Operations Manager - Leadership Fast Track
2-year Fixed Term Contract
£42,000 - £49,750 - Milton Keynes

Onsite with flexibility for remote working outside of peak periods
Start Date: January 20th, 2025

Are you ready to lead with purpose and help shape the future of education? Join our team as a Fast Track Operations Manager, where your leadership will make a real difference. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and encourage women, people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, and those from underrepresented groups to apply.

About Us:

AQA is the UK's leading provider of GCSEs and A-levels, delivering qualifications that are valued by teachers, learners, and employers. We are dedicated to ensuring fairness and accuracy in assessment, helping students to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. As a trusted name in education, we believe that our workforce should reflect the diversity of the students and communities we serve. That's why we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

Programme Overview:
As part of our Fast-Track Leadership Programme, you will rotate through three 8-month placements, designed to enhance your leadership

capabilities and operational expertise. Reporting to senior operations leaders, you'll lead diverse teams, manage key operational processes, and ensure the smooth delivery of exams.

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture where you can grow and thrive. You'll receive support through a bespoke leadership development programme, including mentoring and a qualification from Manchester Business School accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

What You'll Be Doing:

• Leading and nurturing diverse teams, ensuring a culture of respect, inclusion, and high performance.
• Managing end-to-end exam delivery, ensuring the success of thousands of learners.
• Driving improvements and encouraging innovation across teams, while promoting collaboration.
• Developing your leadership skills through structured mentoring and accredited learning opportunities.
• Supporting continuous improvement by fostering a culture of learning, adaptability, and teamwork.
• Balancing flexibility and team presence by being onsite during peak periods, while enjoying flexibility during non-peak times.

What's in it for you?

• Leadership Development: Gain an accredited leadership qualification from Manchester Business School (CMI) and fast-track your career.
• Inclusive Culture: Be part of an organisation that values diversity and supports people from all backgrounds to thrive and excel.
• Generous Leave: Start with 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus Christmas and New Year leave.
• Volunteer Days: Up to 5 paid days to support causes important to you.
• Wellbeing: Internal inclusive networking groups, Private medical insurance from day one, mental health support, cycle-to-work schemes, and gym discounts.
• Pension: Employer contributions up to 11.5%.
• Work-Life Balance: A 35-hour workweek with flexibility, especially during non-peak periods.

What You Bring to the Role:
We are looking for individuals with a variety of experiences and backgrounds who bring the following essential qualities:

• Proven experience in leading teams of people, with a focus on developing and empowering others to perform at their best.
• Demonstrable evidence of studying for a professional qualification whilst in the workplace or a degree-level qualification or equivalent.
• A collaborative, supportive approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• The ability to drive change and innovation while ensuring high-quality outcomes.
• A strong focus on delivering the best possible outcomes for learners.
• A commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in a dynamic environment.

Location and Flexibility:
You'll be based in our Milton Keynes office, with flexibility for remote working outside of peak periods. During peak times, onsite presence will increase, with additional hours or weekend work possible (overtime eligible). Parking is available, and some travel to other AQA offices may be required.

Join Us and Make a Difference:
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking organisation committed to diversity, inclusion, and educational excellence. If you're ready to lead, inspire, and make a difference, apply today.

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 Sunday 10th November 2024

The selection process:

Pre-screening Video interview Middle of November, followed by a first stage online panel interview to take place in early to end of November with final face to face interviews held onsite week commencing 6th December 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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