Fleet Manager / Head of Rigger

Job Title: Fleet Manager

Reporting to: Head of Operations

Business Unit: NEP Dubai

Job Summary:

The OB Fleet Manager is responsible for overseeing the management, maintenance, and deployment of the OB fleet. This role ensures the operational readiness, efficiency, and safety of OB vehicles while optimizing fleet utilization to support broadcast production needs. The OB Fleet Manager will collaborate closely with engineering, production, logistics, and operations teams to ensure seamless service delivery.

Key responsibilities:

Fleet management & operations:

• Oversee the planning, scheduling, and allocation of OB trucks and support vehicles for live productions.
• Ensure compliance with transportation laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Manage fleet availability, ensuring optimal utilization and minimal downtime.
• Develop and implement fleet operational procedures to enhance efficiency.

Maintenance & technical oversight:

• Oversee routine maintenance, servicing, and inspections of OB vehicles to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Liaise with the engineering team to address any technical issues related to broadcast equipment housed in OB trucks.
• Ensure all vehicles are equipped with necessary tools and spare parts to minimize operational disruptions.

Health, safety & compliance:

• Ensure fleet safety standards, including vehicle roadworthiness, driver compliance, and risk management.
• Maintain detailed records of vehicle inspections, licenses, and certifications.
• Implement best practices for safe vehicle operation, including driver training programs.

Team & resource management:

• Supervise drivers and fleet support personnel, ensuring adherence to operational guidelines.
• Develop training programs to enhance the competency and safety awareness of fleet personnel.
• Coordinate with external service providers for vehicle maintenance and emergency repairs.

Budget & cost control:

• Manage fleet operational budgets, tracking costs related to maintenance, fuel, repairs, and upgrades.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring fleet reliability and safety.
• Collaborate with procurement teams for sourcing vehicle parts, service contracts, and new fleet acquisitions.

Logistics & coordination:

• Plan and coordinate vehicle logistics for national and international deployments.
• Develop contingency plans to address unexpected breakdowns or schedule changes.
• Work closely with production teams to ensure fleet logistics align with event timelines and broadcast requirements.

Key Requirements:

Education & experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Transportation, Engineering, or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in fleet management, preferably within the broadcast or live events industry.
• Proven experience in managing large vehicles and specialized broadcast equipment.

Technical & professional skills:

• Strong understanding of fleet maintenance, vehicle compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of OB truck operations, including power distribution, cooling systems, and broadcast equipment integration.
• Ability to troubleshoot and coordinate quick solutions to technical or logistical challenges.
• Familiarity with GPS tracking, fleet management software, and telematics systems.

Soft skills:

• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Effective communication and coordination skills with internal teams and external vendors.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities efficiently.

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel as needed to support OB operations.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, including weekends and public holidays, based on production schedules.
• Valid driver’s license and experience in handling heavy vehicles is an advantage.