Job Posting Title Senior Operations Executive in Southampton

About Us

At The Harris Poll UK, we exist to understand consumer needs in a demanding world. We help organisations stay closer to the people they serve through research that combines hard data with human truths. Our work spans customer experience, reputation, thought leadership, innovation and brand strategy, helping clients make smarter decisions in a world where consumer expectations are constantly evolving.

Overview

Our Senior Operations Executives are responsible for managing all operational aspects of our research projects and programmes. They continually develop their expertise in our in-house technology and chosen partner platforms, understanding their strengths and use cases in depth to design the best operational solutions for complex research demands. They use this expertise to advise research teams, solve problems, ensure the successful delivery of clients’ research objectives and ultimately enable market-leading research. This role requires a highly focused and logical mindset, outstanding attention to detail and the ability to quickly build deep expertise in new technology. Exceptional communication and organisational skills are essential, alongside the ability to think creatively, innovate and find solutions when challenges arise. Senior Operations Executives are expected to take ownership, work proactively, collaborate effectively across teams and continually look for opportunities to develop their expertise and improve how we work.

Responsibilities

• Project & Programme Management
  • Own the operational delivery of a variety of research projects and programmes, from survey programming and quality assurance through to fieldwork and data delivery.
  • Support research teams with the delivery of strategic reporting where required.
  • Deliver projects on time, within budget and to a consistently high standard, balancing quality, pace and commercial considerations.
  • Manage competing priorities effectively, maintaining oversight across multiple projects and programmes and making sound judgements about where attention and resource are needed most.
  • Proactively manage in-life projects and programmes, identifying potential risks early and taking appropriate action to mitigate them.
  • Communicate clearly, accurately and proactively with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring expectations, progress, risks and changes are well managed.
  • Co-ordinate effectively across Research, Research Operations and Development teams to ensure smooth project execution, clear ownership and effective handovers.
• Innovation & Optimisation
  • Develop deep expertise in research tools and technologies.
  • Build in-depth knowledge of The Harris Poll UK’s continually evolving proprietary technology and chosen partner solutions, using that expertise to recommend the right approaches and optimise research outcomes.
  • Drive process improvements and efficiencies.
  • Investigate and resolve technical issues.
  • Continually build your own capability.
  • Share knowledge and innovation.
• Client Management
  • Manage client requests directly and proactively, providing clear, timely and confident operational support throughout project delivery.
  • Take ownership of the operational client experience, anticipating needs, managing expectations and helping ensure consistently high-quality delivery.
  • Build a strong understanding of client needs, priorities and account-specific processes.
  • Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders.
• Team Support
  • Contribute actively to team resourcing and prioritisation.
  • Act as a trusted operational adviser to research teams.
  • Support the development of junior team members.
  • Champion established processes and quality standards.
  • Contribute positively to team culture and collaboration.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience working within a research operations, project delivery or similarly fast-paced operational environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with clear, confident and effective communication skills.
• A positive, proactive mindset, with curiosity and a genuine appetite to learn and develop.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The confidence to take ownership and work independently.
• Strong digital capability, including confidence using Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with simple programming languages, such as HTML and CSS.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Senior Operations Executive is highly organised, independently motivated and brings exceptional attention to detail to everything they do. They take ownership of their work, manage competing priorities confidently and use sound judgement to keep projects and programmes running smoothly. They are curious and keen to challenge themselves, continually building their expertise in new technologies, tools and approaches. They combine technical knowledge with creative problem-solving, finding effective solutions to complex challenges and identifying opportunities to make the way we work better. Above all, they inspire confidence in colleagues and clients. They are proactive, dependable and collaborative, using their operational expertise to advise others, champion quality and drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Benefits

• 30 days Annual Leave + 8 Bank Holidays
• Flexible hybrid working model
• Private medical insurance, dental and cash plan
• Enhanced parental leave – Maternity/Adoption and Paternity leave
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts Platform
• Dog friendly office in Southampton

Compensation

£27,000 - £29,000