Transport Contract Manager - Two

JOB PURPOSE

The Education Authority requires two Transport Contract Managers to work within the EA Transport Service.

Reporting directly to the Head of Service, the post holder will manage a complex portfolio of contracts in the excess of £80m. These contracts include the full range of contracted transport provision and on‑vehicle safety equipment for the EA, including a significant contract with Translink to provide Ulsterbus, Metro and NIR travel for eligible pupils and a Dynamic Purchasing System contract for private hire taxi and bus services, with an ever‑increasing focus on SEN transport requirements.

As a Contract Manager within the EA Transport Service, the post holder will play a vital role in ensuring supplier compliance with legislation and guidance and that spending is effectively monitored, achieving value for money. The post holder will ensure that delivery and service/product quality are consistent and that all end users’ satisfaction ratings remain high.

The post holder will be responsible for creating and managing an agreed supplier recording and auditing system, which they will administer across all transport contracts, endeavouring to increase efficiencies and improve the service deliverables while reducing costs where possible.

The post holder will regularly present their reports and outcomes to the Head of Service and Transport Management Team.

In this challenging role, the post holder will work closely with all our stakeholders and be instrumental in delivering a quality service that meets our goals and objectives and exceeds our customers’ expectations.

• Responsible for ensuring that all contract management activities listed in the EA Contract Management Guide are completed on time and to the required level of detail.
• Develop and manage the contract administration processes to ensure compliance with all contract service level agreements, including variations/change control, financial monitoring, performance monitoring as well as other contract mechanisms.
• Actively manage the contract management system, ensuring all actions have been identified and recommendations are made to meet compliance and objectives.
• Maintain intimate knowledge of the contracts and associated terms within the portfolio.
• Arrange schedules of contracts due in advance, arrange panel members, contract specifications, panel meetings and evaluation panels.
• Coordinate and agree with Transport Senior Managers, panels and HoS on contract requirements and specifications.
• Assess the services supplier requirements and ensure that these expectations are met.
• Act as the interface between external suppliers, internal colleagues and procurement / legal teams concerning contract reviews, changes and retendering.
• Play a supporting role in the commissioning and procurement of Home to School Transport Services across the EA.
• Comply with all Departmental controls relating to commercial practice and otherwise, including strict adherence to their delegated authorities, governance, legislation, and policy as appropriate.
• Contribute to the review, revision and development of existing and new contracts.
• Drive service improvement across all contracts for all goods and services for the Transport Service.

• Oversee the management of contracts through auditing and reporting.
• Manage and oversee all Transport audits, report writing and action planning within the remit of Contract Management.
• Create, maintain, and operate Management Information Reports that ensure all processes and procedures are in place and working effectively within the Service.
• Provide timely reports and presentations to the Head of Service on all Transport contract review and performance matters, spending and satisfaction levels with each service provider.
• Put in place an annual onsite supplier auditing schedule.
• Set deadlines and ensure timelines are met, often under challenging circumstances and competing priorities.
• Support the Transport Service in the monitoring and control of contract expenditure in line with agreed budget limits, facilitating action plans to address over and under spend.
• Provide…