SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER (15 MONTH FTC / MATERNITY COVER)

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER (15 MONTH FTC / MATERNITY COVER)

Temporary 54000 - 60480 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Born Social

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operations, manage resources, and drive commercial performance in a dynamic agency environment.
  • Company: Join Born Social, a B-Corp certified creative agency known for transforming iconic brands.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and a supportive team culture.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace celebrating diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
  • Why this job: Be at the heart of an innovative agency and make a real impact on operations.
  • Qualifications: Strong collaboration, problem-solving skills, and data confidence required.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 60480 £ per year.

Hybrid Working - 3 days in the office per week. We operate a Fix + Flex model, with Wednesdays and Thursdays as our two Fix Days, when everyone is in the office, and the third day is Flex for you - either Monday, Tuesday, or Friday.

A benchmarked salary between £54,000 and £60,480 based on your level within our progression framework.

WHO WE ARE

We are Born Social, a social-first creative agency that brings brand building into the social era. We have a track record of delivering transformation for iconic brands like Guinness, Ford, and Barclays, led by our team of social natives and brand experts, underpinned by technology. Backed by the strength of a brilliant business that's proudly B‑Corp certified, we're consistently recognised as one of the best places to work.

We're looking for a Senior Operations Manager to join us on a fixed-term basis, covering key responsibilities across our Operations team during maternity leave. This role sits at the heart of the agency, partnering with Client Services, Business Development, Finance and department leaders to ensure our people, pipeline and resources are working seamlessly together. You'll play a critical role in forecasting demand, allocating opportunities, managing resources to help drive strong commercial performance across the business.

Please note: Internal candidates may be considered for this position as part of the selection process, in line with our commitment to transparent and fair recruitment.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

  • Owning resourcing the agency's global pipeline, working with Client Services to ensure opportunities are accurately forecast, scheduled and allocated to the right teams and individuals, supporting agency growth through effective resourcing.
  • Leading weekly pipeline meetings, driving visibility, accountability and proactive planning across Client Services and Operations.
  • Managing agency-wide holiday approvals and resource cover planning, balancing commercial needs with team wellbeing.
  • Working with Operations to troubleshoot resource challenges, identifying solutions quickly and ensuring work is delivered effectively across the agency.
  • Overseeing Contractor and Croudie engagement, approvals and utilisation, ensuring external resource is used strategically and efficiently.
  • Representing Operations in monthly profitability meetings, providing operational insight and recommendations to improve recovery and commercial performance.
  • Supporting monthly agency reporting, maintaining accurate operational data and providing clear visibility of resource and pipeline health.
  • Building strong relationships with department leads and acting as a trusted operational partner across the business.
  • Identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency through process improvement, automation and AI‑enabled planning tools.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

  • Brilliantly collaborative: you're comfortable working with people at all levels of an organisation and naturally build trust and credibility. You know how to influence decisions, facilitate discussions and bring people together around solutions.
  • Commercially minded: you understand how agency commercials operate and enjoy balancing resource, recovery and profitability to drive better business outcomes.
  • A natural problem solver: you thrive when navigating complexity, spotting risks before they become issues and finding practical solutions.
  • Data confident: you're comfortable working with operational data, forecasting demand and using insights to inform decisions.
  • Calm under pressure: you can manage competing priorities and changing demands without losing focus or momentum.
  • Curious about AI: you're excited by the role automation, systems and AI can play in improving operational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Pride in your work: you care deeply about quality, accuracy and delivering excellent outcomes for both your colleagues and clients.

EVERYONE'S WELCOME

We celebrate different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds here at Born Social. As an equal opportunities employer, we believe in the power of an inclusive and representative team. We welcome applications regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, family, or parental status. We don’t simply comply with the Equality Act, we go further and take pride in building a stronger and more creative work environment, committed to inclusion, diversity, and representation.

A DAY IN THE LIFE WITH US

We've partnered with Day of Wrk to show you what daily life is like in some of our most popular job roles. You can view content from our team including Social Media Managers, Motion Designer and Account Managers on their site.

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER (15 MONTH FTC / MATERNITY COVER) employer: Born Social

Born Social is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture, offering hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. With a commitment to employee growth and development, we provide opportunities for professional advancement within a supportive environment, all while working with iconic brands in the heart of London. Our B-Corp certification reflects our dedication to social responsibility, making us not just a workplace, but a community where your contributions truly matter.

Born Social

Contact Details:

Born Social Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER (15 MONTH FTC / MATERNITY COVER)

Leverage Your Network

Tap into your existing network in corporate circles—friends, former colleagues, or even acquaintances from industry events. A temporary role often isn't widely advertised, so having someone inside a company like Born Social can give you the inside scoop or even a referral.

Stay Alert for Short-term Opportunities

Many corporate leadership roles are filled during peak business cycles or project launches. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements or staffing needs from companies like Born Social; they might be looking for temporary support during busy times.

Showcase Your Flexibility

In temporary roles, adaptability is key. When you're chatting with potential employers, emphasise your ability to quickly adjust to new challenges and demands. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully managed change or stepped into new projects on short notice.

Join Corporate Management Forums

Get involved in online corporate management forums or local business groups. Networking in these spaces can help you discover temporary opportunities as well as gather insights about industry trends. Plus, being active in these communities can help you establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate when applying to places like Born Social.

We think you need these skills to ace SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER (15 MONTH FTC / MATERNITY COVER)

Resource Management
Forecasting Demand
Pipeline Management
Commercial Acumen
Problem-Solving Skills
Data Analysis
Operational Efficiency

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Leadership Experience:For a role in corporate leadership management, it’s crucial to emphasise your past leadership experiences. Mention specific projects where you led teams or initiatives, detailing the outcomes and skills you developed. This shows that you understand what it takes to guide a team and deliver results.

Show Your Adaptability for Temporary Roles:Since this is a temporary position, employers will be looking for someone who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, explain why you're interested in a temporary role at Born Social and how your previous experience equips you to adapt quickly to new challenges.

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certifications in project management, team leadership, or similar areas, definitely include them in your CV. These credentials can set you apart from other applicants, showing you’re not just qualified but also committed to your professional growth.

Tailor Your CV to the Company Culture:Take some time to research Born Social's values and leadership style. Adjust your CV language and examples to reflect their culture, demonstrating that you're not only a good fit for the job itself but for the organisation as a whole. This adds a personal touch that can really make your application stand out.

How to prepare for a job interview at Born Social

Show Off Your Leadership Stories

For a temporary role in corporate leadership management, we want to hear your stories! Think of specific examples where you’ve led teams or projects successfully, particularly under tight deadlines or challenging situations. This isn't just about what you did, but how your actions positively impacted the team or the business.

Be Ready for Situational Questions

Expect situational interview questions where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Think of common scenarios in corporate settings, like managing a conflict or implementing a new strategy, and practice articulating your thought process and outcomes. This will help show off your ability to navigate corporate complexities.

Talk Strategy, Not Just Tasks

In a temporary leadership role, understanding the bigger picture is crucial. Brush up on strategic management principles and be prepared to discuss how you can quickly adapt and contribute to the company's objectives. Consider how you would initiate change or drive efficiency within a limited time frame—this will show that you're ready to hit the ground running!

Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability

Given the temporary nature of this position, we need to see how adaptable you are! Think of examples where you've had to adjust your leadership style or approach based on team dynamics or company culture. We want to know how you can blend in quickly while still making an impact during a short-term engagement.