Office Manager

Office Manager

Full-Time 28000 - 32000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Keep our Bristol office running smoothly and support the team with logistics and HR.
  • Company: Join a close-knit contemporary art gallery that values every contribution.
  • Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and a creative work environment.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, evolving role.
  • Why this job: Be the backbone of a growing team in a dynamic art setting.
  • Qualifications: Experience as an Office Manager and strong organisational skills required.

The predicted salary is between 28000 - 32000 £ per year.

12 month fixed term contract

Location: Bristol office-based

Hours: 15 hours per week, with flexible, mutually agreed hours

Salary: £28,000–£32,000 FTE, pro-rated to days worked, depending on experience

Contract type: Contractor – Part-time

About Lougher Contemporary: Lougher Contemporary is an online contemporary art gallery based in Bristol. We work with some of the most recognised names in contemporary art, offering collectors carefully curated works with a focus on quality, knowledge, and service. We are a small, close-knit team, where everyone’s contribution is visible and valued. We move quickly, care about what we do, and take pride in the experience we create for our clients and for each other.

The role: The Office Manager is the operational backbone of Lougher Contemporary. This is a varied, hands-on role: you will keep the business running smoothly day to day, giving everyone else the space to focus on what they do best. This suits someone who takes ownership, uses their initiative, and is comfortable working independently in a small business environment. We are looking for someone who anticipates what is needed and acts accordingly. As the business grows, there may be scope for responsibilities to expand.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Running the office: You will keep our Bristol office running smoothly, managing suppliers, planning ahead for a growing team, and making sure the practical infrastructure of the business is always in good shape.
  • Supporting the team: From the MD's diary to team-wide logistics and performance tracking, you will be the co-ordination engine that keeps everyone moving in the right direction, making sure that information reaches the right people at the right time.
  • People, HR, and team experience: You will take care of the people side of the business: from HR administration and onboarding, to celebrating team milestones and helping maintain the kind of environment people want to work in.
  • Compliance and administration: You will keep us on the right side of our health and safety obligations and support the team with finance and recruitment tasks that keep the business running properly.

What we’re looking for: We have listed essential and desirable experience below, but we are aware that the right person may not tick every box. If you have the core experience and the right approach, we encourage you to apply.

Essential:

  • Proven experience as an Office Manager in a small to mid-sized business, with the ability to manage a varied workload autonomously.
  • Demonstrable experience managing business systems, tools, and software – taking ownership of the operational infrastructure rather than simply using it.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, able to represent the business professionally in correspondence with external parties.
  • Strong organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
  • Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite; comfortable with cloud-based tools and able to pick up new systems quickly.

Desirable:

  • Experience working in a creative, luxury, or art-related environment.
  • Familiarity with HR administration tools, like absence management systems.
  • Experience supporting health and safety compliance in a small business setting.
  • Some exposure to finance administration and payment processes.
  • Familiarity with SharePoint or similar intranet or document management tools.
  • Experience providing executive or senior administrative support to a director, founder, or equivalent.

Personal qualities:

  • Approachable – this person will be a point of contact for the whole team and needs to be someone people feel comfortable going to.
  • Calm and composed under pressure, with the ability to prioritise effectively when demands conflict.
  • Adaptable – Lougher moves quickly and this role will evolve with it.
  • Trustworthy and reliable, with a high level of discretion and sound judgement, particularly when handling sensitive and confidential business information.
  • A proactive, solutions-oriented approach – able to identify what needs doing and act without being directed.

How to apply: Please send your CV and a formal covering letter by 8th May 2026. Tell us about your experience, why this role appeals to you and what you would bring to the team. We review applications on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right person, so we encourage you to apply promptly. We are not accepting applications made directly through LinkedIn.

Office Manager employer: Lougher

Lougher Contemporary is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in the heart of Bristol. As a small, close-knit team, we value each member's contributions and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth, all while maintaining a flexible work schedule that promotes a healthy work-life balance. Join us to be part of a creative atmosphere where your initiative and ownership are not only welcomed but celebrated.
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Contact Detail:

Lougher Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Office Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at Lougher Contemporary. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Since Lougher Contemporary is all about quality and service, think of examples from your past that showcase how you embody these traits.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your organisational skills during the interview! Bring a portfolio or examples of how you've managed office operations in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to keep things running smoothly.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows you’re proactive, which is exactly what they’re looking for!

We think you need these skills to ace Office Manager

Office Management
HR Administration
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Attention to Detail
Microsoft Office Suite
Cloud-Based Tools
Business Systems Management
Health and Safety Compliance
Finance Administration
Document Management Tools
Proactive Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Discretion and Sound Judgement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get a sense of who you are, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the role and the company.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience that aligns with the Office Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate how your skills match what we’re looking for.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why this role excites you. Share specific examples of your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we’re not accepting applications through LinkedIn, so make sure to submit your CV and cover letter via our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lougher

✨Know the Company Inside Out

Before your interview, take some time to research Lougher Contemporary. Understand their mission, values, and the kind of art they showcase. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.

✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills

As an Office Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong organisational skills. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Be ready to discuss how you prioritise and keep everything running smoothly, especially in a small team environment.

✨Be Proactive in Your Approach

Lougher Contemporary is looking for someone who takes initiative. During the interview, share instances where you've anticipated needs or solved problems without being directed. This will highlight your proactive nature and ability to adapt in a fast-paced setting.

✨Prepare Questions That Matter

At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about the team dynamics, the company's growth plans, or how they celebrate team milestones. This shows your interest in contributing positively to the workplace culture.

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