Business Operations & Projects Manager

Manchester | Hybrid Working | Monday to Friday - £60,000 - £70,000

The Opportunity

We're looking for a highly organised, proactive and people-focused Business Operations & Projects Manager to become a key part of a growing Manchester-based business.

This is a varied and influential position, working closely with the directors and the wider team to ensure the business operates effectively, projects progress and people have the support they need to perform at their best. The role has been created to provide an important link between the directors and the day-to-day team, allowing senior leadership to concentrate on major customers, commercial growth and the future development of the business. You'll work across different departments, building relationships with Account Managers, Designers and other colleagues, understanding what's happening across the business and making sure important decisions and initiatives translate into action. This is not a traditional administrative or project support role. We're looking for someone who takes ownership, uses their initiative and has the confidence to bring people together, challenge constructively and keep things moving.

The Role

You'll take responsibility for coordinating business activity, driving internal projects and ensuring the right communication and accountability exist across the organisation.

Business Coordination & Team Communication

Act as the main link between the directors and the wider team, ensuring communication flows effectively in both directions.
Build strong relationships with Account Managers, Designers and colleagues across the business.
Develop a clear understanding of day-to-day activity, team workloads, challenges and operational pressures.
Identify issues, bottlenecks and areas where additional support or intervention may be needed.
Bring important feedback and observations to the directors, providing an honest picture of what's happening across the business.
Ensure employees feel supported, listened to and clear on priorities.

Board Meetings, Reporting & Accountability

Attend board and management meetings, contributing to discussions and providing updates where appropriate.
Record key decisions, agreed actions, responsibilities and deadlines.
Communicate actions to the relevant individuals and ensure everyone understands what is expected of them.
Proactively follow up on commitments, monitor progress and address delays.
Hold colleagues accountable for agreed actions and timescales, escalating issues where necessary.
Prepare and present project updates, highlighting achievements, outstanding actions, risks and areas requiring decisions.

Project Management & Business Improvement

Take ownership of internal projects and business improvement initiatives from initial discussion through to implementation.
Coordinate projects across different departments, bringing the right people together and ensuring responsibilities are clear.
Develop project plans, establish milestones and monitor progress against agreed deadlines.
Drive the implementation of new systems, processes and business initiatives.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, communication and ways of working.
Anticipate potential problems, find solutions and keep projects moving without relying on constant direction from the directors.

People Development & Onboarding

Support the onboarding of new employees, ensuring they are properly introduced to the business, understand their responsibilities and settle into their roles.
Work with managers and team members to identify training and development needs.
Encourage employees to develop their skills, take advantage of training opportunities and continue to improve.
Monitor team morale, engagement and workload pressures, raising concerns and identifying where support may be needed.
Help create an environment where people feel valued, supported and motivated to perform.

Supporting the Directors

Take ownership of internal coordination and follow-through, freeing the directors to focus on commercial priorities and business growth.
Provide visibility of progress across the business, ensuring directors are aware of issues before they become bigger problems.
Use initiative to identify what needs attention and take appropriate action.
Challenge constructively when commitments aren't being met or improvements are needed.
Act as a trusted point of contact for both the directors and the wider team.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong organisational and project management skills with excellent people skills and the confidence to get things done.

You'll ideally have:

Experience in a Business Operations, Operations Management, Business Improvement, Project Management or similar role.
Experience working closely with directors or senior leadership teams.
A track record of coordinating projects and driving them through to successful completion.
The ability to work across different departments and bring people together.
Strong communication skills, with the confidence to engage with people at all levels.
Experience monitoring progress, managing deadlines and holding people accountable for agreed actions.
The ability to identify problems, challenge existing processes and implement improvements.
A proactive approach, with the confidence to make decisions and use your own initiative.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Experience within a smaller or growing business would be particularly beneficial, as would exposure to creative, manufacturing, product-based or commercial environments. However, we're more interested in the right person and their ability to make an impact than a specific industry background.

The Person

Personality will be just as important as experience.

You'll be approachable, personable and someone people naturally feel comfortable speaking to.
You'll be able to build trust with the team, understand their challenges and represent their views fairly.
At the same time, you'll be confident enough to have difficult conversations, challenge people when necessary and ensure agreed actions are delivered.
You'll enjoy being hands-on, getting involved in different areas of the business and taking responsibility for making things happen. You won't wait to be told what needs doing; you'll recognise where something needs attention and take ownership.
Above all, you'll be someone who brings structure, clarity and momentum to a busy business.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to take on a genuinely important position within an established and growing business. You'll work directly with the directors, have visibility of the wider organisation and play a significant role in how the business develops. Rather than being restricted to one department, you'll have the opportunity to influence how different parts of the business work together, improve internal processes, support people development and see the results of the projects you deliver.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to build a long-term position with real responsibility, variety and influence.

Manchester-based office.
Monday to Thursday office-based, with Friday working from home.
Permanent, full-time position.

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 DOE

UK Staffing Group

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