Operations/Departmental Manager Higher Apprenticeship

Occupational Profile

An operations/departmental manager is someone who manages teams and/or projects, and achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives, as part of the delivery of the organisations strategy. They are accountable to a more senior manager or business owner. Working in the private, public or third sector and in all sizes of organisation, specific responsibilities and job titles will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same. Key responsibilities may include creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading and managing teams, managing change, financial and resource management, talent management, coaching and mentoring. Roles may include: Operations Manager, Regional Manager, Divisional Manager, Department Manager and specialist managers.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirement for this apprenticeship will be decided by each employer, but may typically be five GCSEs at Grade C or higher. Apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Standards (sample selection)

Apprentices will have to meet all of the core requirements of the standards, examples of which are shown below. The full standards can be downloaded from the government's website - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/549192/Operations_Departmental_Manager.pdf

Knowledge

• Project Management - Know how to set up and manage a project using relevant tools and techniques, and understand process management. Understand approaches to risk management.
• Finance - Understand business finance: how to manage budgets, and financial forecasting.
• Managing People - Know how to manage multiple teams, and develop high performing teams. Understand performance management techniques, talent management models and how to recruit and develop people.
• Communication - Understand interpersonal skills and different forms of communication and techniques (verbal, written, non-verbal, digital) and how to apply them appropriately.
• Self-Awareness - Understand own impact and emotional intelligence. Understand different and learning and behaviour styles.
• Management of Self - Understand time management techniques and tools, and how to prioritise activities and the use of different approaches to planning, including managing multiple tasks.

Skills

• Project Management - Plan, organise and manage resources to deliver required outcomes. Monitor progress, and identify risk and their mitigation. Able to use relevant project management tools.
• Finance - Able to monitor budgets and provide reports, and consider financial implications of decisions and adjust approach/recommendations accordingly.
• Leading People - Able to communicate organisational vision and goals and how these to apply to teams. Support development through coaching and mentoring, and enable and support high performance working. Able to support the management of change within the organisation.
• Communication -  Able to communicate effectively (verbal, non-verbal, written, digital) and be flexible in communication style. Able to chair meetings and present using a range of media. Use of active listening, and able to challenge and give constructive feedback.
• Self-Awareness - Able to reflect on own performance, working style and its impact on others.
• Decision Making - Able to undertake critical analysis and evaluation to support decision making Use of effective problem solving techniques.

Behaviours

• Takes responsibility - Drive to achieve in all aspects of work. Demonstrates resilience and accountability. Determination when managing difficult situations. Seeks new opportunities
• Inclusive - Open, approachable, authentic, and able to build trust with others. Seeks the views of others and values diversity.
• Agile - Flexible to the needs of the organisation. Is creative, innovative and enterprising when seeking solutions to business needs. Positive and adaptable, responding well to feedback and need for change. Open to new ways of working.
• Professionalism - Sets an example, and is fair, consistent and impartial. Open and honest. Operates within organisational values.

Downloads (full details from government website)

  Apprenticeship Standards for Operations/Departmental Manager

  Assessment Plan for Operations/Departmental Manager

Key Facts:

Campus: Hereford

Level: 5

Entry Requirements: The entry requirement for this apprenticeship will be decided by each employer, but may typically be five GCSEs at Grade C or higher. Apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Duration: The duration of this apprenticeship is typically 30 months . 

Contact: 0800 032 1986