Service Planning Team Manager

Civic Recruitment Limited; Reigate; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a Senior Transport Planner to lead the Council’s Bus Service Planning Team for a 4‑month contract. You will provide strategic leadership for planning, procurement, contract management and development of local bus services, ensuring safe, affordable and high‑quality services in line with budgets.

You will manage a medium‑sized team, influence senior stakeholders, and work with operators to deliver a customer‑focused network.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification required.
• Chartered membership of CILT or equivalent transport qualification desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years’ senior‑level experience in passenger transport and bus operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, procurement and contract management of local bus services.
• Manage the council's local bus budget and service publicity.
• Oversee capital programmes relating to low/zero-emission buses and community transport.
• Collaborate with Procurement and other services for contract management and performance monitoring.
• Develop strategies to grow local bus patronage and improve accessibility and customer experience.
• Represent the Council at senior, regional and national transport forums.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Transport policy

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree or equivalent professional qualification

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) membership desirable

Job description

Reigate, United Kingdom | Posted on 18/08/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors. In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector‑specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions. Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre‑screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well‑positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

4 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead the Council’s Bus Service Planning Team and provide strategic and professional leadership for the planning, procurement, contract management and development of local bus services. The postholder will ensure that supported bus services are delivered safely, effectively, within approved budgets and to agreed quality standards, while working with commercial operators and partners to develop a sustainable, accessible and customer‑focused bus network.

The role will lead initiatives to grow bus patronage, improve the resident travel experience and deliver the Council’s transport priorities, while providing expert advice to senior officers, elected Members and external stakeholders. The postholder will manage significant revenue and capital resources, lead a medium‑sized professional team and represent the Council at senior local, regional and national transport forums.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, procurement and contract management of local bus services operated under contract to the Council, ensuring statutory, legal, financial and service quality obligations are met.
• Manage the Council’s local bus budget, including supported bus services, service publicity and bus infrastructure maintenance, ensuring effective financial control and value for money.
• Lead the management and delivery of significant capital programmes relating to low and zero-emission buses and community transport.
• Work closely with Procurement and other Council services to ensure effective contract management, quality monitoring, performance management and supplier relationships.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategies and programmes designed to grow local bus patronage and improve the accessibility, reliability, sustainability and customer experience of passenger transport services.
• Work collaboratively with commercial bus operators to secure a sustainable and best‑value local bus network within approved affordability limits.
• Lead the publicity and promotion of local bus services, including contracted and commercially operated services across the county.
• Oversee the provision, management and safe maintenance of Council‑owned bus stop infrastructure.
• Develop and monitor service standards, key performance indicators and contract measures, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and positive outcomes for residents.
• Monitor trends, performance, risks and emerging issues within the passenger transport sector and take appropriate action to maintain and improve service delivery.
• Translate transport strategies, objectives and targets into practical improvement programmes and deliverable work plans.
• Provide authoritative professional advice to Cabinet Members, Scrutiny Committees, elected Members, senior managers and Directorate Leadership Teams on passenger transport matters.
• Prepare and present reports, performance information, business cases, strategic recommendations and other professional documentation for senior and political audiences.
• Lead and manage a medium‑sized professional team, providing direction, coaching, mentoring and development to strengthen capability, performance and accountability.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, professional standards, innovation and high‑quality customer service across the team.
• Represent the Council at a wide range of internal and external forums, including senior management, political, regional and national transport groups.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with bus operators, schools, colleges, educational trusts, elected Members, MPs, stakeholder organisations, neighbouring authorities, government departments and transport bodies.
• Work collaboratively with Transport Policy, Passenger Transport Projects, Transport Development Planning, Procurement and other Council services to deliver integrated transport solutions.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support passenger transport priorities and demonstrate value for money in the delivery of services.
• Ensure all activities comply with relevant legislation, regulations, Council policies, financial procedures, equality requirements and health and safety standards.
• Exercise sound professional and political judgement when managing complex, high‑profile or sensitive passenger transport issues.
• Develop innovative solutions to complex transport challenges and support the delivery of the Council’s long‑term transport vision and Local Transport Plan priorities.

Requirements

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification, together with a relevant transport qualification or equivalent specialist experience.
• Chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) or an equivalent professional qualification, such as a relevant Transport degree, is desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant senior‑level experience within the passenger transport sector, with substantial knowledge of the bus industry.
• Extensive knowledge of local bus operations, service planning, supported services, procurement and contract management.
• Authoritative understanding of relevant transport legislation, regulations, local government procedures and statutory requirements.
• Strong understanding of the financial and commercial workings of the bus and passenger transport industry.
• Experience of managing significant budgets and resources and delivering value for money.
• Experience leading technically complex programmes, projects or service improvement initiatives through to successful outcomes.
• Proven experience of managing and developing professional teams, including motivating, coaching, mentoring and improving staff performance.
• Experience of developing and implementing transport policies, strategies, service standards and improvement programmes.
• Strong understanding of local government financial, HR, procurement and asset management procedures.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex transport objectives, strategies and performance information and translate them into practical programmes of work.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with experience working effectively with senior representatives from public and private sector organisations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear professional advice to senior officers and elected Members.
• High levels of political awareness, judgement and sensitivity, with the ability to operate effectively in a politically complex environment.
• Proven ability to assess risks and benefits, manage competing priorities and make sound decisions within broad strategic and policy parameters.
• Strong partnership‑working skills and the ability to build productive relationships across organisational and professional boundaries.
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant computerised business systems and the ability to use data and technology to improve service delivery.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, health, safety and high standards of customer service.
• Ability to work under pressure, lead with drive and enthusiasm and maintain a strong focus on continuous improvement.

Additional Information

Location: Hybrid/agile working. Designated work base: Quadrant Court, Woking, with travel across Surrey and attendance at internal and external meetings and forums as required.