The First Bus Network CoE is responsible for bus service performance and producing the day-to-day operating plan for our fleet across the UK. Data and route performance analysis is key in managing our service profitability and reliability.

Our core services include designing bus routes and timetables, creating vehicle and driver duties to ensure operational efficiency and complying with regulatory requirements. Using advanced planning systems, the team also prepare contract and tender bids for First, all with the goal of supporting reliable and customer-focused delivery.

Position Summary

The Network Process Excellence and Compliance Manager is responsible for driving the seamless execution of network and scheduling operations by acting as the strategic delivery partner to the Heads of Network, ensuring planning processes, governance, and performance tracking are consistently high-quality and well-coordinated.

Leads the integration of demand planning, service change management, and continuous improvement initiatives to enable efficient, accountable, and joined-up delivery across teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Process Improvements: Analyse network performance data, identify inefficiencies, and implement structured process improvements across planning and scheduling.
• Own Service Change Governance: Manage the national service change calendar and checkpoints, ensuring alignment across teams and timely delivery.
• Lead Cross-Functional Projects: Work with operations, engineering, service control, and others to align and deliver joint improvement initiatives.
• Maintain Tools and Templates: Enhance and update process models, guidance materials, and reporting tools based on team feedback and outcomes.
• Enable Collaboration and Learning: Facilitate working groups, training sessions, and key leadership meetings to drive continuous improvement and compliance.
• Support Risk and Compliance Oversight: Monitor process adherence, mitigate risks, and ensure all initiatives align with regulatory and operational standards.
• Partner with Data Teams: Work closely with D&A to resolve mapping issues, integrate data, and deliver actionable insights.
• Support Strategic Delivery: Act as a key enabler for the Head of Network Strategy, Compliance & Process in delivering strategic initiatives.

Skills & Experience

• Project and Operational Leadership: Proven experience managing cross-functional projects, ideally in operations, scheduling, or transport.
• Process Improvement and Methodology: Strong skills in process mapping, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma, etc. desirable).
• Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation: Excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills across all levels.
• Data Literacy and Analytical Skills: Data-driven mindset with advanced Excel skills and comfort working with analytics teams.
• Compliance and Governance: Experience in compliance tracking and governance processes.
• Industry Knowledge: Background in transport, service operations, or customer experience optimisation is desirable.
• Performance Under Pressure: Ability to work in a high-pressured environment consistently delivering on objectives within timeframe
• Educational Background: Degree in a relevant field (e.g. analytics, engineering, transport, economics) or equivalent experience is highly desirable.

Rewards & Benefits

• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Flexible working

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.

Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.