions to improve profitability.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and execute long-term business strategies that align with company goals and market trends.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage, influence, and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Strong critical thinking and decision-making abilities, with the capability to handle complex situations and make sound, timely decisions.

This role is ideal for an ambitious operations professional looking to exercise their knowledge and skills within the bus and coach industry in an innovative environment where an eye for detail and a desire to deliver will lead to a unique and rewarding challenge and the opportunity to gain valuable experience in one of the UK's leading operators.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and responsibility.

If you're an ambitious and experienced leader with a passion for the transport industry and a drive for business development, we would love to hear from you!

How to Apply:

If you believe that you meet - or indeed exceed - these criteria and would like to apply please submit your CV and covering letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are the right fit for this role.

Closing date for applications is Friday 3 July 2026

Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for this role.

Candidates with experience of: General Manager; Assistant General Manager; Deputy General Manager; Operations Manager; Assistant Operations Manager; Logistic Operations General Manager; Transport Operations Manager, Bus Operations Manager, Coach Operations Manager, Depot Manager, may also be considered for this role.