Business Operations Director - fast-growing social impact business
London/Manchester (hybrid 3-4 days in office)
c£100k
Want to build the operating engine of a purpose-led business at a real moment of scale?
We're partnering exclusively with a fast-growing social impact business in affordable housing. They help people into safe, affordable homes they couldn't otherwise reach, and the model is commercially strong too. Following significant institutional investment, the business is moving from steady growth to a national rollout. The leadership team is determined to do it as a tech-first, AI-enabled scale-up in a sector known for moving slowly.
They're now looking for a Business Operations Director to own the people, systems and ways of working that will carry them through the next stage. You'll report to the Managing Director and work closely with the Founder. The role is senior, broad and very hands-on.
No property or housing background is needed. They're keen to hear from operators in tech, startups and other fast-moving sectors.
What you'll do
- Lead people and talent end to end, including recruitment, onboarding, performance and development, across an ambitious hiring plan
- Protect and grow an award-winning culture as the team scales
- Design and run the operating rhythm, processes and internal systems so the business runs smoothly and people have clear ownership
- Work with the in-house AI lead to embed AI and automation across the business
- Oversee brand and marketing, workplace health and safety, and operational compliance
- Find ways to remove friction, increase efficiency and make better use of resources
- Turn ideas into action and get things done
What they're looking for
- A strong, people-first leader. This matters more than anything else.
- Someone who does the work, not just directs it
- Experience in a scale-up or high-growth business, ideally through a funding-driven growth phase
- Broad operational range across people, systems and process, with real ownership of HR and talent
- Confidence with technology and a genuine appetite to use AI to change how work gets done
- A commercial mindset, emotional intelligence and a meticulous eye for process
- A creative approach: you look for the better, more memorable way rather than the standard playbook
- Kindness, humility and respect. There's no room for ego here.
Why join
- A senior role with real autonomy and direct access to the leadership team
- The chance to build how a well-funded, growing business operates from the inside
- Meaningful social impact alongside a commercially sound model
- A lean, ambitious team with a warm, supportive culture
- A business committed to modern tools and AI
