Operations Manager

Our Vision, Mission & Values

OUR VISION A society where everyone, regardless of background has equal opportunity to achieve long-term professional and personal success.

OUR MISSION To prepare talented students from underrepresented backgrounds for career success through industry-specific education and training.

OUR VALUES

• Diversity: We value teamwork and champion diversity in all its forms, including diversity of thought.
• Innovation: We foster a culture of creativity and forward thinking. We continuously seek new ideas to support our service users while ensuring the meaningful engagement of our sponsors.
• Integrity: We act with integrity and communicate openly with all our stakeholders.
• Collaboration: We provide a collaborative and rewarding environment with continuous personal and professional development opportunities for all.

Overview

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO London) is looking to hire an Operations Manager (0.8 fte) reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. We would like the postholder to be in the office 3 days per week but are flexible about how the 4 days p/w are arranged over the working week (Monday to Friday).

Role Description

• Office Operations & Facilities
• Digital Systems & Information Management
• Compliance, Risk & Safeguarding
• Internal Communications & Governance Support
• Events & Staff Experience

Supplier & Contract Management

• Maintain and continually improve the organisation’s central supplier list.
• Oversee renewal cycles managed by account owners and ensure timely decision making.
• Manage all office-based supplier relationships and coordinate contract renewals.
• Manage some SEO London digital service suppliers (e.g., videoconferencing tools, analytics platforms, IT services, productivity licences, and password management solutions) including renewals and monitoring.
• Oversee organisational insurance policies, including renewals and compliance checks.
• Manage mobile phone contracts.
• Manage office building operations including maintenance, health and safety processes, fire safety equipment, alarm systems, door access, signage and the creation of staff ‘how-to’ guidance – liaising with landlord and managing agent where necessary.
• Oversee office services including telephony systems, printing services and general operational infrastructure.
• Manage office supplies ordering and stock level coordination.
• Lead on management of physical assets including phones, laptops and related equipment.
• Maintain the organisation’s intranet and liaise with internal page owners to ensure content accuracy.
• Monitor and manage incoming enquiries via the main information inbox, ensuring appropriate triage and referrals.
• Lead the SharePoint cleanup project for 2026 and act as the operational owner for ongoing digital workspace organisation.
• Coordinate phishing and digital security training reviews for the annual training cycle.
• Manage DBS checks and three year renewals, including coordinating processes for staff, schools related activity, and Board of Trustees safeguarding compliance.
• Track completion of organisational compliance training and follow up with teams as required.
• Lead the review and ongoing improvement of business continuity and crisis management procedures.
• Contribute operational updates and insights to weekly full team meeting materials.
• Provide scheduling, coordination and administrative support for Board and Committee meetings.
• Support the organisation of staff led groups including oversight of budgets, monitoring activities, attendance and feedback collection.
• Support organisation of the annual staff away day, including planning, logistics, and post-event evaluation.
• Deliver HR/office induction for new staff to ensure smooth onboarding into systems, processes and culture.

Skills And Experience

Essential

• Experience managing supplier relationships and contract renewal cycles.
• Knowledge of office operations and facilities management, including maintenance and health & safety.
• Experience managing physical assets (e.g., laptops, phones).
• Demonstrated ability to maintain intranet and other digital workspace systems.
• Aware of organisational compliance processes.
• Experience delivering operational or systems-based inductions.
• Experience managing safeguarding-related checks and renewals.
• Exposure to business continuity or crisis-management processes.

Desirable

• Experience coordinating training cycles.
• Experience supporting staff-led groups and feedback processes.
• Experience supporting governance or committee meetings.
• Experience organising staff events or away-days.
• Ability to undertake small maintenance tasks and/or source contractors.

Behaviours

• Highly organised, detail-oriented and proactive.
• Discreet and trustworthy with confidential information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Practical and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative and approachable.

What we offer

• Annual Leave: 28 days + Bank Holidays– pro-rata.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policy.
• Flexible working and a lovely office space by Borough Station.
• Benefits: Employee Assistance Programme And more…

Closing date for applications

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 26 February

First and Second interview: w/b 2 March 2026

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply as soon as possible. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

Equal opportunities Statement

SEO London is committed to ensuring that no prospective or current employee is discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, gender, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation, employment status, socioeconomic background, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic. We also strive to avoid disadvantaging individuals due to any condition or requirement that is not demonstrably justifiable.

About Us

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, Ltd. (SEO London) is a UK-registered charity delivering superior educational, training, and mentoring support to young people from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. SEO London programmes focus on pre-professional development (Schools programmes), career access (Careers programmes) and long-term success within elite global industries (Alumni programmes). Launched in 2000, SEO London has subsequently delivered two decades of transformative leadership in the UK workplace diversity and inclusion segment. Thousands of SEO London alumni now work in the UK and global corporates and firms, many holding senior leadership positions.