"Manager, Transportation Operations"

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community- eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Salary Range
$65,000.00 - $101,000.00

Overview
Shape the future of campus mobility at Yale.

Joining Yale means becoming part of a world-class institution dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and community. Yale’s Transportation Department - encompassing Transit Operations and Fleet
Management - keeps the University connected across three campuses and key partners such as Yale New Haven Hospital and the VA Hospital. The department operates year-round, seven days a week, serving over 800,000 passengers annually through a network of shuttle lines, accessible routes, and charter services for major events. The accessible transit program supports more than 300 community members with disabilities, ensuring equitable access for all.

Fleet Management oversees nearly 500 university-owned vehicles, maintaining excellence in compliance, maintenance, GPS tracking, fuel management, procurement, emissions testing, and registration.

The Transportation Operations Manager provides strategic and hands-on leadership for Yale’s shuttle and fleet programs. This role ensures seamless, safe, and efficient transportation services while driving continual improvement in compliance, performance, and customer experience. The ideal candidate will bring proven expertise in both transit operations and fleet management, preferably within a university or large institutional setting. Transportation Operations Manager leads data-driven initiatives to increase service reliability, reduce costs, and advance Yale’s sustainability and accessibility goals-supporting the University’s mission and its community.

The Transportation Operations Manager :
1. Oversees shuttle routing, schedules, passenger volumes, service metrics, and customer communications.
2. Coordinates vendor partnerships (TransDev, Downtowner, Holman Maintenance, Wex CD, Hocon, and others) to ensure contract compliance and service quality.
3. Supports fleet operations including maintenance tracking, DOT and emissions compliance, and vehicle registration using systems such as Collective Data.
4. Develops and implements strategies to enhance service efficiency, responds proactively to operational issues, and ensures uninterrupted service delivery.
5. Collaborates with University departments and procurement and sustainability teams to align operations with safety, budget, and environmental objectives.
6. Plans, directs, and evaluates operational programs aligned with University goals.
7. Develops and executes implementation plans for transportation initiatives and technological upgrades.
8. Partners with analysts, vendors, and internal departments to streamline processes and champion best practices.
9. Identifies risks, establishes performance metrics, and manages communications for major service projects.
10. Prepares budgets, timelines, and reports reflecting outcomes and continuous improvement.
11. Serves as the primary liaison for key transportation contracts and resolves complex operational challenges.

Required Education and Experience
1. Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
2. Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in transit operations and fleet management, including demonstrated leadership in a university or large institutional environment.
3. Experience managing shuttle systems and accessible transit programs is highly preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities
1. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, with the ability to learn new data and scheduling systems.
2. Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
3. Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and timely follow-through on issues.
4. Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage complex logistics and multiple priorities.
5. Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and compliance in documentation and operations.

Principal Responsibilities
1. In support of the overall mission, plans, directs, and oversees programmatic activities. Assumes primary accountability for disseminating and publishing all program information to create public awareness and support of the program. 
2. Works closely with leadership, internal and external colleagues, and community residents to further develop and implement strategic plans. 
3. Oversees the development of detailed plans and successful implementation of projects in concert with stakeholders.
4. Works closely with business analysts, technical professionals, end users, and project stakeholders during the requirements, solutions design, and implementation phases to develop detailed project plans for implementation. 
5. Oversees and trains all student employees and summer program staff.
6. Develops the administrative infrastructure of the program that supports the strategic direction of the program from leadership. Oversees human resource and administrative functions of the program.
8. Investigates, identifies, implements, and oversees the maintenance of systems to gather, track and report information to support the initiatives of the program. Tracks all program activities and regularly informs leadership of progress on each initiative. Recommends structural or programmatic adjustments, changes or additions based on full knowledge of missions, goals and objectives.
9. Works on risk assessment, communication planning, and program entry criteria.
 10. Create detailed project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation, to ensure the successful completion of the project.
11. Manages client expectations and provides issue/risk identification and escalation pathways.
12. Analyzes user needs and proposes new training programs or systems.
13. Designs, develops, and executes communication systems to ensure effective exchange of information between project stakeholders, senior management, and staff.

Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in a related field and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.