Education Transport Manager

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Flexible working hours

Active travel facilities

Training and development

Job summary

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority is seeking an experienced Education Transport Manager to lead the planning, development and improvement of education transport services across South Yorkshire. The role is based at Sheffield Head Office with hybrid working and a fixed-term 12-month contract.

You will analyse travel demand, manage school transport contracts and budgets, and provide senior‑level advice to shape transport provision for learners, families and communities across the region.

Qualifications

• Experience in transport planning, network development and public transport operations
• Strong understanding of transport policy and statutory responsibilities
• Proven ability to analyse data and develop evidence-based solutions
• Experience managing budgets, contracts and service performance

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, review and improvement of education transport services across South Yorkshire
• Ensure statutory education transport responsibilities are delivered effectively
• Manage school transport contracts, budgets and service performance
• Analyse travel demand, patronage and performance data
• Develop sustainable and accessible transport solutions with partners
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on transport provision

Skills

Transport planning

Public transport operations

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Budget & contract management

Report writing & briefing

Job description

Education Transport Manager

Application Deadline: 20 September 2026

Department: Public Transport Operations

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Sam Millington

Compensation: £42,840 - £46,142 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours per week (full time)
• Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
• Salary: Grade 9 - £42,840 - £46,142
• Location: Sheffield (hybrid working)

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Education Transport Manager to join our Bus Services team.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the planning, development and continuous improvement of education transport services across South Yorkshire. You will play a key role in ensuring services are accessible, efficient and financially sustainable, while supporting wider regional transport priorities and delivering positive outcomes for young people, families and communities.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Bus Services, you will lead the strategic development and performance management of South Yorkshire's education transport network, working closely with operators, local authorities, education providers and other stakeholders.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the planning, review and improvement of education transport services across South Yorkshire
• Ensure statutory education transport responsibilities are delivered effectively and efficiently
• Manage school transport contracts, budgets and service performance
• Analyse travel demand, patronage and performance data to support evidence-based decision-making
• Work with transport operators and partners to develop sustainable and accessible transport solutions
• Monitor the impact of changing travel patterns, education provision and transport initiatives on the network
• Provide expert advice and recommendations to senior leaders on transport provision and network performance
• Prepare reports, business cases and briefing materials to support governance and decision-making processes
• Coordinate activity across stakeholders to ensure service improvements and network changes are delivered successfully
• Promote safe, inclusive and accessible transport for learners across the region

This role offers the opportunity to influence the future of education transport and support wider ambitions for mobility, inclusion and connectivity across South Yorkshire.

About you

You will be an experienced transport professional with strong analytical, stakeholder management and programme delivery skills.

You will bring:

• Experience in transport planning, network development, public transport operations or a related field
• A strong understanding of public transport services, transport policy and statutory responsibilities
• Experience working collaboratively with operators, local authorities and other partners
• The ability to analyse complex data and develop practical, evidence-based solutions
• Experience managing budgets, contracts and service performance
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage a range of stakeholders
• The ability to balance competing priorities and make sound decisions in a complex environment
• Experience developing reports, recommendations and business cases for senior decision-makers
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with a commitment to improving customer outcomes

Knowledge of education transport, concessionary travel, network planning or transport strategy would be advantageous.

If you are passionate about improving transport services and ensuring people have access to safe, reliable and accessible travel opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits

All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

• Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes.
• Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications
• Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact [e-mail] or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.