Operations Director
Location: West Midlands (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
Contract: Full-time
My client is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Operations Director to lead and develop their operations function. This is a key senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the smooth, compliant and high-quality delivery of all operational activity, with a particular focus on apprenticeship programmes and end-point assessment.
Main Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership to the Operations Team, ensuring all processes, policies and systems remain compliant with regulatory requirements and quality standards.
* Work closely with the Managing Director to embed strategic objectives into operational delivery, supporting growth and long-term sustainability.
* Oversee the recruitment, training, development and performance management of external assurers and wider operational staff.
* Lead, coach and develop the internal operations team, ensuring they fully understand their roles, receive appropriate training, and are supported to perform at a consistently high standard.
* Contribute to senior leadership strategy discussions and help drive organisational objectives, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
* Identify and manage risks, including conflicts of interest and any operational issues that may impact quality or compliance.
* Support the Assessment Development Manager with the design, maintenance and continuous improvement of high-quality apprenticeship end-point assessments and associated materials.
* Ensure the organisation meets all Ofqual and regulatory commitments relating to the delivery and awarding of apprenticeship assessments.
* Lead provider and employer briefings, workshops and engagement activities, promoting best practice in EPA delivery and strengthening stakeholder relationships.
* Oversee the handling of Complaints, Appeals, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations, ensuring processes are timely, fair and compliant.
* Manage and mitigate risks related to Malpractice, Maladministration and Conflicts of Interest, safeguarding the organisation’s reputation and operational integrity.
* Champion and promote the organisation’s products, services and delivery standards across all stakeholder groups.
Requirements
* Degree or equivalent experience, ideally within life sciences, chemistry, engineering, manufacturing, or a related sector.
* Proven experience working within the apprenticeships sector, including strong knowledge of apprenticeship standards and end-point assessment.
* Strong understanding of Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition.
* Experience working within science, engineering or manufacturing training environments is highly desirable.
* Evidence of developing and improving systems, processes and operational services.
* Experience leading multi-skilled teams across multiple locations, with a track record of delivering high performance.
* Confident, adaptable and able to tailor communication style to suit different audiences.
* Willingness to travel to stakeholders across the UK when required (occasional overnight stays may be needed).
* Full, clean driving licence.
Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds