Overview
The Level 5 Operations and Departmental Manager Apprenticeship is designed for aspiring leaders who want to make a significant impact within their organizations. This role is crucial across various sectors, including private, public, and third-sector organizations, where operational efficiency and effective team management are key to success.
As an operations manager, you’ll take on a leadership role with a broad range of responsibilities, from managing teams and projects to ensuring that your department aligns with the strategic goals of the organization. Your role will be to provide clear direction, instructions, and guidance, ensuring that your team achieves its targets while adhering to legal and organizational policies and procedures.
You’ll work closely with various internal stakeholders, including human resources, finance, IT, sales, and marketing, as well as external partners like customers, clients, and suppliers. This interaction requires a high level of flexibility and adaptability, as you may find yourself working in diverse environments, from office settings to onsite or remote locations.
Your responsibilities will include developing your team members, planning and reviewing workloads, and delivering operational plans that contribute to the overall success of your organization. You’ll be expected to make key decisions, often with limited supervision, and guide or influence the decisions of others.
This apprenticeship will equip you with the skills to analyze data, improve operational efficiencies, and ensure business continuity. You’ll also learn to navigate the complexities of legal, ethical, and sustainability considerations, making you a well-rounded leader capable of driving your organization forward in today’s dynamic business environment.
Occupational profile
An Operations or Departmental Manager is responsible for managing teams and/or projects, achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives, as part of the delivery of the organisation’s 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. Responsibilities include creating and delivering operational plans, managing change, financial and resource management, talent management, coaching and mentoring.
Duration
The apprenticeship will typically take 30 months to complete.
Level
This apprenticeship standard is at Level 5.
Entry Criteria
We are looking for high quality candidates with good interpersonal skills and preferably Maths and English GCSE/Functional Skills.
A Personal Development Programme will also be undertaken.
Career progression
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the candidate can register as full members with Chartered Management Institute and/or the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Potential career pathways for this apprenticeship include Operations Manager, Regional Manager, Divisional Manager, Department Manager and Specialist Managers.
