Network Planning Manager

Salary

£35,000-£40,000

Location: Canterbury Bus Station with travel across the company’s operating area

Stagecoach South East is a leading, innovative and trusted provider of transport solutions, here for our communities, grounded on commercial sustainability and with a new 5 year plan which has a clear focus on putting people at the heart of all that we do – be that colleagues, customers or the wider community.  We operate almost 400 buses across south and east Kent and East Sussex and are on course to cover around 17 million miles to provide some 37 million passenger journeys this year.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Network Planning Manager to join our small but dynamic and hardworking team. This 1 year fixed contract is ideally suited to a friendly person, with a background in bus scheduling, who cares about the communities they serve and is excited to have ownership and be creative with network changes from initialisation to implementation.

The successful applicant will work closely with the entire central support team but especially with our 3 other Network Planning Managers and focusing initially on our operations in Ashford, Hastings and Eastbourne. Collaboration with local colleagues is going to be a critical part of this role to ensure that all ideas and opportunities are assessed and acted on so that our bus networks grow in a sustainable manner.

Key Accountabilities:

• Monitoring and reporting on route financial performance and driving profitability improvement at route level;

• Planning improvements to punctuality through use of technology and feedback from face-to-face discussions with frontline staff;

• Identifying local network growth initiatives through analysis and research, presenting business cases and assisting colleagues across the business with their implementation;

• Maximising optimal deployment of both vehicle fleet and staff resources;

• Regular engagement in a structured manner with local teams on route, frequency and traffic disruption matters.

Essential Requirements:

• Strong analytical thinker;

• Pro-active;

• Kind and collaborative – works productively with peers, team and others;

• Positive, can-do attitude; 

• Reacts quickly and positively to changing priorities;

• Proven knowledge of and experience in the public transport industry;

• Structured and organised with the ability to think ahead and plan accordingly;

• Able to build and maintain any required external and internal stakeholder relationships.

Desired Requirements

• Experience of the Optibus platform would be a distinct advantage;

• Knowledge of Ashford, Hastings and Eastbourne area;

• 1+ years experience of bus scheduling.

Benefits:

• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay

• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays

• Cycle to work scheme

• Discount scheme for selected high street brands and supermarkets etc

• Free bus travel for you, 1 companion and 1 child.

If you think you fit the bill for this key role, we’d love to hear from you by attaching a cover letter and CV to your application. Please be aware that this for a 1 year fixed contract.

For an informal chat please contact Katherine Jones, Commercial Director Stagecoach South East. katherine.jones@stagecoachbus.com

If we’ve piqued your interest, click that Apply Now button by Monday 29th June 2026.

Stagecoach workplace culture is one where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences our people bring to the business are celebrated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of background, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation or age. 

Stagecoach is proudly an inclusive employer, striving for a culture where everyone can be themselves and where all the differences people bring are truly appreciated. We welcome applications from all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, religion, beliefs, disability, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, or age.

Location:

Stagecoach South East Head Office The Bus Station, St George's Lane, Canterbury Kent CT1 2SY