Fast Track Operations Manager
2 year Fixed Term Contract
£40,000 - £47,500 - Manchester
Hybrid working with increased office presence at peak times.
Start date for this Fast-Tracked Leadership programme for Operations Manager will be January 20th, 2025.
Imagine leading a team where you will shape the future of education. Are you ready to drive change and make a real impact?
With your experience as a People Leader in a complex environment, you will picture yourself at the heart of our operations, developing your leadership skills whilst overseeing a variety of teams through the meticulous journey of exam delivery.
Join our tailor-made fast-track development program, experience in the Education sector is not essential.
Programme details:
As an Operations Manager on a Fast-Tracked Leadership programme , you will immerse yourself in three 8-month placements, each designed to challenge and grow your leadership capabilities. Reporting to senior operations leaders, you will manage diverse teams, oversee the exam process, and ensure seamless operations throughout the year including peak periods (where onsite presence will increase). Your expertise in operational leadership and your drive for excellence will be pivotal in upholding our commitment to never let a learner down. You will also be given the opportunity to be part of a bespoke leadership development programme, where you will gain a qualification from Manchester Business School, accredited with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), supported by qualified coaches and internal mentors.
You will inspire and develop your team, fostering a culture that challenges the status quo, influence without authority and drives continuous improvement. With a focus on delivering high performance, you'll set ambitious goals, manage resources efficiently, and oversee your section of operations, ensuring every exam paper is processed and all results are issued on time. Adaptability is key, as you will be leading teams across different shifts during our busiest seasons.
What's in it for you?
- Development Programme: An accredited bespoke leadership development programme in partnership with the Manchester Business School. During which time you will undertake 3 x 8-month placements across our Operations function and at the end the expectation will be that you will want to apply for a permanent role within Operations or beyond to fulfil your potential of a long-term senior career at AQA, utilising the learning from your leadership qualification.
- Generous Leave: Start with 25 days of annual leave, growing to 30 days, plus additional Christmas, and New Year's leave.
- Volunteer Time: Take up to 5 paid volunteering days for charities close to your heart.
- Health Coverage: Enjoy private medical insurance through Bupa, covering all conditions from day one.
- Wellbeing Support: Access the cycle-to-work scheme, gym discounts, and mental health resources.
- Pension: Benefit from up to 11.5% employer pension contributions.
- Flexible Work: Enjoy a balanced 35-hour workweek with flexible hours and smart working tools, with an expectation of increased presence in the office during peak.
Landscape:
You will be at the heart of delivering A-Level and GCSE qualifications for thousands of learners each year. Being fully responsible for the quality of results through the full end-to-end process means you will work and learn together to focus on continuous improvement. These processes range from receiving exam entries, printing and distributing question papers, scanning and marking completed examination scripts through to issuing results and dealing with post-results queries. Our teams in Milton Keynes also provide electronic script marking services to other customers in the UK and overseas.
What you need to succeed
- A solid background in operational leadership, with experience in developing and coaching high-performing teams.
- Demonstrable experience in leading and embedding successful change and transformation programmes in an operational environment.
- You'll deliver the organization's strategy through setting measurable activities, setting clear goals and expectations for your team.
- Adaptability to immerse yourself, learn, ask questions, and rotate around the business.
- Constructively challenge, influence, and support your team and stakeholders.
- Results-focused approach that enables pragmatic decisions and delivery at pace.
- A keen eye for data and trend analysis will help you drive your department forward.
- Commitment to customer excellence will ensure you consistently deliver outstanding outcomes.
- Being a champion of operational excellence, you'll foster a collaborative spirit and relentlessly seek opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Commercial awareness and sound financial planning skills are essential.
- Degree level or equivalent Apprenticeship or Military education and at least two years of experience in an operational leadership role.
Manchester candidates: We operate a smart working model where approximately 2 / 3 days per week will be spent in the office, however in some of your rotations and during peak periods within the Operations calender there will be a requirement for 5 days per week onsite and your flexibility is required and will be discussed in agreement with your rotation line manager. Parking is available in our Milton Keynes offices. Working longer hours during peak periods may make you eligible for overtime payments. Occasional travel to other AQA offices will form part of the role.
Ready to Make a Difference? Seize this opportunity to lead and innovate at AQA. Apply today and start your journey to transform educational operations.
What do I do next?
Apply now by sending your CV and a supporting statement outlining your motivation and transferable skills by visiting our website.
Closing date for applications Thursday 15th August 2024
The selection process:
Pre-screening Video interview at the end of August, followed by a first stage online panel interview to take place in early to mid September with final face to face interviews held onsite week commencing 7th October 2024.
Equal Opportunities
AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, military background or any other aspect which makes people unique.
Our charitable purpose:
To advance education by enabling teachers and students to realise their potential. This is our 'higher' purpose and ambition that encompasses everything we do, it's what we are passionate about, what inspires us and what makes a difference to all our customers, stakeholders and society.
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