Education Transport Support Service Manager

Ackerman Pierce Ltd; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm specializing in social work is seeking an experienced Education Transport Support Service Manager in Bracknell. This role involves leading a high-performing team to deliver safe and efficient transport services for children and young people. The ideal candidate will have extensive management experience, strong contract management skills, and a degree-level qualification. The role offers a hybrid working model and competitive pay.

Qualifications

• Extensive management experience in Home to School Transport services.
• Experience in a local authority or public sector setting.
• Proven experience in developing statutory transport policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead Education Transport and Fleet Management teams.
• Develop transport policies and operational guidance.
• Manage budgets effectively and ensure compliance.

Skills

Contract management skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Financial management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Education Transport Support Service Manager

Location: Berkshire (Hybrid Working)

Contract: 3 months initially, potential for extension

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Education Transport Support Service Manager to lead and develop a high-performing Education Transport and Fleet Management function. This role is ideal for a strategic, solutions-focused manager with a strong background in transport services, statutory responsibilities, and service transformation.

You will oversee the delivery of safe, efficient and compliant transport services for children, young people, and vulnerable service users, as well as the effective management of a diverse fleet. This position plays a critical role in shaping policy, driving improvements, ensuring operational excellence, and supporting key partners across education, commissioning, social care and finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Education Transport and Fleet Management teams to deliver high-quality home-to-school and social care transport services, alongside the management of the organization’s vehicle fleet.
• Review workforce skillsets, identify training needs, and support effective performance management.
• Ensure all transport services operate in line with statutory regulations, national guidance, strategic priorities and internal policies.
• Continuously develop and update transport policy, operational guidance, and internal processes.
• Drive service improvements, cost efficiencies and innovation, with a focus on customer experience and person-centered approaches.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with educational establishments, parents / carers, contractors and wider stakeholders.
• Oversee robust handling of complaints and ensure staff are trained in customer resolution processes.
• Support annual budget formulation, manage budgets effectively, and ensure strong financial controls within the transport teams.
• Contribute to procurement activities for home-to-school transport contracts and ensure teams are confident using route tendering systems.
• Ensure effective contract management, performance monitoring and safeguarding compliance for all transport providers.
• Work closely with safeguarding professionals and licensing services to ensure all appropriate checks, authorizations and risk management processes are in place.
• Maintain strong internal processes for staff training, compliance monitoring and safeguarding reporting.Role Scope

Role Scope

• Line management of Education Transport and Fleet Management teams (approx. 3.5 FTE plus drivers).
• Management of a £220k staffing budget and £2.5m non-staffing budget.
• Oversight of a domestic fleet of 26 vehicles, primarily under contract hire arrangements.
• Responsibility for education transport provision for several hundred children and young people, including those with EHCP / SEN, mainstream pupils, contracted routes and parental mileage arrangements.

About You

Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.

Extensive management experience, including Home to School Transport services.

Strong contract management skills in complex environments.

Experience working at managerial level within a local authority or similar public sector setting.

Proven experience developing statutory transport policies and operational procedures.

Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience.

Demonstrable success in setting performance goals and leading teams to achieve them.

Excellent communication, interpersonal and partnership-working skills.

Strong financial and resource management capability.

Ability to prioritise, plan and manage competing demands effectively.

Positive attitude towards organisational change.

Why Choose Ackerman Pierce?

Ackerman Pierce calls upon over 15 years' worth of experience in recruiting directly into the Social Work Sector. We can offer a unique experience within recruitment where you have your own personal consultant, a DBS and Compliance service with a quick and easy registration process. We pride ourselves on a guaranteed weekly payment process.

To discuss this vacancy further or any other opportunities, please contact Elise Revett or email in your updated CV to us at Ackerman Pierce