Job Description:

Part-Time | Manchester City Centre | Up to £45,000 pro rata

Are you someone who naturally spots what could work better, takes ownership and turns ideas into practical improvements?

We're recruiting for a growing executive search business looking for an experienced, commercially minded Operations & Executive Support Manager to work closely with its Founder.

This is not a traditional PA role. The business needs someone who can take responsibility for how the company operates day to day, identify opportunities to improve efficiency, introduce better systems and processes, and help build the operational foundations for continued growth.

You'll also provide direct executive support to the Founder, so this role would suit someone who combines strong organisational skills with a genuine business operations mindset. You might currently be an Operations Manager, Business Manager, Executive Assistant with substantial operational responsibility, or an experienced all-rounder in a small or growing business.

You'll become a trusted partner to the Founder, helping to keep the business organised, efficient and commercially focused.

Business Operations & Process Improvement

• Take ownership of day-to-day business operations, identifying gaps, inefficiencies and opportunities to improve how the business runs.

• Assess operational needs and develop practical solutions that support efficiency, consistency and growth.

• Design, document and implement SOPs, workflows, checklists and operating procedures, ensuring processes are clear, repeatable and fit for purpose.

• Review existing systems and ways of working, challenging unnecessary steps and introducing better approaches.

• Identify opportunities to reduce administrative overheads, improve resource utilisation and manage costs effectively.

• Explore and implement appropriate technology, AI tools and automation to streamline routine tasks and improve productivity.

• Establish and maintain effective systems for tracking actions, deadlines, suppliers, payments, records and key business activities.

• Help the business scale by putting the right operational structure and processes in place as it grows.

Commercial & Business Support

• Work closely with the Founder to understand business priorities and translate them into practical operational improvements.

• Take a proactive approach to identifying what the business needs, rather than waiting for instructions.

• Consider the commercial impact of decisions, balancing efficiency, cost, quality and the overall needs of the business.

• Take ownership of projects and operational issues from identifying the problem through to implementing and reviewing the solution.

• Support the development of a well-organised, professional and efficient business environment.

Executive Support

• Manage the Founder's diary, meetings, travel arrangements and correspondence.

• Prepare documents, meeting materials, agendas and follow-up actions.

• Handle confidential information and ensure priorities and commitments are managed effectively.

• Anticipate requirements, resolve issues proactively and free up the Founder's time to focus on business development and growth.

Office & Business Administration

• Oversee suppliers, invoices, expenses, payments and general business records.

• Coordinate office requirements, equipment, services and supplier relationships.

• Support recruitment administration, job descriptions, onboarding and the development of consistent new-starter processes.

• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure important tasks and deadlines are followed through.

• Take ownership of the practical details that keep a small business running smoothly.

We're looking for someone who combines operational capability with commercial awareness and a hands-on approach.

You'll ideally have:

• Strong business operations experience, with evidence of taking ownership beyond routine administration.

• Experience identifying operational problems, assessing what needs to change and implementing effective solutions.

• A track record of developing or improving SOPs, workflows, systems or processes.

• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of costs, efficiency, business priorities and how operational decisions affect performance.

• The confidence to challenge existing ways of working and make sensible recommendations.

• Experience supporting a Founder, Director or senior leadership team, including diary, meeting and confidential administrative support.

• Practical experience overseeing suppliers, invoices, expenses, office operations or other business administration.

• An interest in using technology, AI and automation to make processes more efficient.

• The ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and follow projects through to completion.

Experience in a small business, SME, start-up or growing organisation would be particularly valuable, as would experience working directly with a Founder or business owner.

You don't need to have held every responsibility listed above. What matters most is that you can demonstrate how you have improved the way a business operates, taken ownership of problems and delivered practical results.

• Salary: Up to £45,000 pro rata, depending on experience.

• Hours: 18 hours per week.

• Preferred pattern: 10am-2.30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

• Alternative: Three full days, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

• Location: Manchester city centre, close to St Peter's Square.

• Working arrangement: Office-based.

• £1,000 annual personal development and training budget.

• Christmas bonus.

• Free breakfast and snacks.

• Pilates classes.

• A flexible, supportive environment that recognises the needs of working parents.

• Potential for the role to develop into a full-time position as the business grows.

This is an opportunity to have a genuine influence on how a growing business operates. You won't simply inherit a set of processes and maintain them. You'll have the scope to identify what needs improving, introduce better ways of working and build systems that support the company's next stage of growth.

You'll work closely with the Founder, have visibility across the business and see the direct impact of your ideas and decisions.

If you're an operationally minded professional who enjoys solving problems, improving businesses and combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, we'd like to hear from you.

UK Staffing Group is a specialist recruitment business focused on connecting talented professionals with the right opportunities. We take a consultative approach to recruitment, building relationships with both candidates and clients to achieve the right long-term fit.

Equal Opportunities

UK Staffing Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.