School Transport Manager

About the Role

Bus Éireann, Ireland's National Bus Company, is seeking a highly organised and dedicated School Transport Manager based in Limerick to oversee the provision of dependable and secure school transport services. This key leadership role involves ensuring compliance with daily service level agreements, managing the training and development of staff across clerical, supervisory, and driving roles, while optimizing operational workflows for a smooth transportation system serving school communities.

Reporting to the Senior Schools Manager, the role supervises the School Transport Offices in Limerick, combining strong leadership and strategic planning to maximize resource efficiency, drive value for money, and maintain effective communication with schools, contractors, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure daily delivery of safe and timely school transport services in line with service level agreements.
• Oversee training and development of clerical, supervisory, and driving staff within local school transport offices.
• Conduct performance reviews (GPS) for clerical and supervisory personnel according to company policies and deadlines.
• Manage school supervisors' roles including task allocation and decision-making support.
• Assist and administer procurement of school transport services following policies, including negotiation and contract signing.
• Provide operational data for reports requested by Schools management, Parliamentary Questions, and Department of Education within given timeframes.
• Maintain accuracy of operational data in the Trapeze system including pupil numbers, contract details, rates, and kilometers.
• Timely processing of school transport applications, ensuring sanctions for expenditure particularly for Special Educational Needs (SEN) and mainstream applications.
• Ensure achievement of national vehicle inspection targets annually.
• Adhere strictly to Bus Éireann policies concerning GDPR, procurement, child safeguarding, safety, compliance, and remote/hybrid working arrangements.
• Optimise network planning and resource utilisation to deliver value for money for the Department of Education.
• Respond promptly to queries from external partners such as contractors, public representatives, schools, and the general public.
• Ensure contractors' vehicle, driver, and vetting documentation comply with legislation and key performance indicators.
• Implement safety management systems effectively including investigation and follow up of accidents/incidents and mandatory supervisor route checks.
• Maintain controls over contractor account setups, authorizations, refunds, and support internal audits as required.
• Support school management and IT in implementing new work processes aligned with technology transformation initiatives.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Senior Management Team.

Performance Indicators

• Achieve daily delivery of over 98% of school transport services.
• Complete 100% staff performance reviews within mid-year and year-end deadlines.
• Assist with preparing 20% of routes for a five-year tender process alongside Procurement, with one-year contracts procured according to guidelines.
• Monitor changes to daily costs and monthly operating expenses periodically.
• Ensure all contractors operating school transport have signed contracts, reviewed and updated annually.
• Maintain full compliance with legislative requirements including 100% driver vetting and three-year re-vetting schedules.
• Ensure full compliance with supervisor checks and contractor documentation use, including Power BI reporting.
• Implement all company policies and procedures diligently.
• Report accidents and incidents promptly with thorough follow-up investigations.
• Respond to customer queries within five working days, aiming for 90% customer satisfaction.
• Conduct annual reviews of loadings and routes to optimize resource use.
• Periodically review data quality reports in the Trapeze system.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience managing, supporting, and mentoring staff.
• Experience working in school transport operations.
• Proficiency with the School Transport Trapeze System.
• Sound knowledge of all school transport schemes, relevant regulations, and legislative requirements.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Understanding of school transport procurement processes and guidelines.

Desirable Skills

• Expertise in route and network planning.
• Strong administrative capabilities.
• Familiarity with budget management and financial oversight.

Behavioural Competencies

• Customer Focus: Actively listen and respond to customer and stakeholder needs, champion problem-solving, and encourage continuous improvement.
• Safety: Commit to safety standards, risk management, emergency readiness, and establishing a safety-centered workplace culture.
• Collaboration: Promote inclusivity, diverse perspectives, and open communication to foster teamwork and sound decision-making.
• Versatility: Adapt to change with resilience and innovation, enhance processes proactively, and embrace new technologies and approaches.
• Driving Results: Maintain focus on objectives through planning, execution, problem-solving, and personal accountability.
• Sustainable Practice: Uphold environmental and social responsibility through ethical service delivery, sustainable operations, and awareness of industry best practices.

Benefits

• Permanent contract.
• Starting annual leave of 25 days increasing to 28 after five years of service.
• Subsidised GP healthcare scheme extending to partner and dependents up to 16 years old.
• Travel concessions on company services for employees and dependents.
• Residential travel allowances to and from the workplace.
• Participation in pension and welfare schemes.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
• Parking facilities on site subject to location.
• On-site gym access (location dependent).
• Study support schemes.
• Subsidised staff canteen availability (location dependent).