At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations of our workplace and support executive functions.
- Company: Join Sovereign AI, a leader in AI infrastructure and software solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a security-conscious and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-critical sector while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in workplace operations and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
About Sovereign AI
Sovereign AI is a UK-based AI infrastructure and software solutions provider building the next generation of sovereign-grade AI data centres across EMEA. Designed for resilience, security, and scale, we enable commercial and government customers to deploy advanced AI with confidence in environments where performance, reliability, and compliance are non-negotiable. Focused on regulated and mission-critical sectors including Government, Defence, Healthcare, and Financial Services, we are creating the trusted foundations for AI adoption at scale, combining robust infrastructure with disciplined governance to support long-term innovation and national-level capability.
This Role
As Workplace Operations Manager, you'll own the day-to-day running of our physical workplace and executive support function, leading the Office Manager and Executive Assistant team to deliver a working environment that matches the seriousness of our mission. You'll bring consistency, discretion, and operational rigour to workplace services and executive support, working closely with People, IT, and Security to ensure our office supports the way a defence and government-facing organisation needs to operate. This is a hands-on leadership role with real autonomy over budget, suppliers, and how the team runs day to day.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Office Manager and Executive Assistant team, setting priorities, standards, and workload
- Own end-to-end office operations, including facilities, health and safety, supplier relationships, and budget
- Define and maintain executive support standards across the business
- Own the workplace operations budget, tracking spend and identifying efficiencies
- Partner with People, IT, and Security to ensure the workplace supports secure working practices
- Manage relationships with landlords, building management, and facilities contractors
- Develop and maintain office policies covering health and safety, incident response, and access
- Own space planning and office moves as the team grows
- Act as escalation point for workplace and executive support issues
- Drive continuous improvement in workplace experience
Experience
- 5+ years' experience in workplace operations, office management, or facilities management, including at least 2 years managing a team
- Experience managing or working closely with Executive Assistants supporting senior leadership
- Experience managing supplier and vendor relationships, including contract negotiation and performance
- Track record of managing office budgets and delivering cost efficiencies
- Experience operating in a security-conscious, regulated, or government/defence-adjacent environment (desirable)
- Experience supporting office moves, space planning, or workplace change projects (desirable)
Skills
- Strong people management skills, with the ability to set standards and develop a small team
- High discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive or confidential information
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple competing priorities
- Clear, confident communicator able to engage senior leadership and external suppliers
- Practical problem-solver, comfortable making decisions independently
Qualifications
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
- IOSH or NEBOSH health and safety qualification, or willingness to obtain within first 6 months (desirable)
- Relevant facilities management or workplace operations certification (desirable)
Workplace Operations Manager Operations · London · employer: Sovereign AI
Sovereign AI is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets infrastructure. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to engage in meaningful projects that shape the future of AI technology across critical sectors. The company fosters a collaborative culture, providing unique opportunities to work with senior stakeholders and partners, ensuring that every employee plays a vital role in driving national-level capabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Workplace Operations Manager Operations · London ·
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We think you need these skills to ace Workplace Operations Manager Operations · London ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Sovereign AI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Sovereign AI. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sovereign AI
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Sovereign AI, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Sovereign AI, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Sovereign AI could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Sovereign AI as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
