Travel Support Team Manager

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council; Dudley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Travel Support Team Manager to lead its Education Travel Support Team (ETST). This role involves managing a team to ensure safe travel for over 900 children. Responsibilities include overseeing transport services, managing a £10m contract, and driving service improvements. Candidates should have experience in operational service management and a strong understanding of safeguarding and contract management. This position offers the opportunity to impact the lives of children and young people positively.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in managing operational services, ideally in a transport, education or local authority setting.
• Ability to lead teams effectively and develop a culture of high performance.
• Strong contract management and commissioning experience.
• Understands safeguarding responsibilities and manages sensitive decision-making.
• Highly organized, capable of handling competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team to deliver a high‑quality travel support service.
• Oversee assessment of applications and transport commissioning.
• Manage £10m of procured travel support services.
• Drive innovation and improvements in service delivery.
• Prepare reports and liaise with Legal and Procurement.

Skills

Team leadership

Contract management

Safeguarding

Operational services management

Relationship building

Financial analysis

Job description

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and forward‑thinking Travel Support Team Manager to lead our Education Travel Support Team (ETST). This is a key leadership role within Children's Services, ensuring that over 900 children and young people can travel safely and reliably to school or educational provision every day. The service supports a diverse range of children and young people aged 4‑25, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), those in care, and those accessing respite or short‑break services. You will be at the heart of a service that directly improves children's daily lives and their access to education. In this high‑impact role, you will:

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of eight staff to deliver a safe, efficient and high‑quality travel support service.
• Oversee the assessment of applications, commissioning of transport, contract management, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement activity.
• Manage approximately £10m of procured travel support services and ensure robust contract compliance, including audits, investigations and contractor performance action.
• Lead on safeguarding across all commissioned travel services including managing allegations, liaising with the LADO, carrying out formal interviews and, where necessary, making referrals to the DBS.
• Build strong working relationships with schools, transport providers, social care and education teams.
• Drive innovation and improvements, analysing performance and financial data to identify opportunities for efficiencies without compromising safety or quality.
• Prepare reports, briefings and correspondence and work with Legal and Procurement to shape future commissioning activity.
• This is a complex, varied and rewarding role requiring professional confidence, strong judgement and the ability to work under pressure especially during peak operational periods.

Qualifications

• Has significant experience in managing operational services, ideally in a transport, education or local authority setting.
• Can lead teams effectively, motivating staff and developing a culture of high performance.
• Has strong contract management, commissioning or procurement experience.
• Understands safeguarding responsibilities and can manage sensitive, high‑risk decision‑making.
• Is highly organised and able to work at pace, managing competing priorities.
• Is confident in handling complex issues, complaints and investigations.
• Builds positive, productive relationships with internal and external partners.
• You will also need a full driving licence and business insurance. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

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About Dudley Council: It's an incredibly exciting time to work in Dudley Council as we embark on numerous multi‑million pound regeneration schemes which will be real game‑changers for the borough. In addition to the exciting schemes such as the Midland Metro we also have the ongoing and very serious challenges of ensuring vulnerable people across the borough receive the services they deserve. At Dudley Council we have a 'one council' ethos that builds an effective and dynamic organisation which grows the economy and creates jobs, creating a cleaner and greener place and supports stronger and safer communities. We are rightly proud to be the historic capital of the Black Country and, working with our partners, Dudley Council is also committed to looking forward and helping to deliver our borough vision of 'Forge a Future for all' www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk We ensure communities influence council decisions and are committed to delivering services in partnership with communities. We provide flexible and responsive service in partnership and help communities help themselves.

About Dudley Council

• In joining a local authority that serves 320,000 residents you will become an integral part of a council that:
• Is ready to embrace change, providing an environment in which you will be encouraged to make your mark.
• Is aware of its key challenges and the need for a new energy to innovate the council, in order to find cost‑effective ways of delivering services.
• Has aligned its political and managerial leadership structures and is committed to protecting, securing and transforming the lives of children, families, the vulnerable and older people.
• Wants borough residents to have their say through our community forums.
• Dedicates time to meaningful consultation and listens to the views of our residents.
• Is working with the community to encourage active involvement of our residents.