Level 5 Operations Manager

The broad purpose of the occupation is a leadership role with operational and project responsibilities. This occupation is found in small, medium, large, and multinational organisations in private, public and third sectors across all areas of the economy.

Operations managers undertake leadership and management duties with teams and senior managers where there is a requirement to ensure that teams carry out their roles to meet organisational goals. They are a key component of all types of business models where there is an operational area or department with a workforce to lead, manage and support.

Operations managers will provide clear and inclusive leadership and direction relating to their area of responsibility within an organisation. Typically, this involves setting, managing, and monitoring the achievement of core objectives aligned with the overall strategic objectives of the organisation.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for leading and managing their operational function, which includes accountability for developing team members, managing projects, planning, and reviewing workloads and resources, delivering operational plans, resolving problems, and building relationships internally and externally.

They may work in varied environments, including in an office, onsite, or remotely and demonstrate a high level of flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the organisation.

Job Roles suitable for this qualification:

Examples of job roles this qualification is suitable for but not limited to are:

• Area Manager

• Department Manager

• General Manager

• Operations Manager

• Regional Manager

• Specialist Managers

Entry Requirements:

• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.

• For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3.

• A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Duration:

The qualification usually takes around 20 months which includes 3-4 months EPA period. However, it is possible to complete earlier depending on the existing achievements and individual circumstances.

This can be discussed with your tutor. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.

Aims of this qualification:

The aim of this qualification is to support the apprentice’s understanding of the 3 key areas covering the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs). The core occupation duties of the Level 5 Operations Manager are as follows.

• Duty 1 – Provide leadership and people management.

• Duty 2 – Keep up to date with IT and digital interventions such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and software that can be used in their sector.

• Duty 3 – Analyse, interpret and cascade data to enable tracking, trend analysis and metric reporting to support decision-making for managing objectives and targets.

• Duty 4 – Manage and influence activities and projects within budget and resources to deliver change and continuous improvement.

• Duty 5 – Collaborate with and manage stakeholder relationships.

• Duty 6 – Lead the creation and implementation of their resource plans considering future organisation needs and impact on change requirements.

• Duty 7 – Interpret and comply with relevant legislation and regulations, and understand their impact on the organisation.

• Duty 8 – Lead and manage the team to ensure the application of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.

• Duty 9 – Lead the team and individual training needs and support continuous professional development.

• Duty 10 – Communicate complex information to build understanding and drive team and organisational performance.

• Duty 11 – Manage activities which drive the organisation’s sustainability goals.

• Duty 12 – Build and manage internal relationships and collaborate with colleagues to enable cross-team working.

• Duty 13 – Lead and respond to risk management, assessing the opportunities which could affect individual and team performance, and finding solutions that meet their needs.

• Duty 14 – Develop and implement their operational plan that aligns with the strategic direction of the organisation.

On-Programme Learning/Delivery:

On-programme assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviours will lead to the final synoptic end-point assessment.

Apprentices will be allocated a qualified tutor to support the full completion of the apprenticeship and prepare them for the end-point assessment (sometimes 2 tutors will be required at different times for teaching different elements).

The tutor will undertake engaging and interactive teaching, learning and support sessions with the apprentice on a regular basis (at least every 4-5 weeks), either remotely via Microsoft Teams or in the workplace if appropriate, to conduct teaching, learning and assessments. These will be planned with the apprentice and employer.

The tutor will manage a portfolio of evidence using an online electronic system called OneFile and give regular updates about progress. Apprentices can contact their tutor in between visits to discuss any aspect of their qualification and will be able to access their online portfolio 24/7.

Learning Outcomes:

• Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship Standard

• Level 2 Functional Skills in English (if not exempt)

• Level 2 Functional Skills in maths (if not exempt)

Assessment Gateway:

Before the apprentice is adjudged ready to undertake the end-point assessment by their employer and training provider, they will need to:

• Receive confirmation from the employer that the apprentice is deemed to be working at or above the level set out in the apprenticeship standard and ready to undertake the EPA

• Confirm that they are ready to take the EPA

• Achieve Level 2 in English and maths Functional Skills (if not exempt)

• Submit a written project report summary for the written project report with presentation and questions

• Submit a portfolio of evidence to support the professional discussion 

The purpose of the end-point assessment is to test (in a synoptic way) the skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard.

The end-point assessment:

• provides apprentices with a showcase opportunity to provide oral and documentary evidence of their knowledge, skills and behaviours developed throughout the apprenticeship.

• enables the independent assessor to assess the skills and behaviours of the apprentice by observing the apprentice in the course of their normal work.

• tests the knowledge acquired by the apprentice throughout the apprenticeship.

End-Point Assessment:

An end-point assessment will be conducted by an approved independent End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) listed on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR).

The end-point assessment will comprise two assessments. All assessments must be individually passed for the apprentice to be deemed competent:

• Written Project Report with Presentation and Questions:

A written project report involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The written project report must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship.

This assessment method has 2 components:

• written project report

• presentation with questions and answers

Together, these components give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. They are assessed by an independent assessor.

Grading for Written Project Report with Presentation and Questions: Pass/Distinction

• Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence:

A professional discussion is a 60-minute, formal two-way discussion between the apprentice and the independent assessor. The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence. The independent assessor asks at least 6 questions. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their depth of understanding across the KSBs and engages the apprentice in detailed discussions. The purpose is to assess the apprentice’s competence against the following themes:

• Managing and leading a team

• Organisational governance

• Operational planning

• Stakeholder relationships

Grading for Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence: Pass/Distinction

Overall apprenticeship standard grade: Pass/Distinction

Professional Recognition:

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

• The Chartered Management Institute for Member, as well as Chartered Manager status where they can evidence 3+ years of management experience.

• Institute of Leadership for Member

Progression Route:

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

• Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship Standard