Senior Manager, Bus Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Be part of the team delivering world-class mobility for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

TMS is the global leader in ground transportation management, logistics, mobility and venue solutions, renowned for delivering top-tier services for the world’s most complex events with unwavering confidence and integrity. With over 30 years of industry experience, we proudly reflect on managing transportation for more than 1,450 events and contracts, safely transporting over 120 million passengers. Our prestigious portfolio includes supporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Olympic & Paralympic Games, Formula One, NBA, Kentucky Derby, Coachella, and major corporations like Microsoft and Google. We also support citywide events and trade shows such as NAHB, NAB, SEMA, NACS, and ICSC. Our aim is to be distinguished by the quality of our work, fostering a legacy of trust and superior performance.

As New York/New Jersey prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2026™, TMS is proud to deliver the Host City Bus Operations for Park & Rides (P&R) program, a critical component of the mobility network moving thousands of spectators to and from MetLife Stadium.

Position Title: Senior Manager, Bus Operations

Reports to: Project Lead

Position Summary: 

As Senior Manager, Bus Operations, you will lead the strategic design, planning, and delivery of the Host City (HC) Park & Ride (P&R) Bus Operations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in New York/New Jersey.

You will oversee the implementation of P&R services across all designated clusters (North, South, West, East) and liaise with our Bus Operations Manager at MetLife Stadium to ensure seamless connectivity and performance. The role requires both strategic foresight and operational leadership to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient transport for up to 18,000 spectators per match.

As a key member of the Transport Leadership Team, you will drive readiness, testing, and event-time delivery, ensuring that every journey reflects the world-class standards of FIFA, the Host City, and TMS.

Responsibilities: 

Leadership & Planning

• Lead the overall planning, coordination, and delivery of the HC Bus Operations program across all P&R clusters.
• Develop and implement the Venue Transport Operational Plan (VTOP).
• Oversee the integration of the P&R program and Accessible Transport services for a seamless spectator mobility experience.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to P&R managers and cluster teams.
• Represent TMS in high-level coordination meetings with the HC, FIFA, and external agencies.

Operational Management

• Oversee day-to-day P&R operations across all clusters while coordinating with stadium transport operations.
• Lead P&R Managers and teams to ensure consistent service delivery, punctuality, and safety.
• Oversee integration of P&R operations into the Command, Control, Communication, and Coordination (C4) system.
• Manage implementation and monitoring of the Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) system.
• Act as a key decision-maker within the Host City Transport Operations Center (TROC), ensuring real-time coordination of bus operations, AVL feeds, and communication.
• Work closely with MetLife Stadium LATMP, security teams, and local agencies to ensure service reliability and operations integration.
• Implement and oversee contingency plans to manage disruptions, adverse weather, or route changes.
• Monitor ticketing, ridership, and capacity to optimize performance and efficiency.
• Oversee coordination with bus vendors to ensure vehicle and driver readiness.
• Contribute to demand management to balance operational efficiency with commercial targets.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with NJ Transit, NJDOT, PANYNJ, Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, Traffic Management Authorities and other local transport partners to align operations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Host City Transport, Venue Management, Security, and Emergency Services.
• Prepare and present operational reports, dashboards, and performance summaries for partner review.

Workforce Leadership

• Working alongside HR & Workforce, develop and plan P&R workforce requirements.
• Support the recruitment, training, and deployment of operational staff and drivers.
• Ensure all staff are briefed, uniformed, accredited, and equipped to deliver exceptional customer service and maintain operational safety.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on professionalism and delivery excellence.
• Oversee vendor workforce performance to ensure compliance with TMS and HC standards.

Safety, Compliance & Service Quality

• Ensure all operations meet transport, safety, and event regulations.
• Oversee implementation of accessible (ADA) and inclusive transport services.
• Maintain the highest safety standards across all P&R sites, staging areas, and load zones.
• Monitor risks, drive continuous improvement through operational reviews and debriefs.

Testing, Reporting & Legacy

• Lead and participate in testing exercises to validate Park & Ride readiness in coordination with the Host City Transport team.
• Incorporate lessons learned from each test into operational planning and workforce training programs.
• Oversee collection and analysis of daily operational data, including ridership and cycle times.
• Contribute to the HC After-Action Report.

Technology & Systems Integration

• Manage coordination of operational technologies, including AVL, ticketing platforms, and data analytics dashboards.
• Ensure real-time data sharing with HC systems for situational awareness and reporting.
• Work with technology vendors to validate functionality, troubleshoot live operations, and support system testing during readiness programs.

Professional Conduct

• Represent TMS with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all meetings and communications.
• Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and clear communication within the project team.
• Be flexible in working hours and locations, this role will require extended hours, weekends, and match-day commitments.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of transport operations, multi-modal systems, and large-scale event mobility.
• Proven leadership and people management skills in high-pressure, time-critical environments.
• Strong operational planning and analytical abilities with a focus on service reliability and safety.
• Experience in developing and executing contingency and incident management plans.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and relationship management across multiple agencies and contractors.
• Familiarity with client group protocols, traffic management, and major event transport operations.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance, risk management, and workforce safety standards.
• Lead and attend meetings always representing TMS with the highest standard. Ensure timely response to all communications and maintain all documentation in company files and folders and sharing key documentation as required.
• Flexibility in working hours – no two days are the same. Be willing to work flexible and extended hours throughout the event period.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proficient in English (written and oral).
• Preferably 8-10 years of progressive responsibilities and work-related experience, and any combination of education and training, which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, combined with demonstrated professional growth and achievement.
• Previous involvement in complex event operations, preferably at FIFA World Cup™ or Olympics/Paralympics scale or equivalent.
• Experience of working in International and US major events, preferably within a transport, venue, or logistics planning capacity.
• Strong business acumen and transport language.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 software.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing vendors or contractors.
• Experience with multi-cluster or distributed transport operations.
• Understanding of accessible transport and inclusive service delivery.
• Experience incorporating sustainability practices in transport operations is an advantage.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

The employees’ responsibilities reflect current needs and requirements of the Company as at the date of issuing this position description. However, the services that the employee is required to provide for the Company may change over time as circumstances dictate.

TMS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.