Fleet & Bus Operations Manager

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking an experienced Fleet & Bus Operations Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of all fleet and bus transport operations across the tournament, ensuring a safe, efficient, and world-class transport experience for teams, tournament guests, workforce, broadcasters, and other key stakeholders. Based in the Sydney office and reporting to the Head of Transport, this role will work closely with internal functional areas, host cities, venues, and transport suppliers to develop and deliver integrated transport solutions that support tournament success.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced transport operations professional with a background in major events, tournaments, or large-scale sporting environments. You will oversee fleet and bus service planning, supplier management, transport systems, driver recruitment and training, operational readiness, and on-the-ground delivery across multiple locations nationwide. You will demonstrate strong operational leadership, stakeholder management, and project planning expertise to drive excellence, manage risk, and ensure transport services are delivered seamlessly from planning through to tournament-time operations.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the planning, development, and delivery of all fleet and bus transport operations across Rugby World Cup Australia 2027, ensuring safe, efficient, and world-class transport services for teams, tournament guests, workforce, broadcasters, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop and implement Fleet and Bus Operations Plans, contributing to Venue Transport Operational Plans across all competition and non-competition venues, while establishing policies, procedures, and operational standards to support successful tournament delivery.
• Manage relationships with fleet rental providers, vehicle partners, and bus service suppliers, overseeing vehicle and bus requirements, scheduling, deployment, branding and wrapping, operational readiness, and service performance.
• Oversee fleet management within the Tournament Management System (TMS), including vehicle allocation, bookings, scheduling, tracking, reporting, and transport data management to support efficient operational delivery.
• Lead the recruitment, training, and management of the fleet and bus operations workforce, including the development and delivery of driver training programs in collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Collaborate closely with internal departments, venues, host cities, and external stakeholders to capture transport requirements, ensure integrated planning, identify and mitigate operational risks, and deliver seamless transport solutions across the tournament.
• Manage budgets, project deliverables, and operational performance for the Fleet & Bus Operations function, ensuring all activities are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with tournament objectives, while supporting knowledge transfer and post-event debrief activities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in transport operations within the events industry, ideally delivering fleet and bus operations for major sporting events, tournaments, or large-scale events in Australia.
• Demonstrated experience managing fleet and bus operations in a major event or tournament environment, from planning through to operational delivery.
• Proven ability to develop and implement transport operational plans, with a strong understanding of venue-based transport operations and stakeholder service requirements.
• Experience using transport management systems, tournament management platforms, vehicle scheduling tools, and other operational technology solutions.
• Strong supplier and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build productive partnerships and collaborate effectively across multiple functional areas.
• Proven leadership experience, including recruiting, developing, and managing operational teams, contractors, and volunteer workforces in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent project management, organisational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver outcomes within budget.
• Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with exceptional attention to detail, sound judgement, and a high level of professionalism and diplomacy.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Flexibility to travel domestically and work outside standard business hours when required.

Why You’ll Love It Here 

• Competitive salary: We know world-class talent deserves to be rewarded.
• Hybrid game plan: Work from home on Mondays and Fridays, with a 3-day in-office schedule (Tues–Thu), moving to full-time in-office in 2027 as the tournament approaches.
• Unbeatable location: A modern space across from Sydney’s Hyde Park, just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall, surrounded by public transport, great cafes, restaurants, and shops.
• Wellbeing first: Weekly fresh fruit, Lunch and learns and a focus on keeping our team feeling their best on and off the field.
• Locker-room ready: Showers, fresh towels, and Dyson hair tools so you can reset and refresh any time.
• Team spirit: Weekly drinks and social catchups that celebrate wins big and small.
• Make your mark: Play a key role in bringing the third largest sporting event in the world to life right here in Australia!

Australia’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game, celebrate our people and culture, and deliver lasting social and economic impact. At the heart of our mission is diversity, inclusion, and legacy ensuring Rugby’s growth benefits all and inspires a new generation of players, fans, and communities. Join us in shaping an unforgettable celebration of Rugby, culture, and community.

How to apply:

Please submit your CV (maximum 3 pages) and cover letter outlining your suitability based on the requirements for the role via the APPLY NOW link. Only suitable candidates will be contacted.

In setting expectations, there will be a 2-round interview process in our Sydney office.

All applicants need to be able to obtain their own unlimited working rights in Australia.

We do not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies and no fees will be payable. 

Rugby World Cup Australia is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.