Operations Manager in Manchester

Some people look at a spreadsheet and see a spreadsheet. You see what it's telling you, and you can explain it to a busy account team in plain English before their 9am client call. We're hiring an Operations Manager on a 12-month fixed term basis to keep the business organised, informed and moving while our current Operations Manager is on maternity leave. It's a hands‑on coordination role at the centre of the agency, working closely with leadership, finance and delivery teams, and it comes with a part‑time Operations Executive to line manage and mentor.

The role involves keeping operational life at BIG ticking: meetings coordinated, actions followed up, deadlines visible, and nothing left to drift. Day to day, that means owning our agency management system, Synergist, keeping the data behind our reporting accurate, and preparing the operational and commercial reports our teams rely on. Compiling the numbers is half the job. Explaining what they mean is the other half, so account teams can make sharper decisions about clients, jobs and people. You’ll also be the friendly first port of call for process questions across the agency, from onboarding new starters to helping colleagues get unstuck, and you’ll spot where our ways of working could be simpler and make it happen. The role will be based in either Manchester or Glasgow office and offers hybrid working.

The person we are looking for is highly organised, calm under pressure, and happy holding several teams' priorities at once. You’ve got genuine commercial acumen: you understand how project delivery turns into profit, and you’re confident with spreadsheets, systems and reporting tools. You follow up without being asked twice, and people trust you because the things you own get done. You’ll likely have three to five years in a fast-paced, service-based business, in a role such as operations coordination, resource or studio coordination, PMO or delivery support, or senior-level business support. Agency experience helps but isn’t essential. What matters is that you’re practical, dependable and good with people.

About BIG: Established over two decades ago, BIG Partnership has grown to become one of the UK’s largest and most successful independent marketing agencies, with more than 65 people working on over 300 clients across offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Manchester. We specialise in offering a fully integrated service to our clients, with core services that cover PR, design, digital and marketing. We work with businesses ranging from start-ups to some of the world’s biggest brands. Household brands, including Aldi, BP, Deloitte, Asda, Loch Lomond Whisky and Loganair, have entrusted their marketing and communication needs to us. This trust is reflected in our recent ranking for client satisfaction, where specialist consultancy, Relationship Matters, placed BIG among the top 20% of agencies globally for client satisfaction.

We are BIG on our people and culture. You’ll be working alongside colleagues who will happily go the extra mile for you, because they know you would do the same for them. Independently conducted staff surveys show BIG boasts a supportive and positive work environment, with more than 90% of its staff viewing BIG as an employer of choice. This is probably why The Herald newspaper named BIG as having the Best Employee Culture in Scotland.

At BIG our values aren’t just words, they’re how we work every day:

• Refuse to settle: You spot opportunities, solve problems, and make results happen.
• Own the impact: You lead by example, take pride in your work, and make every client feel the value of your expertise.
• Bring the magic: You energise colleagues, inspire clients, and bring positivity to every project.

We’re truly a values-driven organisation. A hallmark of our ethos is our focus on staff development and an open, supportive culture. If you're interested in working with us, you can find our open vacancies on our website, and you can hear directly from our teams about our award-winning culture and what they love most about working at BIG. BIG Partnership is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Close date: 21st August 2026* *The position may close earlier depending on applicant volume.