Strategy Operations Manager - London

Strategy Operations Manager - London

Overview of Directorate purpose

• Made up of three Units, Corporate Affairs, Policy & Impact and Small Business, the Strategy Directorate are responsible for:
• Setting a clear impact strategy; leading on corporate narrative and positioning; developing strong relationships with decision-makers and influencers; and ensuring effective reporting, evaluation and compliance.
• Scanning the policy horizon for future opportunities; influence policy implementation; lead funding bids; and design and incubate new products and services.
• Leading London & Partners’ work in relation to the everyday economy – this means helping London’s entrepreneurs to thrive.

Purpose of the role

The Operations Manager, Strategy & Small Business is responsible for working with the Head of Operations, Strategy & Small Business to design, implement and maintain ways of working for the Strategy & Small Business Directorate. This will involve designing processes and systems that ensure strong financial management, governance, business planning, reporting and compliance mechanisms. These measures are essential to support the Directorate which leads on high profile internal and external workstreams and programmes including L&Ps work with London’s entrepreneurs and Small Business owners.

The successful candidate will be capable of independently managing complex coordination across teams working across London to support small businesses and having oversight of critical projects. They will be required to lead end-to-end projects with various internal and external stakeholders to support the delivery of Directorate objectives.

The successful candidate will be able to work independently, proactively and take initiative but escalate issues and decisions when necessary. They will also have an interest in and commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Tasks

Monitoring & Reporting

• Work with the Head of Operations to establish and maintain reporting systems that effectively communicate research findings, KPIs, and day-to-day business metrics to internal stakeholders, enabling data-driven decision-making.
• Systematically gather, analyse and present precise and timely performance data alongside insightful recommendations to the Small Business Senior Leadership Team based on this data.
• Guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and compliance of data used for both internal and external reporting.
• Draft compliance reports for external funders, ensuring the inclusion of accurate information regarding outputs and outcomes where necessary.

Budget management

• Use corporately produced data to create and maintain financial management information including budget trackers and forecasting documentation to enable effective planning and decision making.
• Conduct analysis of financial reports to identify trends enabling informed decisions regarding budget allocation.
• Lead on monthly account reviews and forecast updates with budget holders.
• Draft compliance reports for external funders, ensuring the inclusion of accurate information regarding spend, forecasts and variances where necessary.

Governance

• Systematically identify, collate and report on directorate risks and issues as appropriate, and lead on resolution of issues as they arise.
• Establish and implement robust governance processes around various areas including decision making, change control and post project/programme reviews.
• Develop clear document workflows, standard operating procedures and ensure consistency around documentation.
• Identify ways to enhance collaboration and streamline working practices within the Directorate as well as with other internal stakeholders.
• The post holder will also work on other operational and programme management tasks which fall under the Small Business Operations team’s remit as required.

You’ll have/bring

• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and administration (Essential)
• Project, programme and portfolio management (Essential)
• Qualification or certification in project management (Desired)
• Excellent IT skills including knowledge of MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Dynamics and Office 365) and Intranet/Internet systems as well as an advanced level of MS Excel
• Experience using Power BI and CRM systems e.g. Salesforce would be desirable.
• Proven strong organisational skills with the ability to use initiative to plan, prioritise and allocate a heavy workload effectively and respond flexibly to rapidly changing and conflicting priorities.
• Motivated, well-organized, and dependable
• Ability to demonstrate a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience of managing projects and driving actions forward
• Experience working as a key member of a team, able to take own initiative and work flexibly.
• Proven ability to communicate information effectively and confidently to a wide range of internal and external contacts and at a senior level

Personal style and behaviour:

• Proactive team player
• Demonstrates an attitude conducive continuous improvement.
• Effectively contributes creative and innovative solutions to projects and objectives.
• Adopts a learning mindset, using challenges and opportunities improve team and personal performance.
• Able to maintain successful relationships with internal and external networks that work to mutual benefit.
• Able to clearly communicate when engaging with internal & external stakeholders, in confident and articulate manner.
• Successfully delivers project tasks on time and to a high standard, using all available resources.
• Has a passion for London.

You’ll Get

• To join a fast paced, flexible and inclusive social enterprise
• Hybrid working environment
• 30 days’ holiday in addition to UK public holidays
• Excellent employer pension contribution and Medical Cash Plan

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

London's diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time.

We encourage applications from all sections of the community.