Transport Administrator

Uppingham School, founded in 1584, is a leading co-educational independent boarding school. It has a strong academic profile and excellent pastoral care with an international reputation, and state-of-the-art science, sports, and music facilities. Its 840 pupils, aged 13-18, are accommodated in 15 boarding houses, taught by over 20 academic departments, and participate in numerous extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, and drama. The academic programme is supported by business units responsible for marketing, estates, finance, HR, IT, operations (catering, cleaning, and procurement), health and safety, and the School’s trading subsidiary.

In term-time (about 32 weeks each year) the School operates seven days per week. In the Easter and summer months it operates a commercial lettings business. The School employs c. 600 full-time and part-time staff in about 40 different professions, among whom the teachers report to the Headmaster and the business support staff to the Bursar. The School is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity and governed by 20 voluntary Trustees who are responsible for guiding the Headmaster and Bursar in matters of governance and strategy.

Uppingham is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcomes applications from anyone who feels they could fulfil the role.

Job purpose

• To support the accurate and efficient management of the School’s vehicle fleet and home-to-School bus service.
• Coordinating all elements of the vehicle fleet, including documentation and reporting.
• Liaising with parents, school staff, and transport providers to ensure smooth operations.
• Coordinating and handling inquiries and resolving issues related to school transport.

Your duties

• Fleet maintenance: Coordinating booking of repairs, checks and MOT’s.
• Coordinating the relevant vehicle permits are secured in good time and maintained.
• Scheduling and Planning: assigning drivers as needed.
• Finance: processing purchases, and administering payments.
• Compliance: Ensuring all transportation activities comply with relevant regulations and School policies.
• Coordination: Mediating between managers, drivers, and other departments to optimise transportation services.
• Customer Service: Handling parent and School queries and escalating serious complaints to management.
• Monitoring: Tracking drivers’ logbook entries and performing payroll administration. Monitoring that driver training and performance is in line with School expectations.
• Delegate for the Transport Logistics Manager as required.

These responsibilities require good organisational skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. Driving may also be an occasional requirement.

Qualifications:

• GCSEs in English and Maths, or equivalent.

Experience:

• Experience in an educational setting (desirable)

Skills:

• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong IT skills including scrutiny and analysis of data
• Proficiency in using administrative and transport management software.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Additional Requirements:

• A full UK driving licence.

Personal qualities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills at all levels of the organisation
• Attention to detail
• Quick learner
• Positive, ‘can-do’ and forward-looking attitude, and able to work in a busy environment.
• Diplomacy and a sense of humour

Terms and conditions

Working hours: 15 hours per week, 32 weeks per year termtime. Flexible, preferably late morning or afternoons. Typically working afternoons as agreed.
Salary: £6,842.50 per annum (FTE £27,425.8)
Probation period: 6 months
Holidays: The annual holiday entitlement is all Uppingham School holidays, except for the four additional weeks out of term time you are required to work. Public holidays in term time are normal working days; a day off in lieu is given at another time.

Benefits:

• Pension scheme Defined contribution scheme: employee contribution matched by School by factor of two, up to 10% maximum.
• Benefits 50% Contribution towards premiums for the School’s private health scheme
• Discount on School fees
• Discount at a local nursery in Uppingham
• 25% Discount on holiday club fees for children of Uppingham or Maidwell Hall staff
• Westfield healthcare
• Westfield Rewards which gives discounts at various retailers, gyms, cinemas, and restaurants
• Contributory pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• In house Occupational Health Service
• Membership to dual-use Sports Centre (with a £25 annual joining fee)
• Free staff lunches during term-time
• Free annual Flu vaccinations
• Complimentary staff ticket for select School performances
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Recognised as a “Disability Confident” employer
• Recognised as a “Mindful” employer
• Recognised as “Investors in Diversity”