Head of Service - Travel Assistance

Connect2Luton are recruiting a Head of Service - Travel Assistance on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced senior leader to take strategic responsibility for Luton Borough Council's Travel Assistance Service.

Reporting to the Director of Education and forming part of the Education Senior Leadership Team, you will lead a large, complex statutory service responsible for SEND travel assistance, home-to-school transport, post-16 transport, transport for children in care, adult social care transport and internal fleet operations.

This is a high-profile leadership role with responsibility for service transformation, commissioning, statutory compliance, contract management, safeguarding, and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for the Council's Travel Assistance Service. Lead the delivery of safe, compliant and cost-effective transport services for children, young people and adults. Oversee SEND transport, home-to-school transport, post-16 transport, children in care transport and commissioned adult social care transport. Manage significant budgets, financial forecasting, savings programmes and demand-led service pressures. Lead commissioning, procurement and contract management of external transport providers. Develop and implement service improvements that enhance outcomes, deliver value for money and support sustainability. Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, safeguarding responsibilities, health and safety legislation and Council policies. Build strong partnerships with schools, colleges, transport providers, elected members and regional stakeholders. Provide strategic advice and reports to senior leaders, Members, Executive Boards and Scrutiny Committees.

Essential Experience:

Significant senior management experience leading complex public sector, statutory or regulated services. Proven experience of service transformation, organisational change and performance improvement. Experience managing large budgets, savings programmes and financial planning. Strong commissioning, procurement and contract management experience. Experience advising senior leaders, elected members and governance boards. Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to manage risk, make complex decisions and operate within a politically sensitive environment.

Desirable Experience:

Experience within travel assistance, passenger transport, SEND transport, education, social care or a comparable service area. Knowledge of home-to-school transport legislation and SEND travel assistance. Experience working within Local Government. Relevant leadership, management, procurement, transport or project management qualification.

About You

You will be a strategic and collaborative leader with a track record of delivering change, managing complex operational services and improving outcomes for residents. You will be confident working at senior level, leading large teams and managing significant budgets while ensuring services remain compliant, efficient and customer-focused.

About Us

Connect2Luton is the managed recruitment service for Luton Borough Council, providing temporary, contract and interim staffing solutions across the organisation.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates