• Job Description

  Req#: R4803

  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.

  Preparation and Support Manager

  Permanent

  Guildford: £35,600 - £42,600

  Smart Hybrid Working

  Are you a manager of managers who focuses on customer experience and process improvement?

  An examination series needs careful planning. We have over 36,000 teachers and subject matter experts (we call them Associates) who are in key in ensuring that exams are created, marked and moderated. As the Preparation and Support Manager, you will be responsible for planning, implementing and managing the major training events that support timely and effective marking. You will lead the development of defined training courses whilst acting as a key stakeholder for other business areas.

  To be successful in this role, you will need:

  • Understanding of relevant supply chain methodologies and best practice
  • Knowledge of best practice relating to course development, design and delivery
  • Experience of supporting the successful delivery of end-to-end business change
  • A track record in developing and delivering robust, effective departmental plans
  • Strong IT skills; proficient user of MS Office, database systems and analytical tools
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills including negotiating and influencing
  • The ability to translate a vision into achievable goals and provide clear direction to achieve organisational objectives
  • To be able to inspire and motivate team members and other colleagues, with experienced in managing teams and driving performance
  • The ability to lead by example to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders
  • Experience of coordinating training requirements, resources and events
  • Experience of developing effective support services across multiple delivery channels

  What’s in it for me?

  • This role will put you at the heart of our business driving quality and productivity
  • A real and tangible impact on the lives of students and teachers across the UK
  • A focus on personal and professional growth and development
  • A company who focus on health and wellbeing by enabling access to Private Medical Insurance and a Health Care Cash Reward Plan, Life Assurance and an employee assistance program
  • A company who invest in your future with a really strong pension offer (up to 11.5% employer contributions)
  • 25 days annual leave with bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas on top

  What Next?

  Please upload your most recent CV and a cover letter which highlights your transferable skills and motivation for this role.

  Applications will close at midnight on Tuesday 16 January with interviews planned in the newly refurbished office in the week beginning 22 January 2024

  Every application will receive a response.

  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 Preparation and Support Manager plans for, implements and manages major training events that support timely and effective marking, including seeding, standardisation, awarding and marking review. They lead the development of defined training courses whilst acting as a key stakeholder for other business areas.Landscape:
  
  This role sits in the Preparation team, a key Operational team at AQA, which has around 30 team members. You will manage a team of Co-ordinators and Team Leader(s).
  
  Key relationships: senior associates, departmental managers and coordinators, AQAMK and 3rd party suppliers Bien Venue, Krankikom, INSET online.
  
  Activities:
  Build exceptional relationships with our internal and external customers, leading the team in consistently delivering a best in class service that meets our customers’ needs.
  Take steps to ensure that our internal customers get value for money for their chosen training requirements and able to demonstrate a continuous effort to improve value for money.
  Develop a clear training plan aligned to wider product and operational plans to ensure a seamless experience for all our associates.
  Work collaboratively with subject matter experts to produce content for associates; ensuring content is on brand, accessible and appropriately targeted to the audience.
  Ensure that multiple channels and mediums exist to deliver preparation and training to associates. This should be tailored to the preference of our internal customers with contingencies to cater for additional associates requiring training at short notice.
  Develop and plan for all training to support the roll-out of electronic marking to all associates.
  Work with internal customers and senior associates to understand the requirements for each product; contribute to Operations’ reputation for being able to solve any problem.
  Own the relationship with associates at a key time for building trust; deliver on promises and strive to have associates favour AQA over other boards.
  Support and train senior associates so that they are equipped to run their own events effectively and confidently.
  Be a key on-site contributor to the relationship we have with our associates; working closely with other Operations colleagues aligned to the same products and associates.
  Champion learning and development across the team and proactively manage underperformance.
  Produce high levels of performance from direct reports and teams by modelling leadership behaviours with confidence and providing clarity, challenge, feedback, coaching and development in line with business objectives.
  Ensure AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
  Demonstrate commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level as business needs change.
  
  To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
  Understanding of relevant supply chain methodologies and best practice
  Knowledge of best practice relating to course development, design and delivery
  Broad understanding of the political, educational and business context within which AQA works
  Educated to degree level or extensive experience in a similar role
  Shape tomorrow: Develops, implements, evaluates and embeds change
  Experience of supporting the successful delivery of end-to-end business change
  Customers front and centre: Able to focus own and team’s work to the best outcome from the customer perspective
  Track record in developing and delivering robust, effective departmental plans
  Strong IT skills; proficient user of MS Office, database systems and analytical tools
  Strong communication and interpersonal skills including negotiating and influencing
  Ability to translate a vision into achievable goals and provide clear direction to achieve organisational objectives
  Work and learn together: Inspire and motivate team members and other colleagues, with experienced in managing teams and driving performance
  Ability to lead by example to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders
  Experience of supporting the delivery of new processes in advance of or part of organisational and/or technology changes
  Experience of coordinating training requirements, resources and events
  Experience of developing effective support services across multiple delivery channels
  Experience of working with leaders in education or a similar field

• About the company

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

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