Travel Commissioning Manager

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.

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…