Operations Shift Team Leader

aqa; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extensive learning and development

35-hour working week

25 days' annual leave rising to 30

Pension contributions up to 11.5%

BUPA healthcare support

Wellbeing programmes

Volunteering opportunities

Overtime and shift premium

Employee networks for diversity and-

Job summary

AQA in Milton Keynes is seeking an Operations Shift Team Leader to lead a team of Operations Coordinators and a seasonal workforce during peak exam periods, ensuring accurate, secure, and timely processing of examination scripts.

You will drive performance, improve processes, and collaborate across the business, with extended hours during May to July and a focus on inclusive leadership and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience leading, supervising a team in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong people leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret data and use information to support decision making and performance improvement.
• Proactive approach to problem solving and driving positive change.
• Experience managing performance and developing others.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive team environment.
• Experience identifying and implementing improvements to processes, systems or ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing and supporting a team of Operations Coordinators and a larger seasonal workforce during peak periods.
• Managing operational performance, ensuring productivity, quality and service targets are achieved.
• Using data and operational insight to identify trends, solve problems and improve performance.
• Supporting workforce planning, training and resource management to meet operational demand.
• Creating a positive, inclusive and high-performing team environment where colleagues can thrive.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality and colleague experience.

Skills

Team leadership

People leadership

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Problem solving

Performance management

Change/continuous improvement

Job description

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 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.

Operations Shift Team Leader

Permanent
Milton Keynes
Salary: £28,500 - £29,500
On-site role

Looking for a leadership role where you can make a real impact?

At AQA, we don't just process examination scripts, we help millions of learners receive the qualifications that shape their futures. As an Operations Shift Team Leader, you'll lead teams, improve processes and play a key role in delivering one of the UK's largest examination processing operations. At AQA, this role is known as a Shift Team Leader.

What's in it for you?

By joining AQA, you'll make a genuine difference to the lives of millions of learners while developing your own career.

Our benefits include:

• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• A 35-hour working week.
• 25 days' annual leave rising to 30, plus Christmas closure days.
• A comprehensive benefits package including up to 11.5 percent pension contribution, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities.
• Overtime and shift premium opportunities during peak operational periods
• Employee networks supporting wellbeing, disability, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and women's development

What makes this role particularly exciting?

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to build on their leadership experience within a unique operation. You'll lead a team of Operations Coordinators year-round and support a larger seasonal workforce during peak exam periods, helping ensure examination scripts are processed accurately, securely and on time

You'll have the opportunity to influence operational performance, improve processes and work with colleagues across the business to deliver successful exam series. For approximately six weeks each year, between May and July, the operation runs extended hours, including day and night shifts, Monday to Saturday, offering valuable experience leading larger teams during our busiest period.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Leading, developing and supporting a team of Operations Coordinators and a larger seasonal workforce during peak periods.
• Managing operational performance, ensuring productivity, quality and service targets are achieved.
• Using data and operational insight to identify trends, solve problems and improve performance
• Supporting workforce planning, training and resource management to meet operational demand.
• Creating a positive, inclusive and high-performing team environment where colleagues can thrive.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality and colleague experience.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience leading, supervising a team in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong people leadership and communication skills
• The ability to interpret data and use information to support decision making and performance improvement.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and driving positive change.
• Experience managing performance and developing others.
• A commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive team environment.
• Experience identifying and implementing improvements to processes, systems or ways of working.

Diversity and inclusion statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experience

Full Job Description

Summary Purpose: The Shift Team Lead is responsible for leading allocated Scanning Centre operational areas and line managing around 6 Operations Coordinators to support the successful delivery of high-volume, time-critical and regulated examination processing activity. The role ensures teams are trained, supported and performance-managed to meet agreed productivity, quality, compliance and service-