Travel Support Team Manager

Travel Support Team Manager

Organization:
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Salary: £51,356 – £54,495

Grade: 12

Directorate: Children’s Services

Section: Education Travel Support Team (ETST)

Location: Dudley

Contract: Full Time

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and forward‑thinking manager to lead our Education Travel Support Team. This key leadership role within Children’s Services ensures 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.

In this high‑impact role, you will:

• 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 £10 m 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 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.

We are looking for someone who:

• 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.

Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro‑rata) or onsite full time.