Service Manager - Passenger Transport

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

Bath & North East Somerset Council
, our purpose is simple –
to improve people’s lives
. That purpose is at the heart of everything we do, and nowhere is it more tangible than in Passenger Transport.

Every day hundreds of journeys take place because of the decisions, partnerships and services delivered by our Passenger Transport team. From helping children and young people access education, to ensuring vulnerable adults can reach essential care and support, this is a service that has a direct and meaningful impact on residents and families across Bath and North East Somerset.

We are looking for an exceptional leader to take on the role of Service Manager – Passenger Transport
, providing strategic and operational leadership across Home to School Transport, SEND Transport, Adult Social Care Transport and Passenger Fleet Operations.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile service at a time of significant change and opportunity. You will help shape how transport services evolve to meet growing demand, changing customer expectations and increasing financial pressures, while maintaining a relentless focus on safety, quality and outcomes.

Reporting within the Place Management leadership team, you will lead a diverse operational service responsible for:

• Home to School Transport
• SEND Transport
• Adult Social Care Transport
• Passenger Fleet Operations
• Operator Licence Compliance
• Transport Contracts and Providers
• Safeguarding and Transport Safety
• Service Improvement and Transformation

You will work closely with schools, families, councillors, transport operators, social care colleagues and regional partners to ensure services are safe, effective, financially sustainable and centred around the needs of residents.

You will lead experienced managers and operational teams, providing visible, supportive leadership whilst creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Providing strategic leadership across the Council's Passenger Transport Service.
• Ensuring statutory transport responsibilities are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Leading transport contract management, commissioning and provider relationships.
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding, compliance and passenger safety.
• Acting as a senior lead for fleet operations and Operator Licence responsibilities.
• Driving service transformation, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Managing significant budgets and ensuring value for money.
• Building trusted relationships with Members, schools, families, providers and partners.
• Leading, developing and supporting managers and staff to succeed.
• Creating a resilient, inclusive and high-performing service culture.

This is a role for someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery; someone who is equally comfortable leading service transformation, responding to operational challenges, and supporting colleagues through change.

You will be educated to degree level (or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience) and hold a Passenger Transport Manager CPC
, or be able to achieve the qualification required to support the Council's Operator Licence responsibilities.

• Significant experience managing complex operational transport services.
• Strong understanding of SEND, education or adult social care transport provision.
• Experience managing contracts, providers and commercial relationships.
• A track record of delivering service improvement and organisational change.
• Strong financial management and budget oversight skills.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience leading and developing teams through periods of change.
• Sound judgement, resilience and political awareness.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and…