Operations Manager – Restart
Location: Aylesbury
Salary: £45,000 + OTE
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Operations Manager for our Restart Programme; to lead the operational delivery of a government-funded employability programme. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring contractual performance, quality standards and financial targets are achieved while delivering an outstanding service to participants.
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead a high-performing team, oversee day-to-day contract operations and work closely with key stakeholders to drive performance, continuous improvement and positive employment outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the overall delivery of the Restart Programme, ensuring contractual KPIs and quality standards are consistently achieved.
- Provide strategic leadership, coaching and support to the delivery team, creating a high-performance culture.
- Monitor programme performance through data analysis, forecasting and regular performance reviews, implementing improvement plans where required.
- Manage contract budgets and maximise income opportunities through effective operational delivery.
- Ensure compliance with all contractual, safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, employers, local authorities and community partners.
- Produce accurate management information and performance reports for senior stakeholders.
- Oversee participant service quality, ensuring an excellent customer experience throughout the programme.
- Identify operational risks and implement solutions to improve service delivery and contract performance.
- Support business growth by identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships and enhance service provision.
Skills and Experience
- Management qualification or equivalent leadership experience.
- Minimum of five years' experience managing contracts and leading operational teams in a target-driven environment.
- Proven track record of delivering against challenging KPIs and contractual targets.
- Experience within welfare-to-work, employability or other government-funded programmes.
- Strong leadership, coaching and performance management skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using performance data to drive improvement.
- Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Experience within a recruitment or employment services environment.
- Knowledge of employer engagement and labour market initiatives.
