Transport Support Services Manager

CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization is seeking a Transport Support Services Manager to oversee the Education Transport and Fleet Management Services. This role involves leading teams to ensure compliant and efficient delivery of transport services for children and vulnerable adults. Key responsibilities include managing transport operations, overseeing contracts, and ensuring safeguarding practices. Candidates should have significant experience in statutory transport management and strong skills in policy development and team leadership. This is a full-time temporary role with hybrid working options.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing Home to School Transport or similar statutory transport services.
• Experience of managing teams in a local authority environment.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and safe operational practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Education Transport and Fleet Management teams.
• Ensure transport operations meet statutory regulations.
• Review and update transport strategies and policies.
• Oversee contract management and performance of transport providers.
• Conduct budget setting and monitoring across budgets.

Skills

Managing Home to School Transport

Contract management

Team management

Writing policies

Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks

Human and financial resource management

Service improvement

Relationship building

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Adaptable approach to change

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

The Transport Support Services Manager will lead Bracknell Forest Borough Councils Education Transport and Fleet Management Services ensuring the safe compliant and efficient delivery of Home to School Transport Social Care transport and fleet operations.

The role will drive policy development service improvement and cost efficiencies while maintaining strong safeguarding practice.

Working within the SEND and wider People directorate the post-holder will build collaborative relationships to deliver high-quality transport solutions for children young people and vulnerable adults.

Key Duties & Accountabilities

• Lead and manage Education Transport and Fleet Management teams to deliver statutory and non-statutory transport services.
• Ensure transport operations meet statutory regulations government guidance and local policy.
• Review and update transport strategies policies operational handbooks and safeguarding processes.
• Oversee contract management compliance monitoring and performance of transport providers.
• Support commissioning activity including tendering framework development and procurement.
• Conduct robust budget setting monitoring and financial control across staffing and non-staffing budgets.
• Develop and implement new ways of working to improve efficiency customer experience and value for money.
• Lead service co-production with families schools commissioning partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain effective risk management practices across all transport operations.
• Ensure staff are trained supported and performance-managed to deliver high-quality services.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders councillors and educational settings.
• Support safeguarding processes and ensure safe recruitment and compliance in line with LADO and licensing requirements.

Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience managing Home to School Transport or similar statutory transport services.
• Strong contract management and supplier-performance oversight skills.
• Experience of managing teams in a local authority environment.
• Proven ability to write policies procedures and processes that meet statutory transport regulations.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and safe operational practice.
• Experience in human and financial resource management including large budgets.
• Evidence of service improvement transformation and delivering high-quality provision.
• Ability to build effective relationships across teams partners and political environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and plan effectively.
• Positive adaptable approach to change.

Additional Information

Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Enhanced DBS clearance required.

Hybrid working (Time Square / remote).

Temporary role from 1 December 2025 to 27 February 2026 full-time at 37 hours per week.

Smart-casual dress code.

Works within the SEND team and collaborates across Education Adult Social Care Licensing Commissioning and Finance.

Responsible for a staffing budget of £220,000 and a non-staffing budget of £2.5m.

Manages a domestic fleet of 26 vehicles and transport provision for 735 children and young people across 123 contracted routes.