Transport Manager

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Ipswich is seeking a Transport Manager to oversee its transport services, ensuring compliance and safety for students. This permanent position requires significant experience in fleet management, staff supervision, and a full UK Driving Licence with D1 entitlement. The role includes operational responsibilities and the capacity to manage significant transport planning. The package includes a salary of £32,600 per annum, full-time hours, and various staff benefits such as free lunch and access to fitness facilities.

Benefits

Free lunch during term time

Access to swimming pool and fitness gym

Cycle to Work scheme

Defined contribution pension scheme

Qualifications

• Full UK Driving Licence with D1 entitlement required.
• Proven track record in fleet management and staff supervision.
• Understanding of Section 19 and Driver Hours regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of transport services ensuring safety.
• Oversee routes and resolve incidents as they arise.
• Manage legal compliance and vehicle maintenance.

Skills

Fleet management

Staff supervision

IT proficiency

Education

UK Driving Licence with D1 entitlement

Transport Manager CPC

MiDAS Assessor

Job description

Job Description

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Details

• Ipswich School
• Address: 25 Henley Road, Ipswich IP1 3SG
• Salary: £32,600 per annum
• Hours: Full time, 42 weeks per year
• Contract: Permanent, required ASAP
• Reference: 8290

The school

Ipswich School is one of the top 130 schools in the country and is certainly one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. We were established prior to 1399, although we moved to our present site in 1852. We have circa 1000 pupils aged between 3 months and 19 years and are fully co-educational. The school operates a 5 day week during term time (35 weeks per annum), with representative sports played during the week and on Saturdays.

Our trading arm, Ipswich School Enterprises Ltd (ISE), incorporates all of our revenue generating activities (including lettings, room and facility hire, private functions, sporting events and school holiday camps) which fall outside school fee income.

The role

Our Transport Manager will lead the strategic and operational delivery of Ipswich School's transport services, ensuring a safe, compliant, and efficient network for all pupils and staff.

You will serve as the primary operational link for our technology partners and parents, overseeing routes and resolving incidents as they arise. You will have responsibility for legal compliance, including the management of Section 19 permits, vehicle maintenance lifecycles, and rigorous safety audits across the fleet to ensure it meets the highest roadworthy standards. You will lead on transport planning for large-scale trips and boarding requirements, and will line manage and develop a dedicated team of drivers to achieve their best.

This position requires a proactive professional who can balance operational and financial oversight with the flexibility to provide hands‑on operational support whenever necessary.

Person specification

You will ideally hold a full UK Driving Licence with D1 entitlement and possess a proven track record in fleet management and staff supervision, perhaps in a school or charity setting. You should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Section 19 and Driver Hours regulations, alongside IT proficiency. We are seeking a resilient and decisive professional who remains calm under pressure and can communicate with empathy and clarity to both parents and colleagues.

A Transport Manager CPC or MiDAS Assessor qualification would be desirable, although a flexible approach and a commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient service are the core requirements for this role

Working hours, salary and benefits

This is a permanent post, subject to the successful completion of a 6‑month probationary period.

You will work a minimum of 37.5 hours per week for 42 weeks of the year, including the 35 weeks per year which comprise Ipswich School term time. During Ipswich School term time you will be required to 'on call' from 07:00 to 18:30 to respond to transport emergencies. The exact working hours can be discussed with the postholder and will vary according to the school's transport requirements and the academic calendar.

• The salary (for the working hours described above) will be £32,600 per annum which includes paid holiday per annum in accordance with the Working Time Regulations. Salaries are paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month and are reviewed annually
• Statutory holiday is to be taken only in the school holiday periods and at other times which do not form part of the contracted working hours for this post
• Free lunch is provided in the Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation
• Staff are able to use the school's swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations) free of charge
• You will have access to Smarthealth, the School's wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support. A Cycle to Work scheme is also offered
• After 3+ years' service, support staff are eligible for staff fee remission
• After 3 months' service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation, you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme with a 10% employer contribution, and will receive 3x death in service life cover.

How to apply

We would encourage you to download an application form and a full job description for this role from our website: www.ipswich.school/vacancies or contact the HR team on 01473 408300 or [e-mail]

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.

Completed application forms should be returned by the closing date to: Director of Human Resources, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich IP1 3SG or email [e-mail]

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date. If we have not been in touch with you to invite you to an interview then we regret that your application will have been unsuccessful, but we would like to thank you for your interest.

Closing date: 12pm, 19 January 2026.
Interview date: 21 January 2026.

Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the job, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

About the Team

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