Training Operations Manager

Are you a hands-on Training Operations professional with deep experience in a Skills Development Provider environment?

Do you excel at managing end-to-end training delivery, compliance, learner administration, and multiple projects while maintaining the highest standards of quality and client service?

Are you ready to lead operations in a dynamic training provider where your operational leadership directly impacts learner success and business performance?

Our client, an accredited and trusted business skills training provider for learners, professionals and companies across Africa, is seeking an experienced Training Operations Manager to join their team.

This role reports directly to the CEO and has direct reports (1 Training Coordinator / 2 Project Coordinators), plus overall management of all subcontractors for facilitation, assessment and moderation.

Location: Stellenbosch (Western Cape)

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (10 days in office per month minimum)

Essential: Minimum 3 years operations management experience.
Essential: Experience as a Training Operations Manager / Operations Manager in a Skills Development Provider or training company environment (non-negotiable).
Essential: Demonstrated experience managing the full training operations cycle, from planning and learner administration through to assessment coordination, verification readiness, certification, and project close-out.
Essential: Strong working knowledge of QCTO, SETA, accreditation, verification, and EISA processes in a provider context.
Essential: Proven experience managing multiple concurrent training projects while coordinating resources, subcontractors (facilitators, assessors & moderators), and ensuring on-time delivery and close-out.
Essential: Hands-on operational leadership with a track record of building structure, prioritisation, and high performance in a fast-paced training provider environment.
Advantageous: Experience in the training and education (i.e. occupational learning) environment
Advantageous: National Certificate in OD ETD Practices (NQF Level 5) or Certificate in Operations Management.

 Key Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Directly responsible for the operational success of the campus, overseeing staff management, resource allocation, and the achievement of branch-wide KPIs.
• Manage all service delivery agreements (SDA), ensuring training delivery aligns with client needs and accredited standards.
• Oversee branch-level operational alignment during the transition to the QCTO framework, ensuring systems, staff, and resources meet new regulatory standards.
• Lead performance management for faculty and operational staff, ensuring high-quality output and optimal workloads.
• Oversee accredited programme development, maintain robust Quality Management Systems (QMS), and manage risk for SETA/QCTO audits.
• Oversee learner uploads and administrative compliance across SETAs, ensuring data integrity and successful project reporting.
• Head various client portfolios, managing multi-million Rand projects across public and private sectors.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with SETAs, student leadership, corporate clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements to enhance learner throughput and certification success.
• Manage branch financial activities to ensure projects are delivered within budget.

Key Requirements: 

• Proven experience in a Training Operations Manager or equivalent role within a Skills Development Provider (non-negotiable).
• Strong knowledge of the training provider landscape, QCTO/SETA compliance, and end-to-end project operations.
• Hands-on leadership style with excellent organisational, prioritisation, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing facilitators, assessors, moderators, and other subcontracted resources.
• Ability to build structure, direction, and high performance in a busy operations team.
• Strong stakeholder and client engagement skills with sound judgement on communication.
• Highly detail-oriented with a systematic, execution-focused approach.
• Matric essential; relevant training/operations qualifications advantageous.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).