Educated Appointments are delighted to be supporting a Nottingham based leading training organisation to hire an Operations Director. 

Our client are a well-established leading training organisation working in and around the East Midlands. We provide a range of employment related training including Full Time Programmes, Apprenticeships, Adult Learning Loans, Employability and work experience opportunities for adults and young people from diverse backgrounds, that will enhance individuals’ employment potential and qualifications. In our most recent Ofsted inspection we retained our “Good” rating and we are continuously developing and improving our provision.

Main Purpose

A highly motivated leader responsible for the operational delivery of all our contracts and services, in accordance with contractual, awarding organisation and Ofsted requirements.

To lead on continuous improvement of Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) ensuring delivery excellence across all operational areas.

To work effectively with our Board of Directors in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organisation through achievement of strategic plan objectives.

Accountabilities

Leadership/Staff Management

• To effectively lead and manage all operational delivery within the company.
• To attend and contribute to our client’s Board Meetings including preparing performance information and reports.
• To lead, manage and support all direct reports, ensuring effective absence management, conduct and performance management.
• To develop the operations team ensuring they have the required experience and skills to deliver business priorities.
• To ensure effective and efficient use of resources including staff utilisation as per annual budgets. 

Operational and Performance Management

• To contribute to the performance management framework in place to effectively manage the strategic plan objectives relevant to operational delivery.
• To ensure that SMART targets are set for operations staff which link to the strategic plan, purpose and values which are cascaded throughout the business.
• In conjunction with colleagues, to ensure the effective delivery of ESFA and other funding bodies contractual requirements, maximising income streams.
• To maintain a culture of continuous improvement in TLA including ensuring current and best practice in delivery methods, resources and knowledge/skills of delivery staff are adopted.
• To ensure annual performance targets are met for learner success rates including achievements, retention, progression etc in line with funding body and Ofsted expectations.
• To lead relationships with AOs/EPAOs ensuring compliance with all associated requirements, policies and standards including Centre Approvals and External Quality Assurance meetings
• In conjunction with colleagues, to ensure that processes are in place to continually review operations departments performance through self-assessment reviews and continuous improvement action plans.
• To ensure that the organisation is prepared for Ofsted inspections which will result in a minimum overall inspection rating of grade 2 with the medium to long term aim to achieve grade 1.

Financial Management

• In conjunction with colleagues, to ensure effective organisational resource planning and budget setting annually, reviewing the budget position and variations, addressing any negative performance.
• To promote a value for money ethos within the organisation
• To ensure ongoing financial viability of operations departments including monitoring programme profitability and implementing necessary changes.

Quality Assurance, Audit and Risk

• To oversee, influence, promote and evaluate both quality assurance and improvements throughout the operations departments by working with relevant managers, and other related colleagues.
• To ensure the provision of excellent TLA and customer service and high levels of learner and employer satisfaction.
• To ensure compliance with all AO/EPAO associated requirements, policies and standards ensuring direct claim status is attained/maintained and no sanctions are received.
• To ensure that there are appropriate operational policies and procedures in place for TLA, which are reviewed regularly in line with regulatory requirements and best practice.
• To ensure programme design and delivery complies with funding body and AO/EPAO requirements including for Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Study Programmes, Loans, Employability etc.
• To ensure all protocols are in place and that the organisation is prepared for Ofsted Inspection at any time.
• To act as Nominee during Ofsted inspection, ensuring smooth running of the inspection.

Other Duties

• To deputise for the Managing Director in periods of absence.
• To comply with our client’s Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies ensuring that issues are handled appropriately or referred.
• To follow all written policies and procedures lay down by the company.
• To comply with and promote our client’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Equality and Safeguarding.
• To promote our client and all its programmes positively amongst all internal and external customers.
• To undertake any other duties/projects relevant to the post.

Personal Specification

Applicants must have:

Significant experience at management and leadership level in successful, complex and challenging environments.

Experience or knowledge in the field of education, training, learning and development or continuing professional development; within a commercial environment.

Experience of managing operational performance and ensuring that objectives and targets are met through strong staff management and leadership skills.

Significant operational experience of government funding training and compliance with relevant funding, quality and awarding organisations.

Experience of managing delivery to Ofsted standards including experience of Ofsted inspections.

The following are desirable:

Experience as Ofsted nominee

A graduate level (or equivalent) training or management qualification