Transport Contract Manager | Full Time | Accessible Transport Services |Rufford |

Lancashire County Council; Ormskirk; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Transport Contract Manager in Ormskirk to oversee Home to School and Adult Day Care transport services. The role involves managing contracts, a team of Passenger Assistants, and ensuring high-quality support for vulnerable individuals in the community. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential. Benefits include flexible working hours and generous leave entitlements.

Benefits

32 days annual leave

Pension Scheme

Employee Benefits platform

Qualifications

• Experience in staff and contract management.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a varied and large workload.
• Knowledge of needs for people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND).

Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning and resourcing journeys for Home to School and Adult Day Care transport services.
• Manage a team of Passenger Assistants including recruitment and training.
• Monitor performance and review efficiency and compliance of transport contracts.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Team leadership

IT skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)

Empathy

Job description

Job Description

Salary £32,062-£36,363 Per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Accessible Transport Services Team

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship

We are currently recruiting...

A Transport Contract Manager to work within the Accessible Transport Services Team based in the Chorley & West Lancashire areas of the County, based at Station Road, Rufford, L40 1TB.

Working as part of a busy and responsive team, you will be responsible for both Home to School (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) and Adult Day Care transport services. The core duties of the role include planning and resourcing journeys both internally, using our own fleet of minibuses, and externally with approved Private Hire and Taxi suppliers. You will be responsible for managing a large number of contracts, for which you will be monitoring performance and reviewing efficiency and cost effectiveness, whilst ensuring compliance. You will build strong network relationships with different departments within the authority and with Schools and Daytime Support Centres in your allocated area and in support of your colleagues.

You will also manage a team of Passenger Assistants including recruitment and induction, work allocation, Performance and Development Appraisals, Training Plans as well as monitoring working time and approving pay records. Absence management and low-level disciplinary issues are also a key part of the role.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong work ethic and excellent communication skills who wants to help the most vulnerable in our community get to where they need to be each day, whether they are children with Special Educational Needs or adults accessing day services. Transport is a lifeline for many families helping them to live a fulfilled life.

What we are looking for...

Knowledge and Experience

We're looking for someone with a great mix of enthusiasm, initiative, knowledge, and experience of staff and contract management who can manage and prioritise a varied and large workload.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent communication, organisational and people skills (friendly, considerate, patient, empathy etc). They will have an excellent knowledge of IT systems including using Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and also experience of learning and developing new specialist software whilst ensuring high levels of customer service.

The ability to lead, supervise and organise a team is a key skill for the role, as is an awareness and empathy of the needs of people with Special Education Needs or Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

Communication

We're seeking someone who is an excellent communicator with the ability to work independently but also collaboratively within a wider team. You'll enjoy building effective working relationships with other service areas and colleagues, understanding their needs but also being able to communicate difficult messages when needed.

Whilst under pressure you will maintain high levels of professionalism and courtesy, dealing with a wide and complex variety of scenarios.

Why join us...

Benefits

There's fabulous flexibility and the opportunity to create the work life balance you'll love; with up to 32 days annual leave plus 10 statutory/bank holidays. We also have an enviable Pension Scheme and Employee Benefits platform which provides numerous discounts from your weekly shop to holidays and entertainment with salary sacrifice options on electronics, bicycles, white goods, and cars.

Development

We’ll provide support and development at each stage of your journey with us. There will be opportunities for career progression both within the service but also into other areas of the organisation if you wish. They'll be time for reflection and interaction with your line manager, as well as peer support from those within the wider team.

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

How to apply...

Applications must be submitted online, however, please feel free to contact us for an initial informal and confidential chat - contact Chrish Makinson, Area Transport Manager either by telephone [phone] or email [e-mail] .

Closing Date: 28th November 2025 Interview dates: TBC

Job Description/Person Specification