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- Tasks: Lead the commissioning and planning of safe, efficient travel solutions for communities.
- Company: Join Oxfordshire County Council's Supported Travel Service and make a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and great learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Drive meaningful change and empower independence in travel services.
- Qualifications: Management credentials and experience in local authority settings required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on continuous development and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
At Oxfordshire County Council (OCC), our Supported Travel Service plays a vital role in keeping communities across the county connected, independent and involved. The service supports journeys and travel for residents using a blend of in-house and contracted vehicles, delivering a wide range of safe, efficient and reliable travel solutions including home-to-school and SEND transport, independent travel training, personal travel budgets, community and public transport schemes, and essential journeys for children’s and adults’ social care. Our core commitment is to provide alternative, safe and efficient travel solutions that empower people of all ages to access education, care, and social opportunities. Safeguarding is central to our mission, with journeys underpinned by robust assurance, professional training and a culture of dignity and respect. Through practical, community-centred solutions, our service ensures residents can travel confidently and safely, whatever their needs. This is an exciting time to join the team as we shape and embed new ways of working to support high-quality supported travel services.
What You’ll Do
As Travel Commissioning Manager in our Supported Travel Service, you will lead the commissioning, planning and strategic development of travel solutions across Home to School Travel and Adult Social Care Travel, ensuring journeys are safe, efficient and cost-effective. You will spearhead the commissioning of travel services, working with internal stakeholders and external providers to create innovative, person-centred solutions that empower independence and follow the hierarchy of travel in our travel and transport policies.
Your remit includes leading and managing a team of Travel Assessment Officers and Transport Coordinators, developing robust travel assessment practices, effective route planning, comprehensive risk assessments, and responsive service delivery for children, young people and adults with care and support needs. You will ensure travel services are safe, efficient, person-centred, and compliant with statutory and operational requirements, while adhering to legal obligations, policy frameworks and budgetary constraints.
You will work in close partnership with the Transport Operations Manager to optimise in-house transport provision and align it with commissioned services. You will also collaborate with the Contracts and Compliance Manager to ensure providers meet contractual, safeguarding, quality and financial requirements. These collaborative efforts sustain operational readiness, drive service enhancements, and deliver cohesive travel solutions for residents across Oxfordshire.
This role requires strategic leadership, sharp analytical skills and the ability to translate policy into practical, impactful operations. You will contribute to transformation programmes and service improvement projects using data, insight and strategic thinking to deliver sustainable, inclusive and best-value travel services. You will also support the Strategic Supported Travel Operations Manager with long-term strategic planning to ensure services are sustainable and deliver value for investment.
If you’re passionate about delivering positive change, this role provides an opportunity to drive meaningful improvements and influence sustainable and inclusive travel services. You will work with a dedicated team that prioritises continuous development and robust stakeholder engagement to deliver accessible, efficient, and high-quality travel solutions throughout Oxfordshire.
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Manage the Travel Commissioning area to deliver services in line with organisational priorities
- Review and monitor service delivery performance, using data and feedback to drive improvements
- Ensure full compliance with safeguarding, health and safety standards, as well as all relevant transport and travel regulations
- Support and lead continuous improvement initiatives and projects
- Conduct statutory travel assessments and communicate decisions to families, educational institutions, and stakeholders
- Provide expert advice and input for decision-making, policy development, and service enhancements
- Work closely with the Contracts & Compliance Manager and Fleet Manager to address operational risks and issues related to service delivery, contracts, and fleet operations
What You’ll Bring
- Professional Qualifications: Holds relevant management credentials (such as CIPS, ILM, or CMI).
- Sector Experience: Demonstrates experience working within local authority or council settings, with a focus on Home to School Travel Assistance and Adult Social Care Transport.
- Strong leadership and people-management capabilities.
- Exceptional communication skills, particularly in engagements with families, schools, and partner services.
- Comfort managing complex cases, sensitive discussions, and competing priorities.
- Proficiency in using data analytics to inform decision-making and drive service improvement.
- Experience fostering collaborative relationships across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Adaptability to flexibly respond to evolving service requirements, policies, and legislative changes.
- Strong communication, negotiation and decision-making skills in a collaborative, solution-oriented approach.
- Experience implementing service and systems enhancements.
- Experience in strategic planning, development and delivery of travel or transport solutions aligned with statutory and operational frameworks.
- Demonstrated leadership in managing and developing teams, with emphasis on commissioning and coordinating services.
- Skilled in implementing travel assessment processes and communicating effectively with families, educational institutions, and stakeholders.
What You Can Look Forward To
- Hybrid working. Flexible approach to suit individuals and teams (team-specific info to be discussed at interviews).
- Culture of flexible working
- Great learning and development opportunities
- Technology to support agile working with access to Copilot for productivity
- Employee Assistance Programme with health and wellbeing support
- Generous annual leave—up to 30 days plus
Travel Commissioning Manager in London employer: Oxfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Oxfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Travel Commissioning Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the travel and transport sector, especially those connected to local authorities. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in supported travel services. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to innovative, person-centred solutions that empower independence—just like we do at StudySmarter!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight your ability to drive service improvements and ensure compliance with regulations—key aspects for the Travel Commissioning Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to deliver high-quality travel solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Travel Commissioning Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Travel Commissioning Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in local authority settings.
Be Data-Driven: We love candidates who can use data to drive improvements. Include any relevant experience you have with data analytics and how it has informed your decision-making in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Travel Commissioning Manager. Familiarise yourself with the specifics of home-to-school travel and adult social care transport. Being able to discuss these areas confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in managing complex cases and fostering collaboration among multi-disciplinary teams. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in this role.
✨Data is Your Friend
Brush up on your data analytics skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decision-making and drive service improvements. This is crucial for ensuring safe and efficient travel solutions, so come prepared with specific examples.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would communicate with families, schools, and partner services. Prepare to discuss your approach to sensitive discussions and how you manage competing priorities. Showing that you can engage effectively with stakeholders will set you apart.
