About BHEA
Brighton & Hove Education Academy (BHEA) is an award-winning independent training provider delivering government-funded and commercial education programmes across Sussex. We specialise in Skills Bootcamps, project management programmes, employability training, workforce development and international education.
As a small but ambitious provider, we are entering an important stage of growth. We now need an experienced operational leader who can bring structure, pace and accountability to our day-to-day delivery while supporting continued expansion.
The role
This is a hands-on Operations Manager role for a confident self-starter who can take ownership of the day-to-day running of BHEA. The postholder will oversee programme operations, learner recruitment, admissions, employer engagement, compliance, quality assurance including Ofsted, staff coordination and performance management across Skills Bootcamps and adult education programmes.
The successful candidate will be trusted to manage operational priorities, solve problems, make things happen and keep programmes on track. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-moving training provider environment, is comfortable taking initiative, and can help build the systems, routines and culture needed for BHEA’s next stage of growth.
Key responsibilities
· Lead the day-to-day operational management of BHEA’s Skills Bootcamps and adult education programmes.
· Coordinate programme delivery, timetables, venues, tutors, learner communications and operational workflows.
· Oversee admissions and learner recruitment activity, ensuring enquiries are followed up quickly and enrolment targets are met.
· Drive employer engagement activity, including employer relationships, interviews, progression routes and outcome evidence.
· Monitor recruitment, retention, attendance, completion, achievement, progression and learner satisfaction targets.
· Maintain funding compliance, contract evidence, audit readiness and accurate learner records.
· Support quality assurance, teaching and learning improvement, learner voice activity and Ofsted readiness.
· Supervise staff, tutors and delivery partners, ensuring expectations, deadlines and standards are clear.
· Produce clear performance reports for the Managing Director and funders, highlighting risks, actions and progress.
· Contribute to business development, contract mobilisation, funding opportunities and new programme launches.
· Identify operational improvements and introduce practical systems that make BHEA more efficient, compliant and scalable.
Essential criteria
· Minimum of 3 years’ experience in at least one of the following adult education, apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, government-funded training or a closely related environment.
· Experience managing or coordinating funded education programmes, ideally including Department for Education or local authority funded provision.
· Strong operational management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities without needing close supervision.
· Proven ability to take initiative, solve problems and follow tasks through to completion.
· Experience of admissions, learner recruitment, learner engagement or enrolment processes.
· Employer engagement experience, including building relationships and supporting learner progression into work or further opportunities.
· Understanding of funding compliance, audit evidence, learner records and contract performance requirements.
· Experience supervising staff, tutors, partners or project teams.
· Ability to achieve recruitment, retention, completion and learner progression targets.
· Excellent communication, organisation, planning and attention to detail.
· Ability to work confidently in a small, fast-paced provider where flexibility and ownership are essential.
· Teaching qualification at Level 5 or above (DET, CertEd, PGCE or equivalent).
· GCSE English and mathematics or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
· Degree or professional qualification in business management, education, project management, leadership and management, HR or a related field.
· Background in project management, PRINCE2, Agile or project-based training environments.
· Previous experience as an Operations Manager, Programme Manager, Skills Bootcamp Manager, Apprenticeship Manager or Employer Engagement Manager.
· Experience preparing for Ofsted inspection or new provider monitoring visits.
· Existing Sussex employer, training provider or stakeholder network.
· Experience contributing to funding bids, contract mobilisation or new programme development.
· Experience working within an independent training provider.
Performance bonus structure
The performance bonus will be linked to agreed targets including learner recruitment, enrolment conversion, attendance, retention, milestone achievement, completion, progression outcomes, employer engagement, compliance standards and commercial income generation. Targets will be confirmed in writing and reviewed regularly.
About you
You will be a tenacious, organised and experienced education and training professional who is motivated by making things work. You will care about the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, but you will also understand the commercial and operational realities of running a small funded training provider.
You will be confident taking responsibility, managing people, building relationships and holding yourself and others accountable. You will not wait to be told what to do; you will spot what needs to happen, communicate clearly and help the founders take BHEA to the next level.
Application process
Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter outlining their relevant funded programme experience, current salary and notice period.
Pay: £45,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
