Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship - Level 5

Kickstart your career

Offers an optional University Diploma in Operations Management and supports progression to Level 6 and Level 7 leadership apprenticeships or an MBA.

Course content

Focus on inclusive leadership, sustainability, and digital innovation. Designed for real-world application with blended learning (on-campus and online).

ILM qualification

Aligned with ILM standards and industry best practice.

The Operations Manager Apprenticeship develops leadership, management, and strategic operational skills for professionals managing teams, departments, or projects. Apprentices gain hands-on experience while applying academic theory to real workplace challenges, enhancing both organisational performance and personal career progression.

An operations/departmental manager is responsible for providing input to strategic planning, creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading and managing teams, managing change, financial and resource management, talent management, and supporting people through coaching & mentoring.

Who is it for?

Aspiring or current middle managers working in public, private, or voluntary sectors who lead teams, manage projects, and wish to progress to senior roles such as Operations Manager, Regional Manager, or Project Manager.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: Operations Manager Apprenticeship (Level 5); Aligned academic award: University Diploma in Operations Management

Location: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration: 29 months (24 months on-programme learning and 5 months End-Point Assessment).
Start date(s): Autumn (October 2026) and Spring (January 2026)

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Course content

The apprenticeship covers a diverse range of topics over the duration of the programme:

Modules

Organisational Performance and Governance

This module introduces you to the fundamental principles of risk management, financial governance, and regulatory compliance in business. It explores how organisations identify, assess, and respond to risks while maintaining financial integrity. You will develop an understanding of corporate governance frameworks, financial statements, and risk mitigation strategies, equipping you with the skills to support decision-making in a business environment.

Managing and Leading People and Teams

This module is intended to prepare you for and/or support you in a management position in your organisation, giving you the understanding and abilities required to manage people and lead teams to ensure high levels of motivation, performance and inclusion.

Stakeholder Management and Operational Influence

This module intends to expose you to relationship building with internal and external stakeholders. This may include your immediate team, other departments and functions, suppliers, customers, regulators, legislators, policymakers, and the wider community. The module will support you to identify and analyse stakeholders, in addition to developing and maintaining relationships with them.

Planning and Managing Operations

This module is intended to prepare you for understanding operations management in your organisation, giving you the skills required to initiate and manage projects, set and maintain organisational budgets and use your knowledge of continuous improvement techniques to improve the performance of your organisation.

Work-Based Project

This module equips you with the competencies to effectively manage projects in diverse organisational contexts. You will learn how to analyse and interpret data to support decision-making, manage resources and budgets,and lead projects that drive change and continuous improvement. Emphasis will be placed on strategic resource planning to meet future organisational needs and on aligning project activities with sustainability goals. By the end of the module, you will deliver impactful projects that balance efficiency, innovation, and ethical responsibility.

Professional accreditation

Upon completion of this apprenticeship you can register as a full member with the Chartered Management Institute and/or the Institute of Leadership & Management. Apprentices with 3 years' of management experience can apply for Chartered Manager status through the CMI.

ODMA - Hannah Richards

Video

See how Hannah Richards has developed on her Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship with University of Staffordshire and Merlin Entertainments

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Entry requirements

Regardless of meeting the general requirements the following are non-negotiable:

English GCSE Grade C or 4, or Functional Skills Numeracy Level 2
Maths GCSE Grade C or 4, or Functional Skills Numeracy Level 2

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £9,000 per apprentice. For non-levy paying organisations there will be a financial contribution on 5% which equates to £450 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

The course is delivered as blended learning. Each semester will feature a mix of face-to-face days at our Stoke-on-Trent campus, and webinars held online via Microsoft Teams. Webinars feature a mix of content and small group activities encouraging insightful discussion, application of theory to practice, and incremental progress towards a range of formative and summative assessments.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the course:

Assignments/Reflection: these are usually in essay format of varying length. Assignments must be presented in an appropriate scholarly format which develops academic writing skills.
Seminar/Presentation: the research, planning and presentation of findings to an audience.
Examinations: either multiple-choice or oral (viva voce) examinations.
As part of the apprenticeship and once you have completed your academic qualification, you will undertake an end point assessment (EPA). This will include professional discussions with an external assessor and must be completed within 3 months of completing your academic studies.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Responsibilities

Employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning
Ensure apprentice spends at least 20% of their time in off-the-job training
Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire
Participate in reviews with the Apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities
Recognise that the apprentice must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours
Support the apprentice to gain new skills

A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA**) or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours
Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
Be in a new job role (nine months or less), or in an existing job role, where significant new knowledge and skills are needed – employer statement of justification needed (relevant to the apprenticeship)
Be in full-time employment for at least 30 hours a week
Has the right to work in England
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs
Not be enrolled on another apprenticeship at the same time
Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones

Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable standard of quality and in compliance with the ESFA’s requirements
Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice
Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP
Provide support on selection of the endpoint assessor, if applicable. The endpoint assessment will be completed by the learning provider for all integrated degrees

Careers

You will have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team who support you with professional branding, career mapping and realising your potential.

After completing the Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship you will be a well-rounded accomplished manager. Upon the completion of the ODMA you will have the opportunity to progress onto the level 6 Accelerated Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship in line with your career development.

Testimonial

"I have learned a lot about how I function as a manager and as a human being. Initially, I enrolled on the course because I wanted the next level in education for my CV and to support my skillset, but I have learned so much about team motivation, resources to manage my team and how to see a project through from start to finish. I have learned so much and although I do not like assignments and do not see myself as academic, I love learning and this has reignited my passion for development." - James Melrose at Merlin Entertainments

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To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme or recruit an apprentice for your business, enquire with us today.

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