• Job Description

  Req#: R5649

  At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

  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 tailormade 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, utilizing 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 a proven track record 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.

  #CRE23

  Recruitment Agencies

  We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

  Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

  Full Job Description

  Summary

  The Operations Manager (Fast-track development) is a forward thinking experienced leader who is passionate about driving AQA forward to achieve success. The role holder will be responsible for leading an established operational delivery team day to day ensuring they achieve high performance and achieve excellent results throughout the end to end exam series delivery. They will be accountable for coaching, supporting, developing their team and creating an environment where everyone knows their contribution and feels valued. The role holder will be an enthusiastic experienced leader who has a track record of not being afraid to challenge the ‘status quo’ in order to drive continuous improvement across the department whilst maintaining series delivery standards ensuring we never let a learner down.Landscape:
  Sponsored by the Director of Operations and supported the Head of Operational Delivery the scheme will be made up of 3 x 8 month placements in established operational roles.
  The role holder will report directly into the relevant ‘Head of’ department for their placement alongside being supported with mentorship from senior leaders across AQA.
  Sitting within the Operations division and accountable for ensuring candidates exam papers are processed, marked and results issued. Specific objectives and role requirements will be issued with each placement.
  Responsible for day to day leadership of a team of permanent employee’s and temporary seasonal employee’s, varying in size and varying in operational roles depending on the placement.
  Operating in a regulated environment, this role is subject to close scrutiny and must adhere to the Ofqual conditions of recognition. The role holder will regularly be required to provide assurance and updates to Director level.
  Working towards immovable deadlines of exam results days where they will play a significant contribution to having all papers processed, marked and results issued on time.
  
  Activities:
  Provide strong role modelling of AQA Leadership style and values. Getting the very best from direct reports and teams by providing clarity, feedback, coaching and development, while continuously seeking to enhance performance in line with strategic objectives.
  Ensure high levels of motivation across the department, particularly in periods of significant and stretching delivery targets during peak summer period. Driving performance through clear accountability and ensuring the maximum development of skills and capabilities within the team and creating development opportunities for people across the wider team.
  Promote a culture that challenges the ‘status quo’ and encourages excellence, driving continuous improvement across the relevant department. Also working collaboratively with other areas across AQA.
  Set ambitious goals for self and team, clearly defining accountabilities and responsibilities of operational delivery, whilst seeking opportunities to deliver above expectations.
  Decision making accountability; Able to deal with a wide range of competing priorities and business requirements. Assessing risks and making decisions based on clear understanding of issues from several perspectives and sources often with limited time and information on which to base a decision.
  Forecast, plan and deliver all activities required to ensure the successful delivery of the department, maintaining clear communication with all key stakeholders throughout. Including planning and managing spending on people resources and direct costs throughout the year, delivering to financial targets.
  Where required manage third party, productivity and behaviours to ensure successful delivery to schedule and quality targets.
  Proactively drive own development, setting clear, challenging development goals with clear actions to success.
  Advocate for customers by proactively identifying opportunities to improve the experience for our customers and drive change across operations.
  Build and maintain string relationships across Operations, the Chief Operating Office and wider AQA to build trust and achieve maximum success.
  Exemplify AQA values and behaviours in order to put customers first and set the standard for the wider team.
  Directly or indirectly support the overall business strategy including specific programmes of work that will underpin this.
  Ensures AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements including but not limited to HSE, GDPR, Equal Opportunities, EDI and ISMS.
  
  
  To be successful in this role, you will need to be:
  
  A credible operational leader with experience of developing high performing teams with tight delivery timeframes
  People focussed leader with excellent people and communication skills including experience of coaching, developing and nurturing their team to success.
  Flexible, adaptable and able to adapt to new departments hitting the ground running
  Results focused: make pragmatic decisions and deliver at pace.
  Skilled in defining and interpreting data requirements, analysis and trends, utilising these to drive the department forward.
  Experienced in setting and delivering against demanding KPIs.
  Committed to an excellent customer focus – able to focus own, teams and others’ work to the best outcome from the customer perspective.
  Experienced in leading and embedding successful change and transformation programmes within an operational environment.
  Able to translate the strategy of the organisation into measurable activity and set clear goals and expectations amongst your teams.
  Able to change and influence the future of AQA by looking up and ahead identifying opportunities to drive improvements.
  A champion of operational excellence fostering a collaborative spirit and relentlessly seeking opportunities for continuous improvement.
  Commercially awareness to an excellent standard with knowledge of financial planning
  Educated to degree level (or equivalent) and have a minimum of two years’ experience working in an operational leadership role.

• About the company

  AQA, formerly the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, is an awarding body in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Notice