Parking and Travel Operations Manager in Ashford

2gether Support Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, providing Facilities and Estates services to the Trust's staff, patients and visitors across 5 hospital sites in east Kent. 2gether provides a full range of vital support services including car parking, logistics, laundry, building maintenance, engineering, cleaning, catering and much more. We have an exciting opportunity to join us as a Parking & Travel Operations Manager, on a full time, permanent basis.

The Parking and Travel Operations Manager is accountable for all operational aspects of parking and travel services across five hospital sites within the Trust, ensuring safe, high quality facilities are provided for over 7,500 car park users each day (staff, patients and visitors). The role is operationally responsible for supporting over £5m of annual revenue for the Trust through optimisation of staff resources and parking equipment ensuring compliance with a complex range of legislation, BPA accreditation, DVLA licensing, and local policies. The service operates 24/7/365 with exceptionally high levels of demand and often in a challenging business continuity status where daily demand for parking outstrips supply of spaces.

The job holder will lead on complaint resolution as well as FOI requests and data analysis around the car parking service. As the recognised professional specialist in parking and travel matters, the job holder will provide expert advice at both a strategic and local level including as a key stakeholder in the Trust's multi-million £ capital works programme as well as developing and overseeing a rolling programme of car park repairs and improvements. The role operates across the Trust, with team members based at each of the main sites. The job holder will be required to travel frequently between sites and thus access to their own vehicle and a clean UK driving licence is essential. The job holder will be based at one of the main sites (Ashford, Canterbury or Margate), to be agreed upon appointment.

Key Responsibilities

• Line manage the site-based Parking team ensuring resources are rostered and deployed appropriately to provide a high quality, courteous and professional service to all car park users.
• Develop and lead on a rolling programme to create annual investment of > £0.5m in car park and external environment improvements and essential maintenance.
• Investigate and respond sensitively to H&S incidents, escalated complaints and complex enquiries, including those received via PALS and from the Chief Executive's office.
• Drive continuous service improvements and embed a right first time culture through analysis of system generated data and local data sources.
• Conduct regular comprehensive site audits ensuring all aspects of the end to end parking service are regularly assessed with remedial actions implemented.
• Support local sustainability projects and NHS Net Zero helping to develop travel initiatives which assist BREEAM Certification in support of planning applications for Capital Works programmes.
• Ensure up to date and comprehensive knowledge of parking legislation, procedures, and industry developments to ensure full regulatory compliance.
• Ensure enforcement activity is undertaken sensitively, and in line with policy and legislation.

What We're Looking For

• Excellent communication skills are essential, along with an empathic approach to resolving complaints and a strong desire to implement learning from all such events.
• Experience in client/stakeholder relationship management with excellent interpersonal skills together with effective influencing ability and the confidence to challenge constructively.
• Able to work on own initiative, motivate others, manage a multi-site remote workforce, and crucially be a problem solver able to think on feet and respond dynamically to situations.
• Knowledge of UK private parking regulations and BPA code of practice, with 2+ years experience within a large complex organisation, preferably in healthcare or parking sectors.
• Educated to, or willing to work towards, City & Guilds Level 4 foundation degree or Higher National Diploma, or extensive equivalent and proven workplace experience.
• Project management skills and experience of implementing change as well as budget and resource management are beneficial.

Why work with us?

• Generous annual leave allowance plus the opportunity to buy or sell leave.
• Company Pension.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistant Programme with Health Assured.

We offer discounts and savings that make a difference to you including:

• Discounted travel, accommodation, airport parking, holidays, skiing and travel extras.
• Subsidised bus pass.
• Health and beauty, gifts, toys, fashion and entertainment.
• Training and development opportunities.

Social values are at the core of 2gether Support Solutions. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that truly represents our local communities. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage and support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond, ensuring equal opportunities for all.