At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage daily operations, coordinate logistics, and support HR admin in a dynamic office.
- Company: Join Big Brother Watch, a leading civil liberties campaign group in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a pet-friendly office, flexible hours, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Part-time role with hybrid working options and a friendly team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real impact defending freedoms while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in office management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 13500 - 13640 £ per year.
Reports to: Director
Working hours: 0.4 FTE / 16h per week
Salary: £13,500 (FTE £31,640)
Term: 12 months fixed term contract
Location: Vauxhall, London – hybrid considered
Apply by: Friday 21st August (by end of day)
Start date: ASAP
Benefits: Pet-friendly office, flexible working, generous annual leave.
Summary
We are seeking an experienced, highly organised and proactive Operations Manager to play a central role in keeping our London office running smoothly and supporting our wider team and organisation. The ideal candidate will have strong liberal instincts and support our mission to defend civil liberties in the UK. This is a varied and hands-on role with responsibility across multiple operational areas, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. It is a new role to the organisation, initially offered as a 12 month fixed term contract, with the possibility of extension.
Why join Big Brother Watch?
- A genuinely flexible, part-time role designed to support work-life balance
- A dynamic, successful and friendly team in a supportive working environment
- The opportunity to take ownership of an important and varied role
- The chance to contribute to an organisation at the forefront of defending freedom in the UK
- Flexible working that works for you: 16 hours per week, with flexibility as to how these are worked
- We’re open to a range of working patterns (e.g. school hours, shorter days across the week, or compressed hours, potentially variations across term times / school holidays)
- Hybrid working, in practice will likely require min. 50% office attendance
About you
You’ll have strong experience managing or co-ordinating a busy office or operational environment. You’ll be confident in taking on tasks proactively, looking for ways to plan ahead to ensure smooth operational running and improved efficiency, and independently finding solutions. You’ll have excellent communication skills, liaising with all team members and providing the team with essential operational support as needed. You’ll have good IT office skills.
Operations Manager job description:
- Take ownership of the day-to-day running of the London office, ensuring it is organised and efficient
- Help co-ordinate logistics for meetings and staff travel
- Co-ordinate IT support, equipment and asset management
- Lead IT migration projects (e.g. changing software/support suppliers, as directed)
- Ensure the office and kitchen are adequately supplied
- Support with HR admin including recruitment of staff, volunteers and contractors
- Organise staff socials
- Organise cycle to work scheme
- Liaise with accountants, support basic book-keeping (receipt filing)
- Support with internal file storage, physical and digital
- Support with maintenance of databases
- Assist with postage and physical mailouts to our supporters
- Commit to highest standards of data protection
- Periodically undertake required office risk assessments
Big Brother Watch is a UK civil liberties campaign group fighting for a free future. We’re determined to reclaim our privacy and defend freedoms at this time of enormous technological change. And we fight to win. We’re a fiercely independent, diverse, non-partisan and non-profit group of campaigners and researchers who work to roll back the surveillance state and protect rights in Parliament, the media or the courts if we have to. We publish unique investigations and pursue powerful public campaigns to pursue real change. We work relentlessly to inform and empower the public to collectively reclaim privacy, defend our civil liberties and protect freedoms for the future. We’re a small, dedicated and highly effective team of 7 (growing to 8) staff members and 5 volunteers.
To apply
Please read the attached Job Information Pack first and then send: Your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the job specification, your relevant experience and why you want to work with Big Brother Watch in particular. (1 page maximum) Please apply by email via the button below. ONLY applications sent directly to this email address will be considered. Please do NOT apply via Guardian Jobs or other platforms. If you would like more information or to discuss the opportunity, please contact. Due to a high number of applications, unfortunately we cannot provide feedback or inform all candidates whose applications are unsuccessful.
Operations Manager employer: Big Brother Watch
Big Brother Watch is an exceptional employer, offering a flexible part-time Operations Manager role in the vibrant area of Vauxhall, London. With a pet-friendly office, generous annual leave, and a supportive team culture, employees are empowered to take ownership of their work while contributing to a vital mission of defending civil liberties in the UK. The organisation values work-life balance and welcomes diverse candidates, including those returning from career breaks, making it an ideal place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Leverage Your University Network
Since you’re eyeing a part-time gig in management consulting, tap into your university’s career services or alumni network. Many consultancies scout for talent through these channels, so you never know when a former student might lead you to an exciting role at Big Brother Watch.
✨Join Consulting Competitions
Get involved in case competitions and strategy games at university. These events not only sharpen your skills but also give you the chance to make connections with professionals in the field. Plus, showcasing your problem-solving skills could catch the eye of recruiters from firms like Big Brother Watch.
✨Engage in Relevant Online Communities
Sign up for platforms like LinkedIn Groups or specialised forums centred around consulting. Engaging with others in these spaces can lead to informal chats that might just land you a part-time role at Big Brother Watch or similar firms.
✨Pitch Yourself Proactively
Instead of waiting for openings, reach out to firms like Big Brother Watch directly. Craft an engaging email outlining your skills and interest in part-time consulting work. Yes, it's a bit bold, but you’d be surprised how often that proactive approach pays off!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:As a part-time management consultant, you’ll need to showcase your strong analytical skills. Make sure your CV reflects your experience in data interpretation and problem-solving, possibly through specific examples in past projects or coursework relevant to consulting.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should really demonstrate your motivation for wanting to join Big Brother Watch and why consulting appeals to you, even in a part-time capacity. Talk about your learning potential and how you can balance the part-time role with other commitments, showing that you're eager to dive into real-world challenges.
Share Relevant Projects:If you’ve worked on consulting projects or undertaken relevant coursework, don’t hesitate to mention them! Even if they were part of your studies, your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings is a huge plus—attach or mention any reports, presentations, or case studies you've produced.
Refine Your CV for Consultancy Roles:Tailor your CV specifically for management consulting by using keywords from the job description—this will help you stand out. Emphasise any teamwork, leadership, or communication skills, as these are crucial in consulting, especially when interpreting client needs or facilitating discussions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Big Brother Watch
✨Master Your Case Study Skills
In management consulting, you'll likely face a case study during interviews, so let’s nail these down! Get familiar with the typical frameworks, like SWOT or Porter’s Five Forces, and practice with real case studies to showcase your analytical skills. Remember, they want to see your thought process as much as the final answer!
✨Talk the Talk of Management
Prepare to discuss management theories and concepts in detail. Brush up on current trends in consulting, like digital transformation or sustainability, and be ready to weave them into your answers. This shows you’re not just academically sound but also genuinely engaged with industry developments.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Learning
As a part-time candidate, highlighting your ability to manage time effectively and quickly adapt is key. Be ready to showcase any relevant experience or projects that demonstrate your learning curve in consulting—this will resonate with interviewers who are keen on growth potential over rigid experience.
✨Get Your Story Straight
Prepare a strong personal narrative explaining why you’re looking to work part-time in the consulting field. Relate it to your skills, interests, or personal goals that align with the role at Big Brother Watch. This will help you stand out and show your dedication, even in a part-time capacity.
