Internal Only – Operations Manager

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This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Only – Operations Manager

The post holder will be part of the team delivering the Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Mentoring project , which has been funded by Welsh Government since 2015 to arrest and reverse a 20-year decline in the number of young people opting to study a modern foreign language at GCSE in Wales (please see the additional information section for more project detail).

This role is designed to support the large-scale operations of the MFL Mentoring Project, particularly in relation to engagement with secondary schools, universities and additional partners.

The post holder will lead the successful delivery of the year 8/9 MFL Mentoring project both face-to-face and online. The role requires the post holder to conduct their role in both English and Welsh. This will include supporting the recruitment of schools and mentors; managing partnerships with partners internal and external to Cardiff University; organising and delivering training events for all mentors online and/or face-to-face; managing a small caseload of schools and mentors if required; outwardly promoting the project in a variety of forums; supporting the data collation and services offered by the project; and all other operational aspects of delivery. The post holder will work closely with the Programme Manager, but will be expected to be confident to lead, to problem solve and to offer creative ideas and input. 

The role is suited to someone who enjoys taking the initiative, being creative and is passionate about supporting our young Welsh learners. In particular, the role will suit someone who enjoys a varied task load and will thrive in a busy, enthusiastic team. The role will require some travel and weekend working. It would be advantageous if the post holder has experience of teaching, mentoring, working in education and/or learning an additional language, but this is not a requirement if the post holder is eager, enthusiastic and keen to develop their knowledge.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available immediately, and is fixed term until 31 March 2024.

Salary: £36,333 – £43,155 per annum (Grade 6)

Closing date: Thursday, 23 March 2023

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Key Duties

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Year 8/9 mentoring project, ensuring that compliance with all regulations of risk, management and evaluation are adhered to. This will include taking responsibility for resolving issues independently and proactively contributing to the continuous improvement of operational systems and processes to facilitate the work of the project.
• This will also include line managing and supporting Project Coordinators and where necessary, taking on a caseload of schools and mentors to manage on a day-to-day basis. This will include planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required.
• Manage the performance, induction and development of the team.
• Provide professional advice and guidance on MFL Mentoring activity of the Year 8/9 programme including processes and procedures) to internal and external staff and partners that will shape the project.  This includes using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action and supporting other colleagues in decision making and problem resolution.
• Support the development and achievement of project plans relating to the Year 8/9 Mentoring project, ensuring objectives are met and deliverables are realised on time, to agreed standards and within budget.
• Maintain existing and establish new working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with relevant internal and external outside parties as required, primarily with university leads and consortia partners and other relevant organisations.
• Support the writing of project reports in readiness for Steering Group meetings, presenting where needed.
• Maintain appropriate project documentation and readily implement new systems and processes where needed.
• Lead on the evolution of the data collation and data workflows of the project. Lead on data collation, data storage and retention, and data analysis for reporting.
• Lead on the development, delivery and evaluation of a training programme to train a cohort of mentors. This will involve logistical planning.
• Plan and deliver specific small-scale projects, co-ordinating and supervising project teams created as needed.
• Actively monitor and report on the broader languages landscape and other language engagement strategies and activities to provide market insight to the MFL Mentoring Project team.
• Ensure that the project is implementing robust and effective processes and policies to better understand and meet the needs of individuals who come from under-represented or vulnerable groups.
• Identify additional funding streams and support the preparation of bids for any additional engagement or research initiatives.
• Contribute actively to the training and development of other team members.
• Bring creativity and energy to existing practices to highlight areas where innovation could bring increased impact.

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the department.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

It is Cardiff University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable. Please attach a supporting statement, using each of the below criteria as a heading evidencing how you meet each. When attaching the supporting statement to your application, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.

We will look to  interview those candidates who evidence that they meet all of the identified essential criteria.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent work related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Substantial experience of working within large-scale projects.

Able to demonstrate professional knowledge of language education in Wales, with particular knowledge of the Curriculum for Wales.

Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures and managing a varied portfolio of activity.

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people.

Evidence of ability to undertake and deliver specific projects and supervise short term project teams.

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving

Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; using detailed understanding of methodologies to select the right approach.

Experience of writing programme reports, assessing progress, identifying challenges and opportunities, and clear evidence of showing attention to detail and a focus on accuracy and completeness in all areas of work.

Substantial experience of managing a team, with evidence of ability to plan the work of a team over extended time periods, reacting to changes in workload and priority.

Other

       10. Fluency in Welsh

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge of a language/s other than Welsh and English.

Postgraduate/Professional qualification in relevant field (e.g. languages, mentoring, outreach, project management).

Experience of working in a Higher Education environment.

        14. Experience of working in or with the secondary education sector in Wales.

Additional Information

The Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Mentoring project has been funded by Welsh Government since 2015 to arrest and reverse a 20-year decline in the number of young people opting to study a modern foreign language at GCSE in Wales, in support of the aims and ambitions of Welsh Government’s Global Futures strategy. The project works across Wales working with over 140 secondary schools across Wales, 100s of teachers, 5 partner universities, over 150 university students spanning university and subject areas, and engaging with over 6000 secondary school learners each year. The project also has partnerships that extend throughout the UK including but not limited to Ulster University, Stirling University, Leeds University and Warwick University.

Job Category

Management & Executive