Service Manager - Fleet and Transport

As Service Manager for Fleet and Transport, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the full fleet portfolio - driving regulatory compliance, improving performance, modernising fleet operations, supporting decarbonisation and ensuring that Council vehicles, equipment and transport arrangements deliver exceptional value for money. What you will get to do In this senior leadership role, you will:

• Lead and manage the Council's fleet operation, ensuring full compliance with the Operator's Licence, transport legislation, regulatory requirements and insurance standards.
• Oversee fleet maintenance, inspections, testing and availability of vehicles, plant and equipment, ensuring optimum performance and safety at all times.
• Manage and develop the MOT testing facility, ensuring compliance for the Council fleet and delivering a commercial MOT offer for external users including licensed taxis.
• Provide expert advice across the Council on vehicle and transport options, statutory and regulatory requirements and cost-effective solutions including home-to-school and SEND transport needs.
• Lead fleet procurement activity, producing business cases, determining leasing or purchase options, and managing key contracts to ensure compliance and best-value performance.
• Manage fleet and transport contracts, ensuring compliance, performance standards and effective use of resources.
• Manage the Council's Co-Wheels car-share scheme, ensuring high utilisation, improved efficiency and demonstrable value for money.
• Lead the development and expansion of electric vehicle (EV) use, securing funding opportunities and supporting EV charging infrastructure across the fleet.
• Implement robust performance management arrangements, including data capture, analysis, benchmarking, audit and reporting on utilisation, emissions, costs and other operational KPIs.
• Develop a business partner and cost-centre fleet management model to strengthen governance, accountability and financial transparency across all services.
• Manage the fleet improvement plan, ensuring delivery of agreed actions, effective risk escalation, progress reporting and continuous service development.
• Provide assurance to senior managers and Members through high-quality reports and briefings on fleet performance, compliance, value for money and efficiency.
• Lead service improvement through system and process reviews, customer feedback, data-driven decision-making and evidence-based changes to enhance productivity and value for money.
• Support emergency planning requirements relevant to fleet and transport services.
  
  Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Transport Management.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• Strong knowledge of fleet and transport service delivery, statutory compliance and regulatory standards.
• Significant experience managing complex income and expenditure budgets within a regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of health and safety policy and practice, with evidence of driving performance improvement.
• Excellent communication, influencing and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to engage colleagues, Members, partners and service users effectively.
• Ability to analyse and use data to improve systems, processes, productivity and value for money.
  
  Do you want to lead the fleet and transport services that keep our borough moving, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient vehicles that support frontline services across Gateshead?
If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match. These roles form part of a wider organisational redesign to ensure the Council is structured to deliver high-quality, efficient and sustainable services for the people of Gateshead. This reflects our ongoing work to modernise how we operate, strengthen accountability and ensure we are well positioned to meet future service demands, while continuing to put residents at the heart of everything we do and enabling everyone in our borough to thrive. We're delighted that you're interested in working with us. You'd be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council, you'll be a highly valued member of a team that recognises your skills, encourages creativity and champions a healthy work/life balance. With flexible and hybrid working options and a strong employee benefits package, we're confident it isn't just the salary that attracts our staff. Supporting services that make a difference to our communities Our Fleet and Transport Service underpins the delivery of essential frontline activity across the borough - from waste and recycling collections, environmental services and community protection to home-to-school transport, SEND support, and wider operational needs. A safe, compliant, reliable and cost-effective fleet is critical to sustaining these services every day.


• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don't just offer a great salary - we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions - a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services - plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).