Lead Operations Manager

City & Guilds; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading vocational organisation seeks a dynamic Lead Operations Manager to drive changes in its Centre Operations in Wakefield. The role involves overseeing operations, leading a team, and ensuring high-quality service delivery to meet learner and regulatory needs. Excellent benefits package offered, including 25 days holiday and private healthcare.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension

Private healthcare

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operations management role.
• Strong leadership skills with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in data analysis and Excel-based tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team for operational excellence.
• Oversee complex operations including support and results delivery.
• Champion quality compliance in processes and drive improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Data Analysis

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Experience in senior operations management

Tools

Excel

Job description

Join our purpose driven organisation at the forefront of vocational education. As the UK's leading vocational Awarding Organisation, we're on a mission to deliver operational excellence with integrity, efficiency and impact. We're transforming our operations into a centre of excellence and we are looking fore a dynamic, forward thinking Lead Operations Manager to help drive that change.

This is more than just an operations role. You'll be a key player in shaping the future of our Centre Operations function, ensuring we deliver high quality services that meet the needs of learners, centres and regulators.

Based in our Wakefield hub, you'll lead a team of Operations Managers, coordinators, Administrators and Technical Leads - empowering them to deliver seamless, efficient and compliant processes throughout the year.

The practical bits:

• This is a full-time, 35 hours per week role that is office-based in Wakefield (Office Hub is located at WF1 2UF).
• Our Centre Operations team works Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00.
• Occasional travel may be required for internal and external meetings.
• We are currently unable to offer hybrid or remote working for this position.
• We’re a dog friendly office, so there may be dogs onsite on certain days.

As we’re an Awarding Organisation we have a number of high-stakes qualifications including T Levels and our workload peaks during the late Spring / early Summer. Our teams are expected to provide additional flexibility during this time.

Please note that we shortlist applications on an ongoing basis and depending on volume we may close the advert early, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid

disappointment.

This appointment will be made on merit.

We believe that diversity and inclusion strengthens and enriches us, and that it is the responsibility of everyone at the City & Guilds to drive this value. As ethnic minority groups and disabled people are currently under-represented, we particularly encourage and welcome applications from these communities.

City & Guilds are a Disability confident employer. Please let us know if you require any support/adjustments at your interview and if successful any adjustments needed to support you in your role. If this is required, please email; [e-mail]

About the role

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Oversee complex centre facing operations, including second-line support, exam and assessment evidence returns, and results delivery.
• Drive process improvements using your technical acumen and data analysis skills to streamline workflows and enhance performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with assessment and technical teams to ensure smooth delivery of high-stakes qualifications.
• Champion quality and compliance, ensuring all processes meet regulatory and internal standards.
• Contribute strategically to workforce planning, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the development of a learning culture

About you

• Proven experience in a senior operations management role, ideally within education, assessment, or a regulated environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support multi-disciplinary, multi-location teams.
• Excellent problem-solving and organisational abilities, with a sharp eye for detail.
• Proficiency in data analysis and Excel-based tools (including Power Query), with the ability to manage and interpret complex data sets.
• Confident communicator and relationship-builder, able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Skilled in risk and issue management, with a proactive approach to mitigation and resolution.

Our story and mission

To find out more about City & Guilds please click on the following link:

About us | City & Guilds

What we offer

We offer the opportunity to work in an innovative, engaging and market-leading organisation with opportunities to develop your existing skills and explore new ones.

You’ll receive an excellent benefits package which typically includes a great base salary, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, pension, private healthcare, volunteering opportunities and much more.

We welcome a discussion about how this role could work flexibly for you. For example work pattern, hours or location.

Next steps and how to apply

If you think this is the role for you then we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and complete our short application form using the apply button.