Business Manager (Financial Planning Firm)

Role Purpose

The Business Manager is responsible for running the operational engine of the firm.

The purpose of this role is to ensure the business operates smoothly, efficiently and consistently, enabling the Directing Financial Advisors to focus on client work, strategic direction and growth rather than day‑to‑day operational issues.

This role exists to

• Remove friction
• Create flow
• Elevate standards
• Protect leadership time
• Develop the next generation of professionals within the firm

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Management
• Oversee day‑to‑day operations across Administration and Paraplanning.
• Lead, manage and develop operational staff, including performance management, training and ongoing development.
• Streamline and coordinate internal processes to ensure they are effective, scalable and aligned with business goals.
• Act as the first point of resolution for operational issues, preventing escalation wherever possible.
• Workflow Ownership & Delivery Control

• Full accountability for end‑to‑end client workflow, ensuring

• Client meetings are fully prepared in advance.
• Follow‑ups, reports, implementations and ongoing service actions are delivered on time and to required standards.
• Work does not drift or fall between teams.
• Deadlines are consistently met without senior leaders needing to chase.
• Running weekly workflow planning across operational teams.
• Monitoring capacity, pressure points and bottlenecks.
• Proactively reallocating work and resources when required.
• Anticipating and resolving issues before they impact client experience or leadership time.
• Client Service Excellence
• Oversee client onboarding and ongoing service processes, ensuring a seamless and professional experience.
• Maintain and improve client service standards in collaboration with financial planners or advisers.
• Act as an escalation point for complex client service issues or complaints.
• Ensure the firm's values and personality are consistently reflected in operational delivery.
• Team Leadership, Development & Culture
• Act as the primary people leader for operational teams.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, appraisals and development conversations.
• Support career development pathways, including graduates and junior team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, confidence and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for team queries, concerns and wellbeing.
• Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement
• Own and maintain the firm's core operational processes.
• Ensure processes are clearly documented, understood and consistently followed.
• Drive operational projects through to completion.
• Improve handovers, reduce duplication and remove inefficiencies.
• Support the effective use and development of systems and workflows, including CRM and planning tools.
• Key Requirements
• Proven experience in a senior operations, practice management or business management role, ideally within financial services or another regulated professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of financial planning processes and FCA‑regulated environments (or equivalent regulatory frameworks).
• Demonstrable experience leading and developing teams.
• Excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to work closely with senior leaders and influence across the business.
• High standards of attention to detail, professionalism and accountability.
• Comfortable taking ownership, making decisions and driving outcomes.
• Willingness to undertake additional duties as required to meet business needs and regulatory obligations.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age

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