Operations and Experience Lead (Founding Role) in Sherborne
Operations and Experience Lead (Founding Role)

Operations and Experience Lead (Founding Role) in Sherborne

Sherborne Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Origin Immersive Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operations and create a welcoming café and VR experience from the ground up.
  • Company: Join Origin, a unique space blending café culture with immersive VR.
  • Benefits: Flexible salary, hands-on role, and the chance to shape a new venture.
  • Other info: Enjoy a dynamic environment where your ideas can flourish.
  • Why this job: Be a founding member and make a real impact on a fresh concept.
  • Qualifications: Experience in operations or hospitality is a plus, but mindset matters more.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Origin is a new kind of space — combining a calm, high-quality café environment with immersive VR experiences and social connection. We’re creating a place where people can step out of the noise, feel at ease, and enjoy something genuinely different. We’re looking for a founding team member to help bring this to life — not just by managing operations, but by shaping how the space works and feels from day one.

The Role

This is a hands-on, early-stage role focused on turning a vision into a working, welcoming space.

Pre-opening (Fit-out Phase)

  • Work alongside builders, suppliers, and founders during the refit of the space.
  • Help ensure the space is not only built well, but works well in practice.
  • Walk the space regularly, thinking through real customer and staff flow.
  • Contribute to decisions on layout, positioning, and setup.
  • Coordinate practical elements (equipment, deliveries, setup timelines).
  • Help set up core systems (POS, bookings, stock, cleaning, safety).
  • Manage costs to ensure the project stays on budget.
  • Recruit for other strategic positions.
  • Ensure the operation complies with health and safety, and security requirements.

Post-opening (Operational Phase)

  • Oversee the day-to-day running of the venue.
  • Support and guide front-of-house team members.
  • Ensure consistency across café and VR experiences.
  • Manage stock, suppliers, and core admin.
  • Identify and solve problems early, before they escalate.
  • Handle customer issues to safeguard the reputation of the company.

What matters most

We’re looking for someone who is:

  • Practical and capable — able to get things done and keep things moving.
  • Observant and thoughtful — notices details that affect how a space feels.
  • Calm and steady — especially when things are busy or evolving.
  • Comfortable with ambiguity — able to make progress without everything defined.
  • Naturally takes ownership — sees things through without needing constant direction.

Experience in operations, hospitality, events, or similar environments is helpful — but mindset and judgement matter more.

A key part of the role

At Origin, how the space feels matters as much as how it runs. We want people to feel:

  • welcome
  • calm
  • at ease

This role plays a central part in protecting that — through decisions about layout, flow, systems, and standards.

What makes this different

This is a founding role. You won’t be stepping into a finished system — you’ll be helping create it. That means:

  • Real responsibility.
  • Input into decisions.
  • The opportunity to shape how things are done.

A good fit if you…

  • Enjoy building and improving systems.
  • Like being on-site and involved in how things actually work.
  • Can think ahead and spot issues early.
  • Take pride in creating smooth, well-run environments.
  • Balance efficiency with attention to detail.

Not the right fit if you…

  • Prefer highly structured roles with everything predefined.
  • Focus only on process, not people or environment.
  • Avoid decision-making or ownership.
  • Prefer to manage from a distance rather than being present.

Salary negotiable but you will need to be able to justify your expectations with relevant experience.

Operations and Experience Lead (Founding Role) in Sherborne employer: Origin Immersive Ltd

At Origin, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer by fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our team members to shape the future of our unique café and VR space. As a founding team member, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your role, contribute to meaningful decisions, and enjoy a supportive environment that values creativity and personal growth. Located in Sherborne, our commitment to creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere extends to our employees, ensuring that everyone feels valued and inspired to make a difference.
Origin Immersive Ltd

Contact Detail:

Origin Immersive Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations and Experience Lead (Founding Role) in Sherborne

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Origin's vision and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out in conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their founding team.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry or those connected to Origin. Attend events or join online forums where you can chat about operations and hospitality. Building relationships can open doors and give you insider info on the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your hands-on skills! When you get the chance to meet the team, share examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Whether it’s managing a busy café or coordinating an event, let them see your practical side in action.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to contribute to creating a welcoming space at Origin.

We think you need these skills to ace Operations and Experience Lead (Founding Role) in Sherborne

Project Management
Operational Oversight
Customer Service
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Health and Safety Compliance
Team Leadership
Budget Management
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Experience in Hospitality
Event Coordination
Systems Development
Observational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for creating a unique space shine through. We want to see how excited you are about blending operations with an immersive experience!

Be Specific About Your Experience: Share concrete examples from your past roles that highlight your practical skills and ability to manage operations. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges and improved environments in the past.

Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, make sure to mention times when you've identified issues early and taken action. We’re looking for someone who can keep things running smoothly, even when the going gets tough!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.

How to prepare for a job interview at Origin Immersive Ltd

✨Know the Space

Before your interview, take some time to understand the concept of Origin. Familiarise yourself with how a café can blend with VR experiences and social interaction. This will help you articulate how you can contribute to creating a welcoming environment that feels calm and inviting.

✨Show Your Practical Side

This role is all about getting things done. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed operations or improved systems. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you’ve tackled challenges in dynamic environments.

✨Emphasise Your Observational Skills

Since the role requires a keen eye for detail, prepare to discuss how you've noticed and addressed issues in previous roles. Think about specific instances where your observations led to improvements in customer experience or operational efficiency.

✨Demonstrate Ownership and Initiative

The interviewers will be looking for someone who takes ownership of their work. Share stories that showcase your ability to make decisions independently and how you've driven projects forward without needing constant direction. This will show that you're ready for the responsibilities of a founding role.

Operations and Experience Lead (Founding Role) in Sherborne
Origin Immersive Ltd
Location: Sherborne

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>