At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage quality assurance for education and CPD, ensuring compliance and enhancing operational processes.
- Company: Join a dynamic regulator focused on patient safety and educational standards.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in risk assessment, team management, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Remote work available; travel to universities may be needed.
The predicted salary is between 49945 - 58232 £ per year.
Role PurposeOur Education and CPD department has been managing an exciting programme of work. We are a data-driven outcomes-focused regulator, which seeks to allow innovation and flexibility in the sector, whilst ensuring compliance with our robust standards and supporting registrants, education and CPD providers and the public to understand our expectations. The work that we do protects patient and public safety by setting standards to ensure that newly qualified registrants are able to practice safely, and that all fully qualified registrants keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date to be equipped to meet the demands of current and future patient need.The department looks after the smooth running of two statutory functions:
- the quality assurance and enhancement methods (QAEM) for qualifications, successful completion of which enables individuals to apply to join the GOC register (referred to as the Education team); and
- the approval and quality assurance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) providers provision and supporting registrants to meet our CPD requirements (the CPD team).
The Education Operations Manager manages one of the Education teams, working as part of the management team across the Education and CPD departmentThis is an exciting time where your skills and experience will help to achieve our vision. We launched our new Education & Training Requirements(ETR) for Education Providers, with the first qualifications being delivered from September 2023 by organisations who have successfully adapted their qualifications to the new requirements. The role-holder will play a pivotal role in ensuring that these qualifications meet our ETR and deliver the outcomes expected.We are in the second cycle of our new 3-year Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, in which registrants take more responsibility for their professional development, and there is increased freedom and flexibility for approved CPD providers to meet our CPD standards.Due to the similarities across the Education and CPD teams and our resource needs, you will work closely with other managers in the department to ensure and support resourcing needs across the teams. The management team will apply its strengths and expertise, increase diversity of thought, and build operational resilience within a small regulator. Who are we looking for?The role-holder will have a range of decision-making responsibilities related to the Education QAEM activity, so strong investigating skills are critical. This includes plenty of experience in assessing and triangulating information to make evidence-based recommendations/decisions and assessing the impact of those decisions.As an outcomes-focused regulator, our ethos is to work as collaboratively as possible with registrants, and education and CPD providers to enhance compliance and minimise risk within the sector. This includes when we investigate serious concerns regarding a provider. The role-holder has a key responsibility in driving forward communication campaigns and running engagement initiatives, such as workshops and forums, to increase awareness and compliance.Working as part of a close-knit multi-disciplined team, you will collaboratively manage our standard operating procedures to ensure we properly enact our legislation. You will also provide hands-on support to education providers to ensure they are clear on our requirements and expectations.You will work closely with the CPD, Education Policy, and Education Development teams and other departments to support any development initiatives, policies and shared projects. We are open to applications from candidates seeking full or part time positions (including job-shares). The postholders can be based anywhere in the UK but may need to travel to the office based in London (Canary Wharf) for meetings, based on business need. You may also be required to travel to universities and colleges across the UK, with occasional overnight stays away from home (expenses paid).Key AccountabilitiesProcess management and decision-making
- Manage the Quality Assurance and Enhancement methods for Education provision in line with our policies, procedures and Service Level Agreements.
- Ensure comprehensive procedures are in place and address any gaps.
- Ensure decisions are made in line with the relevant frameworks, policies and procedures.
- Identify and deliver continuous improvement activities to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams regulatory functions.
- Ensure effective communication and consistency when dealing with customers and ensure enquiries are dealt with in a timely and professional way, in line with our processes.
Data, monitoring and reporting
- Collate, investigate, and triangulate quantitative and qualitative data, make evidence-based recommendations, and produce accurate and accessible reports.
- Ensure information held on our systems/websites is accurate, up-to-date and adheres to data protection and confidentiality legislation.
- Monitor, analyse and report on the performance of the teams, finances and budget compliance and emerging risks.
- Identify and report risks and issues related to the functions.
- Prepare Council, Committee and SMT papers, as required.
Engagement and training:
- Work with our Communications Team to design and lead communication campaigns to relevant stakeholders in order to engage them with our policies and processes.
- Run presentations and workshops with a variety of stakeholders, including GOC Council, committees and members as well as external stakeholders.
- Provide guidance and training to the team, and education visitors.
- Work effectively with external stakeholders by providing support and guidance as appropriate.
- Represent the GOC externally, engaging effectively with key stakeholders and by attending key meetings and events.
Line management and collaboration:
- A key member of the Education and CPD management team, working together to develop teams to ensure operational resilience.
- Work with colleagues from other departments to ensure the effective execution of GOCs regulatory functions.
- Direct line management and matrix management of 2-5 employees (Education Operations officers, and Education administrator).
- Monitor performance of educationvisitors.
- Support/lead on projects and tasks, and deputise for others, as required.
Essential Skills/Experience/Qualifications
- Experience in risk assessment and management.
- Experience in communications/engagement planning and delivery.
- Experience in managing and continuously improving operational processes.
- Experience in team management and leadership.
- Strong stakeholder management, presentation and engagement skills.
- Strong information and data analytical and investigation skills, with the confidence to draw evidence-based conclusions/recommendations.
- Strong organisation and planning skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to write clearly, precisely, and accessibly on complex issues, with attention to detail and accuracy.
Closing date for this role is 13 April 2026 11:59pm, please note we reserve the right to close this role early dependent on number of applications.Please note that your application will only be considered if it includes both CV and a cover letter. The cover letter should be no longer than 2 A4 pages and must demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria of this role.REF-227 617
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Education Operations Manager employer: General Optical Council
Contact Detail:
General Optical Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those who work at the GOC or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on what they’re really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the role's requirements. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around quality assurance and stakeholder engagement. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for education and compliance! During interviews, share examples of how you've improved processes or engaged stakeholders in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to the sector and its standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission in education operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Education Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in risk assessment, team management, and operational processes. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be no longer than 2 A4 pages and must clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria. Use this space to showcase your communication skills and passion for education – we love a good story!
Be Specific with Examples: When detailing your experience, be specific! Use examples that showcase your decision-making skills and ability to manage projects. We’re looking for evidence-based recommendations, so don’t hold back on the details.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at General Optical Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the role of Education Operations Manager. Familiarise yourself with the key accountabilities and essential skills listed in the job description. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs and demonstrate your understanding of their mission.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement and communication campaigns, prepare examples that highlight your strong verbal and written communication skills. Think about times when you've successfully led workshops or presentations, and be ready to discuss these experiences.
✨Be Data-Driven
As a data-driven regulator, they’ll want to see your analytical skills in action. Prepare to discuss how you've used data to make evidence-based decisions in previous roles. Bring specific examples of how your investigations have led to improved outcomes or compliance.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
This position requires collaboration across various teams. Be ready to talk about your experience in team management and how you've fostered operational resilience. Highlight any projects where you worked closely with others to achieve common goals, showcasing your ability to lead and support your colleagues.