Job Advert
Academy Operations Team Leader
AGA Performance is seeking an Operations Team Leader to join the Toyota (GB) Training Academy, based in Burgh Heath, Epsom.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced people leader with a passion for delivering exceptional customer service, enhancing operational excellence, and using data-driven insights to support business decisions within one of the world's most respected automotive brands.
About AGA Performance
AGA Performance is an ISO-accredited Learning & Development consultancy with over 35 years of experience delivering innovative, high-quality solutions to the automotive industry. They work in close partnership with Toyota (GB) to support the development of its retailer network through the design and delivery of exceptional learning and development programmes. Joining AGA Performance means becoming part of a collaborative and supportive team where curiosity, continuous improvement and exceptional service are at the heart of everything we do.
About Toyota (GB)
Toyota (GB) is the national sales and marketing company for Toyota and Lexus in the UK. Recognised as one of the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For, Toyota is committed to innovation, quality, and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced leader who thrives on developing people, using data to inform decisions, enhancing processes, and identifying opportunities to improve operational performance.
As Academy Operations Team Leader, you will be the driving force behind the smooth running of the Academy and the delivery of an outstanding customer experience, with every process, interaction, and decision reflecting Toyota's commitment to excellence. You will lead a small, dedicated support team, shape operational standards, analyse performance data, and work closely with senior stakeholders across Toyota GB, Toyota Motor Europe and the wider network.
If you love improving systems, searching for continuous improvement opportunities and motivating people, this is the job for you!
Your key responsibilities will be to:
Lead, Inspire & Develop
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Line manage the Academy Support Team, creating a positive, inclusive and high-performance culture
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Provide coaching, development and regular performance reviews
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Act as the first point of contact for day-to-day team queries, ensuring clarity, confidence and support.
Drive Operational Excellence
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Oversee the smooth running of Academy operations in line with service level agreements
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Maintain and improve SOPs to ensure consistency, compliance and efficiency
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Identify opportunities to streamline processes, automate tasks and enhance the Academy’s ability to self-serve Use
Data to Shape Decisions
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Conduct proactive data analysis to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
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Produce monthly KPI reports and provide recommendations that support business objectives
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Investigate data from multiple business areas to support program improvement and operational change.
Collaborate & Influence
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Working closely with Toyota GB Academy management, the Training Team Leader and other stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery
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Attend stakeholder meetings and represent the Academy with professionalism and confidence.
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Maintain awareness of wider organisational priorities to ensure scheduling, demand planning and licensing activity is timely and commercially aligned.
Champion Customer Experience
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Role-model customer-centric behaviours in every interaction
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Ensure the Academy delivers a consistent, high-quality service to Toyota centres, suppliers and internal teams
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Escalate issues appropriately to protect service levels and contractual commitments
About You
You will thrive in this role if you are:
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A confident, supportive people leader with experience developing high-performing teams
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Exceptionally organised, proactive and able to juggle multiple priorities with ease
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Curious, analytical and comfortable interpreting data to make recommendations
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A natural collaborator who builds strong relationships across departments and levels
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Client-focused, commercially aware and committed to continuous improvement
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Agile, adaptable and energised by change
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A clear communicator with strong influencing skills and a solutions-focused mindset Essential Requirements
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Proven line management experience
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Strong organisational, problem-solving and communication skills
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Experience analysing and interpreting data to inform decisions
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Ability to delegate effectively and manage team workload
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Confidence, curiosity and a proactive approach to improvement
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Ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
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Client-focused mindset with a drive for continuous improvement
What’s On Offer
Salary between £45,000 and £47,000 DOE per annum
Performance bonus
24 days holiday + Bank Holidays
Hybrid working: three days per week based at the Burgh Heath Academy and two days working from home.
Ongoing career development and support
The chance to work with one of the world’s most respected automotive brands
A collaborative and supportive working environment where your ideas can make a real difference.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre prior to a final stage interview.
Our Process
When applying, please include a full current CV. Once this has been reviewed, we will be in touch to advise if your application will be progressed through to the next stage. The Riverside Resourcing & Consultancy recruitment process reflects our obligations under relevant UK legislation. Whilst all applications are carefully considered, we are only able to progress applications from candidates who have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
Managing your data
We care about your personal data. The General Data Protection Regulation provides you with more control, and by applying to us, we consider this to be an agreement to process your personal data in support of our recruitment and selection process. Your application data is held within our secure applicant tracking system through hireful - you will be given access to a candidate zone in this system where you can monitor and manage your application and see status updates. We will communicate with you, by email or phone, throughout the recruitment process so that we can keep you updated and inform you of your application progress.
