Candidates with experience in multi-market student transportation operations with a focus on safety and union relations will find this hands-on, start-up-mode role in the East region of the USA rewarding.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Zūm via Lever
About Zūm:
Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zūm CMX™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 6,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Zum provides safe, reliable, technology-enabled student transportation for school districts. We are growing quickly: new districts, new yards, and new markets launch while existing ones are still being built out. The VP of Operations runs a multi-market in the east region P&L, leads general managers and their teams, and owns the operating rhythm that keeps buses running safely and on time. This is a hands-on, start-up-mode role for someone who can build, manage the process, and still step into a yard and roll up their sleeves when needed.
OPERATING RHYTHM
Daily: Route coverage, dispatch, on-time performance, driver safety messages, same-day escalations
Weekly: KPI release and action plans, labor review, customer launch calls, payroll dashboard review, AR collections
Monthly: Safety themes, union dues and benefits compliance, forecast-to-actual review, liquidated damages reconciliation
Seasonal: Back-to-school readiness, budget planning, renewals, 45-day scaling forecast
As needed: Involvement in bargaining, grievances, discipline, incident investigations, service-disruption planning
START-UP MODE
Launch new districts and yards while running existing ones, moving people and fleet across markets as needed
Write and standardize SOPs, RACIs, and protocols where none exist
Be decisive, often with incomplete information
Step in directly when a manager leaves or a launch stalls
NEW CONTRACT IMPLEMENTATION
Own the handoff from Sales through Day One and stabilization:
Handoff: Review contracts, pricing, and commitments with Sales, Legal, and Finance
Plan: Name an owner and build backward from first day of service
Staffing and training: Size teams including spares; lead recruiting, CDL training, and background checks
Labor and compliance: Determine CBA coverage and set up payroll and benefits
Customer readiness: Launch meetings, dry runs, and written scope changes
Stabilize: Provide go-live support, move to steady-state KPIs, and hold a post-launch review
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Regional operations: Own on-time performance, coverage, and service quality
Financials: Own the regional P&L, budget, forecast accuracy, and expense control
Renewals and collections: Lead renewals and AR, including disputed invoices and liquidated damages
Escalations: Be the escalation point for district and union contract disputes, working with Legal and HR
HQ liaison: Connect field operations with Sales, Customer Success, Finance, HR, Legal, Safety, and Technology
People leadership: Lead and coach GMs and field managers, handle performance issues, and run promotion panels
Safety and compliance: Lead incident reviews, make documented discipline decisions, and oversee training and records
Labor relations: Support bargaining, grievances, arbitration, and CBA implementation
Customer relationships: Serve as senior operational contact for district leaders
Driver pipeline: Oversee hiring, spare ratios, CDL training, retention, and recognition
Fleet and technology: Evaluate routing vendors and support yard and equipment readiness
REQUIREMENTS
10+ years in operations, including 5+ leading multi-site or multi-region teams in student transportation, logistics, or similar safety-critical field operations
Experience in high-growth or turnaround settings, launching sites and building process from scratch
Strong financial skills: budgeting, forecasting, expense control, and AR management
Direct union experience (CBA administration, grievances, discipline, bargaining) and skill in renewals and escalations with districts and unions
Command of DOT/FMCSA, CDL, and state pupil-transportation requirements
Public-sector contract experience, including SLAs and liquidated damages
Fluency with operational and workforce data, turned into weekly action
Strong multitasking and proactive planning; exceptional written and verbal communication
Willingness to travel
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Source: Zūm careers (Lever)