Operations Manager

Cityworx Ltd; Enfield; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Cityworx Ltd, a welfare-to-work and adult education provider in the United Kingdom, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager. You will lead day-to-day operations, drive strategic growth, oversee accredited provision and funding, and optimize systems with AI and CRM solutions.

Key responsibilities include building and managing teams, ensuring compliance with DfE/DWP/AEB standards, and developing national partnerships with employers and government bodies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading operations in welfare-to-work or adult education.
• Strong knowledge of AEB, DfE, and DWP guidelines.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with government bodies and prime contractors.
• Experience with HR administration and KPI-driven performance reviews.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations and staff schedules to ensure high service quality.
• Lead, recruit, and grow the team with KPIs, reviews and training.
• Oversee HR administration, punctuality, leave, and conduct via HR portal.
• Create and embed SOPs across departments to ensure compliance and scalability.
• Lead accredited provision and funding growth for AEB contracts at prime level.
• Collaborate with IT, AI, and CRM teams to drive system efficiencies.

Skills

Leadership

Remote team management

Stakeholder engagement

CRM familiarity

AI systems awareness

Tools

CRM software

AI tooling

Job description

Cityworx are partnering with the Industry leader in Welfare to work, we are recruiting an Operations Manager with a proven track record in the sector. This role is designed to lead the next phase of strategic growth for our client and will in turn offer a huge amount of career development for you.

Are you an experienced operations leader with a proven track record in welfare-to-work and adult education? We are a rapidly growing employment support and training provider looking for a dynamic Operations Manager to oversee our day-to-day running and drive strategic national growth.

In this role, you will take full ownership of our accredited delivery, build out our funding capabilities, and optimize our systems using advanced AI and CRM tools.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Manage day-to-day business operations and staff schedules to ensure high service quality and met deadlines.
• Lead, recruit, and grow the team, setting clear KPIs and managing performance, reviews, and training.
• Oversee internal HR administration, including tracking punctuality, leave, and conduct via the HR portal.
• Create and embed robust SOPs across all departments to ensure compliance, consistency, and scalability.

Accredited Provision & Funding Growth

• Lead our accredited provision, building a department capable of delivering Adult Education Budget (AEB) contracts at prime level.
• Oversee curriculum development, including training materials, course content, and schemes of work.
• Liaise with awarding bodies to manage approvals, accreditation, and rigorous quality assurance.
• Maintain flawless compliance with DfE, DWP, AEB, and funding body standards for all paperwork and reporting.

Technology, AI & Systems Integration

• Collaborate with IT and AI teams to drive system efficiencies and enhance our website and CRM.
• Translate operational pain points into automated, AI-driven solutions and system improvements.
• Ensure CRM data accuracy to support strict DWP audits, subcontractor management, and employer tracking.

Commercial Strategy & Partnerships

• Develop sustainable commercial income pipelines alongside our funded employability provision.
• Grow our health and social care training pathways, creating a strong talent pipeline for the wider group.
• Build and manage national employer partnerships to secure high-volume vacancies in retail, hospitality, and care.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with the DWP, Jobcentres, combined authorities, and prime contractors.
• Promote the business at government level, leveraging your track record with senior decision-makers.

Bids, Finance & Governance

• Identify new funding opportunities and lead bid writing for upcoming AEB, DfE, and DWP tenders.
• Conduct monthly financial reviews and oversee quarterly invoice and VAT submissions for the accountant.
• Execute flawless audit preparation and maintain meticulous electronic paper trails.
• Drive corporate social responsibility (CSR) and embed social value across all national delivery operations.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven management experience within the UK employability, welfare-to-work, or skills sector.
• Deep knowledge of funding streams, specifically AEB, DfE, and DWP compliance and audit guidelines.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to performance-manage remote or multi-disciplinary teams.
• A tech-forward mindset, comfortable working with CRM developers and integrating AI efficiencies.
• An exceptional networker capable of influencing prime contractors, stakeholders, and government figures