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Job Description
Salary: £31,067- £35,235 per annum | Type: Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Location: South Ribble
International Sponsorship: this role is not open to international sponsorship.
We are currently recruiting a Transport Contract Manager to work within the Integrated Transport Services Team based in the South Ribble/Preston area of the County, based at Environmental Education Centre, Farington Waste Recovery Park, Sustainability Way, Leyland, PR26 6TB.
Working as part of a busy and responsive team, you will be responsible for both Home to School (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) and Adult Day Care transport services. The core duties of the role include:
1. Planning and resourcing journeys both internally, using our own fleet of minibuses, and externally with approved Private Hire and Taxi suppliers.
2. Managing a large number of contracts, monitoring performance, and reviewing efficiency and cost-effectiveness while ensuring compliance.
3. Building strong network relationships with different departments within the authority and with Schools and Daytime Support Centres in your allocated area.
4. Managing a team of Passenger Assistants, including recruitment and induction, work allocation, Performance and Development Appraisals, Training Plans, monitoring working time, and approving pay records.
5. Handling absence management and low-level disciplinary issues.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong work ethic and excellent communication skills who wants to help the most vulnerable in our community get to where they need to be each day, whether they are children with Special Educational Needs or adults accessing day services. Transport is a lifeline for many families helping them to live a fulfilled life.
What we are looking for...
Knowledge and Experience: We're looking for someone with a great mix of enthusiasm, initiative, knowledge, and experience of staff and contract management who can manage and prioritise a varied and large workload. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
1. Excellent communication, organisational, and people skills (friendly, considerate, patient, empathy, etc.).
2. Excellent knowledge of IT systems including using Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and experience of learning and developing new specialist software while ensuring high levels of customer service.
3. The ability to lead, supervise, and organise a team, with an awareness and empathy for the needs of people with Special Education Needs or Disabilities (SEND) and their families.
Communication: We're seeking someone who is an excellent communicator with the ability to work independently but also collaboratively within a wider team. You'll enjoy building effective working relationships with other service areas and colleagues, understanding their needs but also being able to communicate difficult messages when needed. While under pressure, you will maintain high levels of professionalism and courtesy, dealing with a wide and complex variety of scenarios.
Why join us...
Benefits: There's fabulous flexibility and the opportunity to create the work-life balance you'll love; with up to 32 days annual leave plus 10 statutory/bank holidays. We also have an enviable Pension Scheme and Employee Benefits platform which provides numerous discounts from your weekly shop to holidays and entertainment with salary sacrifice options on electronics, bicycles, white goods, and cars.
Development: We'll provide support and development at each stage of your journey with us. There will be opportunities for career progression both within the service but also into other areas of the organisation if you wish. There'll be time for reflection and interaction with your line manager, as well as peer support from those within the wider team.
How to apply...
Applications must be submitted online; however, please feel free to contact us for an initial informal and confidential chat - contact Antony Robinshaw, Area Transport Manager, either by telephone 01772 705055 or email antony.robinshaw@lancashire.gov.uk.
Closing Date: 21st March 2025 | Interview dates: tbc
We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.
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