• Regional Director of Operations - Northeast Region

    Sunrise Transportation (Wilton, CT)


    Position Overview: The Regional Director of Operations –Northeast Region is a strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing multiple school bus transportation branches within Connecticut. This role ensures alignment with company standards in safety, service, compliance, and efficiency. The Regional Director will lead and support General Managers at each location, driving performance through coaching, operational consistency, and accountability. This individual will report directly to the COO and serve as a key regional representative of Sunrise Transportation leadership.

    Key Responsibilities:

    Operational Oversight

     

    + Provide strategic and hands-on leadership to all Connecticut-based school transportation branches.

    + Ensure operational alignment across locations, enforcing company policies, SOPs, and safety protocols.

    + Review and optimize routing, staffing, and scheduling models to support student needs and maximize efficiency.

    + Support site readiness for new school year launches and special projects.

     

    Leadership & Team Development

     

    + Supervise and mentor General Managers and their leadership teams.

    + Build a strong performance culture focused on safety, compliance, service, and employee development.

    + Partner with HR to support recruiting, retention, and staff training strategies across branches.

    + Facilitate regular regional leadership meetings to ensure consistency and alignment.

     

    Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

     

    + Ensure compliance with all DOT, FMCSA, ADA, and state-specific regulations.

    + Champion a culture of safety through regular audits, training, and performance monitoring.

    + Collaborate with safety and compliance teams to resolve incidents and drive corrective action.

     

    Financial & Business Performance

     

    + Manage regional budgets, monitor branch-level KPIs, and drive accountability for financial targets.

    + Identify opportunities for cost savings, contract expansion, and operational efficiencies.

    + Partner with corporate finance and procurement teams to ensure sound fiscal management.

    + Identify and participate in M&A activities.

    + Drive profitable growth throughout the region.

     

    Stakeholder Engagement

     

    + Serve as a regional point of contact for key school district clients, community stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.

    + Build and maintain strong relationships with district leaders and transportation administrators.

    + Support bid development, renewals, and contract compliance.

    Qualifications:

    Education:

    + Bachelor's degree in Business, Transportation, Operations Management, or a related field (preferred).

    Experience:

    + Minimum of 7–10 years of leadership experience in school transportation, logistics, or operations management.

    + Multi-site supervisory experience strongly preferred.

    + Special education or special needs transportation knowledge is a plus.

    Technical Proficiency:

    + Strong knowledge of FMCSA, DOT, and state-specific regulations.

    + Experience with routing software, transportation systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.

    Skills:

    + Strategic thinking with strong execution and accountability.

    + Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building abilities.

    + Ability to analyze complex data and drive performance through KPIs.

     

    Why Join Sunrise Transportation?

     

    + Lead meaningful operations that directly impact the lives of students and communities.

    + Join a growing, mission-driven company focused on safety and service excellence.

    + Competitive salary, company vehicle, full benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement.