Join Our Leadership Team as an Area General Manager

Location: Merton London, Head Office.

Lead Operations at the Heart of London’s Transport Network

Go-Ahead London is the capital’s largest bus operator and a key delivery partner to Transport for London. Every day our teams operate a significant portion of London’s iconic red bus network, moving millions of passengers safely and reliably across the city.

Operating at this scale demands exceptional leadership. With a workforce of around 8,000 colleagues and a complex, highly regulated operating environment, we are seeking an outstanding operational leader to join our senior leadership team as an Area General Manager (AGM).

This is a pivotal leadership position with responsibility for multiple bus garages and several hundred employees across London. Working directly with the Operations Director and alongside the wider executive leadership team, you will play a key role in delivering operational performance, strengthening leadership capability, and driving continuous improvement across the business.

The Role

As an Area General Manager you will hold significant operational and leadership responsibility across multiple locations, leading a group of General Managers and their teams to deliver safe, reliable and efficient services.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Operational Leadership
Provide clear leadership across multiple garages, ensuring operational performance, safety, compliance and customer service standards are consistently achieved.

Senior Leadership & People Development
Lead, coach and support General Managers to build strong leadership capability across the organisation, creating high-performing teams and a culture of accountability.

Commercial & Contractual Performance
Oversee delivery of Transport for London contracts, ensuring strong financial performance, operational efficiency and effective resource management within a demanding commercial environment.

Governance, Compliance & Safety
Maintain the highest standards of regulatory compliance, operational safety and professional conduct across all locations.

Executive Collaboration
Work closely with the Operations Director and other senior leaders to shape business plans, support strategic initiatives and contribute to the long-term development of the organisation.

Managing Complexity & Challenge
Lead through operational challenges in a fast-moving 24/7 environment, balancing performance, people management and service delivery at scale.

About You

We are looking for a resilient and credible senior leader who is comfortable operating at pace within a complex, highly accountable operational business.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in a large operational or service-led organisation
• Proven responsibility for multi-site operations and large teams
• A strong track record of leading through operational challenge and driving performance improvement
• Excellent leadership and people development capability, with experience coaching senior managers
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing budgets, operational performance and contracts
• The ability to operate confidently within a senior leadership environment, working closely with Directors and key stakeholders

Experience in transport, logistics, infrastructure, engineering or other complex operational sectors would be advantageous.

Why Join Go-Ahead London?

This is an opportunity to take on one of the most senior operational leadership roles within London’s bus network.

You will play a key role in shaping operational strategy, leading major teams and delivering services that millions of Londoners rely on every day.

In return we offer:

• A competitive senior leadership package
• A highly influential role within London’s largest bus operator
• The opportunity to work alongside an experienced and supportive executive team
• A collaborative culture focused on safety, performance and continuous improvement

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Go-Ahead London is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from women and from people of all backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups.

We are an equal opportunities employer and select candidates based on merit and ability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.