Operations Team Manager at UK Health Security Agency in Scientific Campus - Colindale, London

Job summary

The Post holder will oversee the operational functions of the UK NEQAS for Microbiology Operations team and work alongside the Laboratory Manager to deliver business and administrative operational objectives.

They will be responsible for strategising and developing the operational functions and report to lead senior staff to implement new requirements. The post holder may work with colleagues who are based across UKHSA, other UK NEQAS Centres, distributors and participants and represent UK NEQAS for Microbiology where required.

Job description

The Post holder will oversee the operational functions of the UK NEQAS for Microbiology Operations team and work alongside the Laboratory Manager to deliver business and administrative operational objectives.

They will be responsible for strategising and developing the operational functions and report to lead senior staff to implement new requirements. The post holder may work with colleagues who are based across UKHSA, other UK NEQAS Centres, distributors and participants and represent UK NEQAS for Microbiology where required.

• Monitoring deliverables of the Operations team.
• Ensuring customer services/logistics are undertaken in accordance with the quality policy and manual.
• Contribute to the development of key performance indicators for the successful assessment of individual and work area’s success
• Prepare documentation to support activities within Operations, non-routine EQA surveys and business processes
• Actively seek to identify, recommend and implement improvements.
• Investigate and implement new software / lean processes for the Operations functions to ensure the service provided remains efficient for participants and staff.
• Lead on harmonising operational delivery across EQA Services
• Contribute to short-, medium- and long-term business plans, achieving quality outcomes
• Represent Operations unit at the senior management meetings
• Look at workforce planning
• Maintaining the Operations team risk register and ensure an effective two-way flow of risk related information up to the Senior Team including a tracking mechanism and escalation process.
• Organising meetings for existing and potential distributors and leading on any outcomes and recommendations that result from these meetings
• Responsible for data analysis of key operational functions and reporting at the annual management review
• Responsible for overseeing yearly tender processes
• Deputise for the Laboratory Manager where necessary to ensure no interruption in the wider operational functions across the department

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Business/operations/logistics –related degree OR equivalent experience in business/operational management /logistics/administration
• Comprehensive understanding and experience in delivery of service to time/quality and budget
• Experience in dealing with external stakeholders and internal customers and agreeing targets, reporting
• Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of individuals
• Experience of managing projects and reporting risk
• Provide evidence of compliance with organisation policies and procedures for procurement of high value goods and services
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in business management tools (e.g. SWOT, PESTLE)
• Knowledge of project principles, techniques and tools

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,310, UK Health Security Agency contributes

£13,416 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency Based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
• 750 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 words.

Longlisting :

In the event of a large number of applications, we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Business/operations/logistics –related degree OR equivalent experience in business/operational management /logistics/administration
• Provide evidence of compliance with organisation policies and procedures for procurement of high value goods and services.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency Based

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our Scientific Campus, Colindale.

When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview in the form of questions.

There will be an Test/Assessment

• On arrival, you will be given a short scenario exercise on management of Distributors of the UK NEQAS EQA service. You will have 30 minutes to review the information and gather your thoughts followed by a 10-minute discussion with the panel about your approach and recommendations. The exercise is designed to explore interactions with external stakeholders of the service.

Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. 

Eligibility Criteria

External This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at our campus.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

When based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Permanent and Fixed Term

If this role is fixed term and you are not currently a Civil Servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment; you may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. Loans are normally agreed for a period of two years. However, this may be extended where required, subject to agreement between UKHSA and your home department. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy. If this role is permanent, it may also be available as a loan (for existing Civil Servants only) or secondment arrangement, subject to business need and agreement from the hiring manager and, where applicable, the employee's home organisation.

Reserve List

If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You maybe contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list. The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your applicati