We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Network Strategy, Compliance & Process to join our Network department on a full-time permanent basis. This is a remote role with some travel required throughout the UK.

Position Summary

The Head of Network Strategy, Compliance & Process leads the strategic planning, governance, and process optimisation efforts across the Bus Network planning function, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and regulatory standards and market readiness—particularly in the context of franchising and evolving public transport models.

Reporting to the Director of Network, they drive integrated planning, performance management, and continuous improvement through effective leadership and cross-functional coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Strategy & Compliance: Develop and execute the network compliance and process strategy to align with corporate objectives and market demands.
• Governance & Reporting: Establish and maintain governance frameworks, SLAs, and compliance protocols while providing clear progress updates to senior leadership.
• Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with operational excellence, engineering, service control, and frontline teams to implement improvement initiatives across the business.
• Use Data to Inform Decisions: Leverage business intelligence and analytics to improve performance monitoring, identify opportunities, and support strategic decision-making.
• Optimise Network Service Changes: Lead the continuous improvement and implementation of the network service change process, ensuring best practice adherence.
• Develop Talent & Culture: Implement skills and competency frameworks, lead coaching, performance management, and succession planning within the Network team.
• Advance Automation & Integration: Collaborate with Data & Analytics teams to improve model functionality through automation and Optibus API integration.
• Support Commercial & Financial Planning: Contribute to forecasting, budgeting, and business case development related to network initiatives.
• Ensure Operational Resilience: Help develop crisis response and contingency plans alongside senior leadership to maintain service continuity during disruptions.

Skills & Experience

• Leadership Experience: Proven success in senior strategic or operational roles within transport or infrastructure organisations.
• Change Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale change programmes and cross-functional initiatives.
• Analytical & Financial Acumen: Strong skills in budgeting, forecasting, commercial evaluation, and data analysis.
• Talent Development: Experience implementing skills frameworks, performance management, and succession planning.
• Team Leadership: Ability to inspire and manage geographically dispersed teams to achieve strategic goals.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building capabilities.
• Industry Knowledge: Understanding of public transport regulations, franchising, and market dynamics.
• Continuous Improvement: Expertise in Lean Six Sigma, operational excellence, or similar methodologies.
• Performance Under Pressure: Ability to work in a high-pressured environment consistently delivering on objectives within timeframe.
• Digital Transformation: Experience in new system implementation is a plus.
• Crisis Management: Experience supporting business continuity and crisis planning in transport contexts.

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 offers24hr, 365 days a year mental healthsupport
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platformwith 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 serviceas 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.