UK Operations Lead

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Building a Regional Headquarters: You aren't just managing a team; you are building the "Waymo UK" organization. Influence on Global Product Roadmap: As the "Voice of the UK," you will have a seat at the table with Waymo’s Executives and Engineering, directly influencing how the next Generations Waymo Driver is designed for non-US environments. In this hybrid role, you will report to the Director of Operations, Head of Europe Operations.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Execution: Defines and drives the UK operational road map, ensuring local growth aligns with Waymo’s global objectives and long-term expansion strategy; Safety & Operational Health: Holds end-to-end accountability for regional safety standards, service reliability, and maintaining high levels of customer trust; Market Entry & Scaling: Leads the "launch-to-scale" life-cycle, ensuring operational readiness, partner capabilities, and disciplined execution during UK market entry; Stakeholder & Partner Management: Serves as the primary UK representative to regulators and community leaders while managing vendor performance and regional governance; Cross-Functional Integration: Acts as the central hub connecting regional operations with global product, engineering, and safety teams to streamline enterprise-wide goals; Financial & Talent Oversight: Manages regional budgets and cost efficiencies while mentoring leadership talent to foster a culture of accountability and excellence.

Requirements

Senior Operational Leadership in Transportation or related field: 10+ years of experience leading large scope multi-facility operations, technology,in or logistics at a senior level; UK Market Entry Expertise: A proven track record of successfully launching and scaling large-scale operations specifically within the UK market; Safety & Regulatory Management: Demonstrated experience managing safety-critical environments and navigating complex regulatory landscapes or strategic partnerships; Governance & Performance Metrics: Expertise in defining KPIs, establishing governance structures, and setting clear operational priorities; Technical & Field Integration: Proven ability to bridge the gap between engineering/product development and on-the-ground field teams; Financial & Talent Oversight: Advanced proficiency in P&L management and budget oversight, paired with a history of building and mentoring high-performing leadership teams.

Nice to have

Autonomous Vehicle Sector Knowledge: Direct experience in the AV industry or emerging mobility technology, providing a head start on technical and safety nuances; An MBA or an advanced degree in Engineering, Logistics, or a related field from a leading institution; Multi-Market Expansion: Experience scaling operations in the UK market; Continuous Improvement Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt or above or similar certification level; Agile Methodology: Familiarity with agile product development cycles to better integrate with engineering and software teams.

Benefits

Discretionary annual bonus program; equity incentive plan; generous Company benefits program; top-notch medical, dental and vision insurance; mental wellness support; gym membership; special wellness programs; competitive compensation; bonus opportunities; equity; employees provident fund; perks and employee discounts; flexibility to work from another location for four weeks per year; on-site or hybrid work model; remote working opportunities; paid time off; bereavement, sick, and parental leave.