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Area Director - North EastArriva Group · Stockton on Tees Bus Depot
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Arriva Group

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Area Director - North East

🗓️ Posted 2026-08-07 Stockton on Tees Bus Depot Hybrid Manufacturing Transport Logistics
💰 Salary Not shared 📊 Market 5,416 GBP–8,333 GBP/mo

About the Company

Area Director Arriva North East Shape the Future of Public Transport Arriva is embarking on one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in UK public transport. Backed by significant investment, a strengthened executive leadership team and a clear ambition to become Britain's leading bus operator, we're creating a business that is safer, smarter, more sustainable and relentlessly focused on our customers and the communities we serve. We're now seeking an exceptional Area Director to lead our North East operating company. This is one of the most senior operational leadership positions within Arriva UK Bus and offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of public transport while leading one of the UK's largest and most strategically important regional bus businesses. This recruitment campaign is being conducted on a strictly confidential basis .

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director - North, you'll have complete responsibility for the operational, commercial and financial performance of Arriva North East. You'll lead a business generating approximately 85 million in annual revenue, operating a fleet of 366 buses and employing around 1,000 colleagues across our depots in Ashington, Blyth, Darlington, Durham, Redcar and Stockton, together with our Whitby outstation. As the substantive leader of the North East business, you'll operate with genuine autonomy, supported by specialist UK Bus functions while retaining full accountability for local performance, customer experience and commercial success. In addition to leading the business, you'll serve as the Statutory Director for Arriva's two North East legal entities and sit on the boards of the Group's regional ticketing companies, ensuring robust governance, compliance and strategic oversight. What You'll Deliver You'll be accountable for every aspect of business performance, including: Strategic & Commercial Leadership Full P&L ownership, driving sustainable financial performance and long-term growth. Delivering the North East business strategy aligned with Arriva UK Bus's wider ambitions. Leading investment decisions, governance and risk management across the operating company. Identifying opportunities to improve commercial performance, revenue growth and operational efficiency. Operational Excellence Delivering safe, reliable and punct

Requirements

  • ● Significant senior leadership experience with full P&L accountability within a large, multi-site operation.
  • ● Strong knowledge of the bus industry, public transport or similarly regulated operational environments.
  • ● A proven track record of leading large, unionised workforces through change and transformation.
  • ● Exceptional commercial and financial acumen.
  • ● Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging at board, government and partner level.
  • ● A passion for delivering operational excellence and exceptional customer outcomes.
  • ● The ability to balance strategic thinking with visible, hands-on leadership. Why Arriva
  • ● This is an opportunity to lead at one of the UK's largest public transport operators during a defining period of change.
  • ● You'll join a business offering:
  • ● Executive-level influence within a national leadership team.
  • ● Significant operational autonomy supported by specialist central expertise.
  • ● Industry-leading investment in fleet electrification and sustainability.
  • ● A collaborative culture focused on innovation, performance and continuous improvement. If you're an inspiring leader with the ambition to transform public transport and deliver lasting impact across the North East, we'd love to hear from you.
  • ● This role is based within Arriva North East, with flexibility to be located at one of our regional depots. Regular travel across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley will be required, together with occasional travel across the wider Arriva UK Bus network.
  • ● Ready to Lead the Future
  • ● If you're looking for a career-defining executive opportunity with one of Europe's leading public transport operators, apply today and help shape the future of Arriva North East.