Transport Commissioner

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC625087

Salary Range: £34,273 - £37,570 per annum

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 23 October 2026

Interview Date: w/c 2 November 2026

The Role:

Joining our School Transport Service as a Transport Commissioner, you’ll help ensure that eligible students access suitable school transport efficiently and safely for Mainstream, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Post-16 years, Education Inclusion Service and Social Care settings.

In this fast-paced and demanding role you will manage a large and varied workload and identify practical solutions to complex transport challenges while ensuring value for money and delivering excellent outcomes for children and families.

What you’ll do:

• Commission school transport for mainstream, SEND, post-16 and social care children, identifying the most appropriate and cost-effective transport solutions.
• Procure and allocate transport provision, negotiate with operators, and manage capacity to ensure services meet children's needs.
• Use route planning technology to design, optimise and maintain transport routes, data and reporting information.
• Resolve complex operational issues and make informed decisions to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of transport services.
• Investigate and manage customer enquiries and complaints, delivering excellent customer service and positive outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with families, schools, transport operators and colleagues across the service.
• Act as an escalation point for operational queries, providing advice, guidance and timely solutions.
• Maintain accurate records, follow standard operating procedures, and uphold safeguarding responsibilities at all times.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience of managing complex workloads and competing priorities, making sound decisions in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify practical and cost-effective solutions.
• Experience of working with customers and stakeholders, handling complex enquiries, resolving complaints and building positive relationships.
• Confidence using IT systems and data to support decision-making, with experience of maintaining accurate records and managing information.
• Ability to interpret policies, exercise judgement and take ownership of decisions while balancing customer needs, service delivery and value for money.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with families, schools, transport providers and colleagues at all levels.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, with the confidence to follow policies and procedures, recognise concerns, take appropriate action and uphold professional standards at all times.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Transport Commissioner role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

• Work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment within a team that makes a real impact on children’s access to education.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A supportive team culture that values collaboration and innovation.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Other roles you may have experience of may include: Transport Planning Officer, Transport Programme Planner, Transport Compliance Officer, Transport Policy Officer, Associate Transport Commissioner, Transport Strategy Coordinator, Transport Operations Manager

Additional Information:

Transport Commissioner Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Allison Picton, Senior Operations Manager on allison.picton2@hants.gov.uk or Katherine Jarvie, Senior Commissioning Manager on katherine.jarvie@hants.gov.uk