Operations Manager (Bootcamps)

Hours: 37.5 weekly
Hours: 37.5 weekly
Job Purpose
As Residential Childcare Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing all operational aspects of our Residential Childcare Skills Bootcamps across Greater Manchester. You will have a crucial role in driving high levels of performance and ensuring the fulfilment of the Residential Childcare contract expectations in relation to financial, quality and performance targets.
You will work closely, and establish strong connections with, the Business Development, Enrolment, Delivery and Data and Claims teams to foster collaboration and alignment to facilitate the successful implementation and delivery of our bootcamp programmes, contributing to the achievement of contract goals and objectives.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead end-to-end contract management by implementing robust project management and review procedures across the Skills Bootcamp provision.
• Ensure achievement of contract recruitment and delivery targets, through coordinating bootcamp specific marketing and promotional activity, open days, and curriculum engagement events.
• Actively engage with community groups, employers, and wider stakeholders to grow and develop the business within the curriculum-specific context.
• Build effective and productive working relationships with commissioners' contract leads.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders, strategic and generic subcontractors/delivery partners, and other relevant organisations.
• Create and maintain key contract planning, monitoring, and reporting documentation.
• Facilitate regular contract reviews with key managers to assess performance, plan the approach to achieving future targets, and identify potential challenges and mitigating actions to ensure positive contract outcomes.
• Provide weekly status reports regarding contract milestones, progress against key performance indicators (KPIs), programme interdependencies, risks, and issues.
• Respond to commissioner requirements for contract progress reporting and assurance.
• Work closely with the Head of Curriculum, actively participating in programme evaluation, stakeholder feedback, and lessons learned activities.
• Drive the long-term financial performance and value for money of curriculum programmes through effective operational and financial performance management.
• Work closely with the Heads of Curriculum, Head of Curriculum and Quality, and Curriculum Innovations Manager to implement step-in measures as required, including contractual performance and quality improvement planning.
• Provide feedback based on any evaluation results, quality and progress assessments, or individual responses to the Head of Curriculum to ensure that content not achieving intended learning objectives is addressed.
• Work with the Head of Curriculum as part of a defined joined-up approach to ensure a close tie-up between CPD design and programme management, ensuring that a feedback loop exists.
• Identify effective practice through data analysis and robust audit, sharing with the wider internal management teams and developing into business-as-usual practice.
• Ensure that expertise across delivery areas is kept up to date through self-management and engagement with the Head of Curriculum to gain access to the latest policy and research.
Key Performance Indicators
• Achievement of contractual quality and performance measures.
• Collaboration and engagement with community organisations, referral partners and employers.
• Customer retention and high levels of stakeholder satisfaction.
• Budget and resource utilisation and efficiency.
• Timely and accurate reporting on contract performance measures.
Health and Safety
• You will ensure you follow all Acorn Training health and safety guidelines and fire regulations set out in the polices, follow safe working practices, and complete all mandatory training requirements.
General
• Be aware of and follow all Acorn Training policies.
• Have regular 121’s throughout the year to monitor performance, objectives and progress and support your personal development and wellbeing.
• Take part in any required training needed to fulfil your role.
• Commitment to the Professional Standards – Values and Attributes, Professional Knowledge and Understanding and Professional Skills.
• Promote and uphold the principles, policies, and all relevant statutory requirements, including the Equality Act, the HASWA, GDPR and Safeguarding, including Prevent.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time commensurate with the level of the post.
Person Specification
Qualifications and specific training
• A degree in Social Work, Residential Childcare, or a related field.(Essential)
• Level 5 management qualification or significant management experience in residential childcare or adult education settings.(Essential)
• GCSE grade A*-C (or equivalent) in English and Maths(Essential)
• Full driving licence(Essential)
• Level 5 teaching learning and assessment qualification.(Desirable)
• Level 4 IQA qualification.(Desirable)
Experience
• Experience of performance and/ or contract management frameworks.(Essential)
• Proven experience in managing residential childcare services.(Essential)
• Experience of business planning, budget preparation, budget management.(Essential)
• Experience working with adult learners or in the adult education field.(Essential)
• Experience of and engagement with quality assurance mechanisms both internally and externally.(Desirable)
Knowledge
• In-depth understanding of national standards and regulations for residential childcare.(Essential)
• Understand how to manage and drive performance improvement in contracts.(Essential)
• Demonstrate a knowledge, understanding and personal commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across all areas of work.(Essential)
• Up to date and in-depth knowledge of adult education products, services, and residential childcare industry trends.(Desirable)
Skills and Qualities
• Strong leadership and management skills.(Essential)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.(Essential)
• Strategic planning and goal setting.(Essential)
• Project management skills.(Essential)
• Data analysis and reporting abilities.(Essential)
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.(Essential)
• Results-driven and goal-oriented.(Essential)
• Proactive and self-motivated.(Essential)
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.(Essential)
• Strong commitment to promoting and expanding adult education opportunities.(Essential)
• Proficient in data analytics and using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software.(Desirable)
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the diverse needs of adult learners.(Desirable)
As a recognised, highly inclusive employer, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from Black and Minority, Ethnic (BAME) communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals living with disabilities and from applicants where sectors are typically misrepresented by gender stereotypes.
Acorn Training aspires to be a Positive about Disabled Lead employer.