Head of Fleet Performance

About the Company

The Go-Ahead Group are the leading transport provider of bus services within the UK dedicated to offering affordable and reliable transport that connects communities to employment, education, and leisure opportunities. We operate bus services in London on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and have a strong presence across the UK, as well as internationally. Our commitment to service excellence helps improve everyday journeys and supports the well-being of the communities we serve.

The Opportunity

The Head of Fleet Performance will be responsible for optimising the performance of Go-Ahead's bus fleet, ensuring continuous improvement in fleet reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This role involves analysing data insights, driving performance improvement initiatives, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to improve fleet operations. As a key leader in the organisation, you will oversee the management of engineering KPIs, develop industry-leading maintenance standards, and guide the development of technology solutions to drive fleet optimisation.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Collaborate with OpCo’s to monitor and troubleshoot bus fleet performance, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and ensuring fleet reliability, engineering performance, and efficiency are optimised.
• Own and manage engineering KPIs, including fleet availability, reliability, maintenance cost & efficiency, resource utilisation, energy consumption, and quality, ensuring consistent high performance.
• Lead the development of leading maintenance standards and collaborate with OpCo’s to ensure they are embedded across the fleet for the delivery of safe and reliable assets.
• Spearhead the development of technologies and systems to improve fleet performance, working closely with OpCo’s to embed efficient working practices across the fleet.
• Work with the Business Services team to manage bus OEM aftermarket engineering commitments, ensuring they contribute positively to fleet performance.
• Oversee bus fleet standardisation and optimisation, managing vehicle specifications, fleet acquisitions, and cascading movements to improve fleet performance
• Coordinate mid-life refurb programmes with external partners and explore opportunities to establish internal capabilities for fleet improvement.
• Deputise for the Head of Engineering when required and provide technical expertise to Go-Ahead Group and OpCo Engineering teams.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Extensive experience in managing bus fleets, driving optimisation initiatives, and delivering improved fleet performance. A background in depot operations is essential.
• Strong understanding of engineering performance, fleet maintenance, and bus industry standards, with a track record of developing and implementing maintenance practices that enhance fleet reliability and safety.
• Excellent ability to analyse data, identify performance issues, and prepare reports that offer actionable recommendations for improvements.
• Exceptional communication skills with a demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders at various levels. Proven self-motivation to drive change and performance improvements across teams.
• Strong IT proficiency, particularly with MS Excel and Word, with the ability to collaborate on the development and integration of systems that drive efficiency.
• Previous experience as a bus company Engineering Director is highly desirable.

At The Go-Ahead Group, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is treated with respect and equality. We believe that a variety of perspectives drives innovation and strengthens our ability to serve the communities we operate in. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or background. At Go-Ahead, we ensure that every employee has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our collective success, in an environment that values differences and promotes fairness.