Operations Support Manager

We have a fantastic opportunity for an Operations Support Manager to join out MTC Training business.

The position can be based either Ansty or Oxford and with travel to other locations as required

MTC Training, part of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), is seeking an organised, proactive and highly collaborative Operations Support Manager to support our three core training areas and act as the key operational link between internal teams, MTC’s enabling (group support) functions, and our external stakeholders such as landlords and tenants.

You’ll  work closely with the Managing Director, Directors and colleagues across MTC Training to support excellent outcomes for stakeholders. The position may also involve leading projects across the business, so you will need to be a self‑starter who is dynamic, flexible, resilient and committed to our people, our customers and our purpose.

This role operates across all our current training locations as well as any future sites.

You’ll help colleagues deliver effectively, efficiently, on time and within budget by overseeing the flow of information and ensuring activities are properly connected without becoming involved in technical detail.

Key responsibilities include

• Liaise regularly with MTC enabling functions to ensure smooth and efficient supporting operations across current and future locations.
• Oversee relationships and contract compliance with landlords, tenants and key stakeholders, acting as the primary point of contact for tenancy matters, including site contracts – particularly with UKAEA (Oxford) and HTRC (Ansty).
• Define, monitor and report on operational KPIs aligned to business strategy.
• Co‑ordinate and regularly review the operational risk register, ensuring risks are identified, assessed and mitigated.
• Drive Continuous Improvement (CI) activity, standardising good practice and optimising processes across all sites.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring operational needs are understood and met.
• Act as the conduit for information flow and feedback between MTC Training, enabling functions and stakeholders.
• Support business continuity and incident response planning, ensuring alignment with colleagues and enabling functions.
• Oversee the day‑to‑day operational use of training centres, ensuring facilities are maintained to a high standard and escalating issues to enabling functions when required.
• Lead and deliver operational projects when appropriate.
• Work with enabling function representatives based at MTC Training locations to ensure high service levels for colleagues.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for somebody with proven experience in a similar role.

You’ll have

• Excellent leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to work confidently with stakeholders at all levels including Managing Director, C‑suite, Board members, Directors and technical specialists.
• The ability to flex your style to bring the best out of people and support them through change and delivery.
• High energy, strong work ethic, resilience, a positive approach and a passion for improvement.
• A self‑starter, confident in making decisions that ensure we focus on doing the right things.
• Strong communication, relationship management and stakeholder engagement capabilities, using appropriate channels to build trust and performance.
• Strong contract and supplier management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
• Works well through collaboration and influence.
• Enjoys being part of a team and contributing to collective performance.
• Ethical, with high integrity, supportive of equity and inclusion, and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Ideally, experience working within a learning environment with an understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.

Experience & Knowledge

• Proven experience in multi‑site operational roles, including opening new facilities, ideally within training or education.
• Broad understanding of business‑critical operations and strong business acumen.
• Excellent relationship management experience with landlords, tenants, contractors and stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders with differing priorities.
• Experience negotiating and managing leases, commercial agreements, Heads of Terms and contracts.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, balancing the needs of multiple parties to reach effective outcomes.
• Experience working collaboratively with group functions on problem resolution, service improvements, compliance and organisational objectives.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and operational risk management.
• Understanding of budgets and how to build them to support required services.

Qualifications required

Essential:

• Minimum Level 4 qualification (HNC, HND, Diploma, etc.)
• Project management experience
• Relevant operational experience as detailed above

Desirable:

• CILT (UK) – IOM Level 5 Diploma in Operations Management for the Service Environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management

Vetting & Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of learners is paramount at MTC Training, and all employees are expected to actively contribute to our safeguarding culture. The successful applicant will support the Designated Safeguarding Lead and safeguarding team, adhere to our Code of Conduct, and share our commitment to children’s welfare.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo safer recruitment checks, including:

• Employment history
• Right to work
• Identity
• Two references
• Qualification checks
• Industry prohibitions check (where applicable)
• Online activity search
• Enhanced DBS with children’s barred list check

Safeguarding and Prevent training must be completed promptly and maintained through ongoing learning.