Recovery Operations Regional Manager - South East

Company Description/ Business Unit

Job Title: Recovery Operations Regional Manager
Location: South East – Field-based
Employment Type: Permanent

AA Summary

Think the AA is just about roadside assistance? Think again! 

As one of the UK's most trusted brands, we provide a wide range of services to millions of customers. From comprehensive Home and Motor Insurance to personalised Financial Services like Loans and Savings, and outstanding B2B, Consumer, Business Services, Driver Training, Car Care, and Service Maintenance and Repair, we've got you covered. Our mission is to keep Britain moving, and we're looking for dedicated individuals to join our team. Ready to join us?

#LI-EJ1 #LI-Field

This is the job

As a Recovery Operations Regional Manager, you’ll lead a high-performing team of Performance Leaders and Recovery Patrols across 6–10 locations in the South East, managing up to 150 colleagues and a fleet of 60–100 vehicles. You’ll be responsible for delivering exceptional customer service while driving strong commercial outcomes, cost control, income generation, and efficiency savings, without compromising on compliance, quality, or service standards.

This is a pivotal leadership role with accountability for transport operations, fleet availability, and resource utilisation across your region. You’ll be a named operator licence holder and a key figure in maintaining compliance with DVSA and Traffic Commissioner expectations, including European Drivers’ Hours regulations.

What will I be doing?

• Owning the delivery of business and financial KPIs, ensuring performance aligns with budget expectations and commercial objectives
• Leading and engaging a high-performing regional team, fostering a culture of ownership, continuous learning, open communication, and readiness for change
• Driving change through people, building a team that embraces transformation and consistently meets performance targets
• Owning the regional budget, maintaining awareness of financial targets and ensuring value-driven delivery across all activities
• Collaborating across a matrix environment, working with peers, business partners, and supervisors to maximise team effectiveness and commercial impact
• Leveraging data-driven insights to address underperformance through coaching, training, and structured action plans
• Championing compliance across your region, ensuring all drivers operate within UK and EU legislation to protect the AA’s reputation and minimise risk
• Managing relationships with maintenance providers to meet legal deadlines, resolve delays, and ensure optimal driver and vehicle availability, driving efficiency through UVOR

What do I need?

• Demonstrated credibility and leadership within HGV operations, with a strong understanding of transport logistics
• Operational experience at managerial level, ideally within a recovery and DVSA-compliant environment
• Proven success in managing road transport operations and delivering results through people
• Track record of achieving performance targets by motivating and inspiring teams
• Analytical and commercially minded, able to build compelling business cases for change
• Confident in interpreting financial and operational data to drive informed decisions
• Strong customer focus, with a commitment to delivering positive outcomes
• Comfortable operating in high-volume, service-driven transport environments
• Experience in maintaining full compliance with National Operator Licence requirements in the road haulage industry
• Comprehensive knowledge of the full operational chain and its interdependencies
• Able to work effectively in a unionised environment, with experience in trade union relations
• National Transport Manager CPC qualification (or equivalent) is essential
• HGV driving licence is desirable but not mandatory

Additional information

We’re always looking to recognise and reward our employees for the work they do. As a valued member of The AA team, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
• Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
• Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
• Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
• Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
• Company funded life assurance
• Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family

Plus, so much more!

We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.

As part of the onboarding process, we complete several pre-employment checks including work reference, credit and criminal record checks.

We may close the vacancy sooner than the advertised date if we get a high volume of applications, please apply now if you are interested.