At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage operations, optimise systems, and support a dynamic consulting team.
- Company: Cape Consulting, a supportive firm helping SMEs and charities thrive.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, hybrid work, and a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy and be valued as a key player in our team.
- Why this job: Play a pivotal role in shaping operations and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in operations, strong tech skills, and a process-driven mindset.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Love being the person who makes everything run like clockwork? At Cape Consulting, we help SMEs and charities navigate growth, change and complex people challenges with practical, commercial HR advice. As we grow, we need an Operations Manager to become the operational backbone of our business – owning our systems, safeguarding compliance, and making sure our consulting team has everything they need to deliver brilliant client work. If you take genuine pride in owning systems, optimising tech tools, calm compliance, and being the trusted person everyone relies on, we’d love to hear from you.
Why Cape Consulting?
- Play a genuinely pivotal role – this is the engine room, not a back‑office afterthought.
- Real autonomy to own your systems and shape how the business runs.
- Work closely with a friendly, close-knit consulting team who’ll trust you with the details that matter.
- Variety every day – finance, compliance, IT, and managing projects all in one role.
- Help build the infrastructure that lets growing SMEs and charities get the support they deserve.
The Opportunity
You’ll be the trusted, behind‑the‑scenes lead who keeps Cape Consulting’s operations seamless so the rest of the team can focus on doing their best work for clients. Part‑time (flexible hours considered as long as they’re spread over 5 days a week). Hybrid working. Regular attendance at our Essex and Hertfordshire offices (and occasional client office visits), with remote working flexibility.
What you’ll be doing
- Managing the end‑to‑end billing cycle – invoicing, retainers, and accounts receivable.
- Partnering with our external accountants on reporting, expenses and payroll inputs.
- Overseeing company insurance renewals and ensuring continuous, compliant cover.
- Owning our digital filing systems, keeping client files, HR toolkits and templates organised and accessible.
- Safeguarding GDPR compliance for sensitive ER documentation and client records.
- Acting as our internal “Super User” across Microsoft 365/Google Workspace, CRM, HR and time‑tracking platforms.
- Managing IT onboarding and offboarding for the team and associate consultants.
- Mapping consultant capacity and project timelines to keep client work flowing smoothly.
- Coordinating new client onboarding, from SLAs to system set‑up.
- Supporting our associate consultant network, tracking hours and deliverables.
About you
- 3+ years in an operations, coordination or office management role, ideally within professional services, consultancy or an agency.
- Expected to be a natural “Super User” who loves mastering and optimising tools like Google Workspace, Xero and HubSpot.
- Comfortable with numbers, invoicing pipelines and working closely with accountants.
- Process‑driven, with a knack for spotting gaps and building structures that fix them for good.
- Highly discreet, trustworthy and reliable when handling sensitive business and client data.
Why you’ll love working here
We believe a business runs best when the people behind the scenes are valued just as much as those in front of clients. You’ll get real ownership, a supportive team around you, and the satisfaction of knowing the whole consultancy runs better because of you.
Operations Manager employer: CAPE
At Cape Consulting, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the vital role of our Operations Manager in ensuring seamless operations. With a supportive and close-knit team, you will enjoy real autonomy in shaping our systems while benefiting from flexible hybrid working arrangements in our Essex and Hertfordshire offices. We offer a dynamic work culture where your contributions are recognised, and you have ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, making every day rewarding and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tap into Leadership Networks
Join industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn or attend local management meetups. Networking with fellow leaders can open doors to part-time roles and help you get a feel for the corporate culture at companies like CAPE.
✨Leverage Your Existing Connections
Don’t hesitate to ask your professional contacts if they know of any part-time leadership positions. Sometimes it's all about who you know, and your connections might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't publicly advertised.
✨Spotlight Your Leadership Skills
When you show up to interviews or networking events, make sure to highlight your leadership experience and successes. Tailor your discussion points to how you can bring value to CAPE in a part-time capacity, focusing on your ability to drive team performance.
✨Consider Consulting for Flexibility
If you're keen on part-time leadership roles, think about contracting or consulting. It can provide you with a broader range of experiences and allows you to build a diverse portfolio of projects, showcasing your leadership across different challenges.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Leadership Style:Incorporate examples from your experiences that highlight your leadership style and effectiveness. We want to see how you've managed teams or contributed to strategic initiatives, even if it was in a part-time capacity. Make sure to reflect on your decision-making process and any measurable outcomes you've achieved.
Cater to the Corporate Environment:Tailor your CV to highlight skills that are crucial for corporate leadership, like strategic thinking, problem-solving, and people management. Don’t forget to mention relevant coursework or certifications that align with the part-time role. It's all about showing how you can bring value to CAPE through your academic and professional background.
Make Your Part-Time Availability Clear:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Let us know how many hours you can dedicate each week and how your schedule fits with the needs of CAPE. This helps us understand how you can seamlessly integrate into our team while balancing your commitments.
Engage with Our Vision:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for CAPE’s mission and how your values align with our corporate culture. We want to see your passion for leadership and management in action, so don't hold back on conveying what draws you to this specific part-time opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at CAPE
✨Show Off Your Strategic Thinking
In corporate leadership, they’re looking for someone who can think strategically and make tough decisions. Be ready to discuss past leadership experiences where you had to analyse complex situations and come up with solutions. Think of using the STAR method to structure your answers—it's a game changer for giving clear examples!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect plenty of behavioural questions during your interview with CAPE. They might ask how you've handled team conflicts or how you’ve inspired others. Brush up on key leadership theories or practices you've applied before, so you can demonstrate your fit for a part-time role without sacrificing experience.
✨Know Your Numbers
Even in part-time corporate roles, you might be asked to discuss key performance indicators or metrics relevant to the position. Brush up on how you’ve used data to drive decisions or track project success. It's a good way to show you understand the business side of leadership and can contribute meaningfully from day one!
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Commitment
In a part-time role, the ability to adapt to changing priorities is key. Be prepared to talk about how you manage your time and remain committed to your responsibilities. Share a few anecdotes showcasing your dedication and how you maintain high performance even with part-time hours. It's all about showing you can make a difference without being full-time!
