Service Manager - Passenger Transport

Bath and North East Somerset Council; Bath; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath and North East Somerset Council is seeking a dynamic Service Manager – Passenger Transport to provide strategic and operational leadership across Home to School Transport, SEND Transport, Adult Social Care Transport and Passenger Fleet Operations.

You will shape how transport services evolve to meet rising demand, ensure safety and quality, manage significant budgets, and lead a team of experienced managers to deliver services that support residents and families.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex operational transport services.
• Strong understanding of SEND, education or adult social care transport provision.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership across the Council's Passenger Transport Service.
• Ensuring statutory transport responsibilities are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Leading transport contract management, commissioning and provider relationships.
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding, compliance and passenger safety.
• Acting as a senior lead for fleet operations and Operator Licence responsibilities.
• Driving service transformation, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Managing significant budgets and ensuring value for money.
• Building trusted relationships with Members, schools, families, providers and partners.

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

Bath & North East Somerset Council, our purpose is simple – to improve people’s lives. That purpose is at the heart of everything we do, and nowhere is it more tangible than in Passenger Transport.

About the Team

Every day hundreds of journeys take place because of the decisions, partnerships and services delivered by our Passenger Transport team. From helping children and young people access education, to ensuring vulnerable adults can reach essential care and support, this is a service that has a direct and meaningful impact on residents and families across Bath and North East Somerset.

We are looking for an exceptional leader to take on the role of Service Manager – Passenger Transport, providing strategic and operational leadership across Home to School Transport, SEND Transport, Adult Social Care Transport and Passenger Fleet Operations.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile service at a time of significant change and opportunity. You will help shape how transport services evolve to meet growing demand, changing customer expectations and increasing financial pressures, while maintaining a relentless focus on safety, quality and outcomes.

About the Role

Reporting within the Place Management leadership team, you will lead a diverse operational service responsible for:

• Home to School Transport
• SEND Transport
• Adult Social Care Transport
• Passenger Fleet Operations
• Operator Licence Compliance
• Transport Contracts and Providers
• Safeguarding and Transport Safety
• Service Improvement and Transformation

You will work closely with schools, families, councillors, transport operators, social care colleagues and regional partners to ensure services are safe, effective, financially sustainable and centred around the needs of residents.

You will lead experienced managers and operational teams, providing visible, supportive leadership whilst creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

What you'll be responsible for

• Providing strategic leadership across the Council's Passenger Transport Service.
• Ensuring statutory transport responsibilities are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Leading transport contract management, commissioning and provider relationships.
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding, compliance and passenger safety.
• Acting as a senior lead for fleet operations and Operator Licence responsibilities.
• Driving service transformation, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Managing significant budgets and ensuring value for money.
• Building trusted relationships with Members, schools, families, providers and partners.
• Leading, developing and supporting managers and staff to succeed.
• Creating a resilient, inclusive and high-performing service culture.

About You

This is a role for someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery; someone who is equally comfortable leading service transformation, responding to operational challenges, and supporting colleagues through change.

You will be educated to degree level (or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience) and hold a Passenger Transport Manager CPC, or be able to achieve the qualification required to support the Council's Operator Licence responsibilities.

What we're looking for

• Significant experience managing complex operational transport services.
• Strong understanding of SEND, education or adult social care transport provision.
• Experience managing contracts, providers and commercial relationships.
• A track record of delivering service improvement and organisational change.
• Strong financial management and budget oversight skills.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience leading and developing teams through periods of change.
• Sound judgement, resilience and political awareness.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced/Basic DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.

*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.