Operations Manager, AV Deployment

At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.  Flexdrive is a subsidiary of Lyft that works together with Lyft teams to realize our shared mission.

At Flexdrive, we're at the forefront of revolutionizing transportation by building the operational backbone for autonomous vehicle (AV) fleets. As a leader in fleet management, we're leveraging our expertise to enter the AV space, forming strategic partnerships with cutting-edge technology providers. We're looking for a hands-on leader to help us pioneer this new chapter, starting with our first AV depot in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reporting to the Director, Field Operations, Flexdrive is seeking an experienced and highly analytical Operations Manager, AV Deployment to be the founding operational leader for our new AV depot in Nashville, TN. This pivotal role is more than just management—it's about building a critical new business capability from the ground up. You will be responsible for creating the strategic framework, overseeing the physical deployment of our depot, and ensuring the seamless functioning of our AV support infrastructure in close partnership with our AV technology partners.

This role is for a leader with a unique blend of strategic foresight, project management excellence, and deep operational knowledge within the AV or complex fleet management space. If you thrive in ambiguous, build-from-scratch environments and possess the business acumen to drive efficiency and scalability, enabling our AV operations to thrive, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Depot Deployment:

• Depot Launch: Lead the end-to-end deployment and commissioning of our new AV depot in the market, acting as the primary point of contact for all strategic, operational, and physical build-out activities.
• Operational Blueprint Development: Develop comprehensive operational blueprints and long-term strategies for establishing AV depot operations and the broader operational ecosystem in new territories, considering local regulations, infrastructure, and unique market dynamics.
• System & Process Design: Lead the design and optimization of critical operational systems and processes for AV fleet management, including depot layout, vehicle flow (charging, cleaning, maintenance, staging, diagnostics), parts management, and data handling.
• Technology Integration: Define requirements and oversee the integration of necessary technologies and tools to enable efficient and scalable AV operations within the depot environment.
• Resource Forecasting & Business Case Development: Forecast and plan for all operational resources (equipment, technology, consumables, staffing) and build robust business cases to justify investment in new market expansion and operational improvements, demonstrating clear ROI.

Operational Excellence & Management:

• Daily Operational Leadership: Serve as the primary operational leader for the Nashville AV depot, driving daily performance and ensuring adherence to all operational and safety protocols.
• Process Design & Implementation: Design, document, and continuously refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and safety protocols for all aspects of AV fleet management within the depot, from vehicle entry to dispatch.
• Performance Monitoring & Optimization: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for depot operations (e.g., vehicle uptime, turnaround time, maintenance efficiency, cost per vehicle) and proactively drive data-driven initiatives for continuous improvement.
• Data Analysis & Insights: Utilize data and analytics to identify operational bottlenecks, predict future needs, and drive continuous improvement in AV depot performance, cost-efficiency, and safety.

Stakeholder & Partner Collaboration:

• Team Enablement: Collaborate with the Director of Field Ops and Flexdrive leadership to determine staffing needs for new depots, support recruitment, and develop initial training programs for new AV operators and technicians.
• Partner Relationship Management: Maintain strong working relationships with our AV technology partners, ensuring their operational needs are seamlessly integrated into Flexdrive's depot activities and collaborating on joint initiatives for fleet health and performance.
• Vendor Management: Collaborate with external vendors and partners for equipment, services, and technology solutions critical to AV depot operations.
• Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure all operations adhere to local, state, and federal regulations for autonomous vehicles and commercial fleet management.
• Communication & Reporting: Create clear, concise documentation for operational procedures, project plans, and performance reports for various stakeholders, influencing decisions and gaining buy-in for AV operations strategies.

Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in program or operational leadership, with a strong understanding of autonomous vehicle (AV) operational lifecycles and complex fleet management.
• Proven track record of building and launching new operational sites or programs from the ground up, including physical infrastructure development.
• Exceptional project and program management skills, including proficiency in planning, budget management, risk assessment, and stakeholder communication.
• Strong business acumen and a highly analytical, data-driven mindset, capable of developing strategic operational plans, building business cases, and leveraging data to drive efficiency and profitability.
• Demonstrated leadership ability in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to drive cross-functional initiatives and lead on-site operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.

Benefits:

• Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Mental health benefits
• Family building benefits
• In addition to 12 observed holidays, salaried team members have unlimited paid time off, hourly team members have 15 days paid time off
• 401(k) plan to help save for your future
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Lyft Pink - Lyft team members get an exclusive opportunity to test new benefits of our Ridership Program

Lyft is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.  

This role is on-site at a Lyft Flexdrive hub or office location full time. #Onsite

The expected range of pay for this position in Nashville is [$108,240 - $135,300]. Salary ranges are dependent on a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience and geographic location. Range is not inclusive of potential equity offering, bonus or benefits. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range specific to your working location and other factors during the hiring process.