Head of Compliance & Training

The Head of Compliance & Training will be responsible for ensuring Transport Made Simple operates safely, legally, and in full compliance with UK transport legislation and industry standards. The role will provide strategic leadership of our compliance, driver training, recruitment and colleague development activities, helping us to attract, train and retain competent, customer-focused and safety-conscious colleagues.

The post holder will lead our Transport Managers and our Training Team, create, implement and oversee compliance systems and ensure that all operational practices comply with the requirements of legislation, our regulatory bodies and the undertakings on our Operators' licences. The post holder will also provide operational leadership cover during periods of absence to maintain continuity of service delivery.

Transport Made Simple wishes to achieve Earned Recognition status by 2030, and the work of the post holder will be instrumental in working towards this accreditation., Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with the requirements of, and undertakings on, our Operators' licences, and all relevant transport legislation.
• Oversee adherence to DVSA guidance and Traffic Commissioner expectations and Statutory Documents.
• Maintain robust digital systems for monitoring drivers' hours, working time regulations, tachographs, vehicle maintenance, and record keeping.
• Lead an effective system of proactive internal compliance audits and ensure prompt resolution of any issues identified.
• Manage compliance reporting and maintain accurate documentation to demonstrate regulatory adherence.
• Lead investigations into compliance breaches, incidents and regulatory concerns, including creating and presenting written reports on such matters to the Senior Leadership Team / Board as required.

Training, Recruitment and Development

• Plan and evaluate our training programmes, including Driver CPC, health and safety, customer service and company policy training.
• Oversee driver competence, licence compliance, and ongoing professional development.
• Maintain accurate digital training records and ensure compliance with DVSA, DVLA, and company standards.
• Manage new colleague induction programmes to ensure recruits are fully competent before beginning independent work.
• Lead the full recruitment cycle for driving and support roles, ensuring that driver establishment is met at all depots without the need for agency labour.
• Develop innovative recruitment campaigns and maintain a strong candidate pipeline.
• Coordinate external training providers and ensure cost-effective delivery.
• Support management development and leadership training initiatives.

Leadership and Team Management

• Provide leadership, direction, and professional support to Transport Managers and the Training Team.
• Foster a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, motivate, and develop trainers, examiners, and recruitment colleagues.
• Ensure all compliance-related training requirements are identified, scheduled, and delivered effectively.
• Support line managers in identifying and addressing colleague performance and training needs.

Operational Support

• Work closely with the Group Operations Director and Operations Managers to ensure operational practices remain compliant.
• Provide operational leadership cover during periods of leave or absence.
• Support the efficient delivery of safe, reliable, high quality local bus services.
• Assist with operational planning and service delivery during disruption or staff shortages.

Performance, Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Analyse compliance and training data to identify risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement compliance policies, procedures, and systems.
• Conduct audits and spot checks to maintain high training and safety standards.
• Provide regular reports to senior management on compliance, training outcomes, recruitment performance, and development initiatives.
• Lead initiatives that enhance safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory performance.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to be part of a fast-growing, digital first business
• Flat organisational structure with minimal corporate bureaucracy
• Apple iPhone and Macbook provided for work and personal use

We also offer all of our colleagues a range of workplace benefits, including free travel across the Central Connect bus network and other participating local bus operators, discounted day trips, holidays, coach hire and garage services / MOTs, free on-site parking and tea and coffee and free uniform and PPE.

Do you have a valid Driving License license?, Do you have experience in Training & development?, Essential

• PSV Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence
• At least one year as a nominated Transport Manager within a PSV operation
• Significant managerial experience within the bus or coach industry or other road passenger transport roles
• Strong knowledge of Operator Licence compliance requirements
• In-depth understanding of drivers' hours, working time rules, and tachograph legislation
• Proven leadership experience managing operational, compliance, or training teams
• Experience in training or HR management within transport or logistics
• Ability to interpret legislation and implement practical compliance systems
• Strong communication, presentation, and organisational skills
• Full UK car driving licence

Desirable

• Experience in training within transport or logistics.
• Experience managing apprenticeship or professional development programmes.
• Experience dealing with regulatory bodies and audits.
• PCV licence.

We are looking for someone who:

• Can demonstrate an aptitude for leadership and team development
• Has regulatory awareness and excellent attention to detail
• Is a creative problem solver and confident decision-maker
• Has the ability to influence and promote a culture of compliance, safety, and continuous improvement
• Is an excellent leader, and genuinely colleague and customer focused
• Is experienced in designing, implementing and then monitoring and improving systems and processes
• Is highly proficient in using IT and computers, including learning new / bespoke systems

Postholders who join the business without a PSV driving licence will have the opportunity to complete this qualification whilst employed by us. We are committed to investing in our colleagues and will provide other training and development opportunities, including refresher training for relevant qualifications, during your employment., * Transport Manager: 1 year (required)

• Bus & Coach industry : 1 year (required)
• Training & development: 1 year (required)
• HR : 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)
• PSV Licence (preferred)

Pulled from the full job description

• Free or subsidised travel
• Shuttle service provided
• Free parking
• On-site parking

 

Full job description

• Head of Compliance & Training
• Based in East Anglia (with travel across various company sites)
• Full time
• Salary £60,000 to £65,000, * Free or subsidised travel
• Free parking
• On-site parking

The Transport Made Simple Group is one of the UK's largest independently owned bus and coach operators. Our vision is to deliver reliable, sustainable public transport, which meets the needs of the communities we serve, whilst being a great place to work too. Everything we do is underpinned by our four values of Growth, Excellence, Integrity and Efficiency, which guide our day-to-day operations and longer-term decision-making. We're a team of 800 colleagues, with a fleet of 400 buses, coaches and minibuses, and we operate from a strategic network of depots across East Anglia, the Midlands and Greater London. Our Central Connect local bus network has an annual ridership of more than 10 million passengers, delivered in partnership with sixteen Local Transport Authorities. Alongside running local bus services, we provide home-to-school, rail replacement and Demand Responsive Transport services, operate corporate and event shuttle buses and run our own programme of holidays and day trips. We also hire out our buses and coaches to a range of clients, from schools, colleges and local businesses to major names in the travel and tourism industry, such as Leger Holidays, Flixbus and PGL. Our solutions go beyond moving people - we also support commercial fleet operators across East Anglia with reactive and pre-planned maintenance solutions from our accredited workshops, offering heavy and light vehicle MOTs, bodywork repairs and resprays, heavy recovery and breakdown response, including 24/7/365 roadside tyre assistance provided by sister company Lion Tyres Essex.