Operations Manager

The Role

Were looking for a commercially-minded process-driven Operations Manager to drive operational efficiency financial performance and scalable growth across our UK and US teams someone who lives and breathes process fixing capacity bottlenecks and proactively manages commercial impacts of delivery delays.

This role sits at the core of agency operations connecting client services resourcing finance and leadership to ensure projects run on time on budget and to the highest standard.

Youll be responsible for improving how we work leading process optimisation system migrations and operational change that enhance delivery resource management and profitability.

This is adelivery-first operations role built for someone whos grown from project management or production within a digital creative or SEO agency and knows how to keep projects and people moving without chaos.

Core Purpose

• Keep the agencys delivery machine running smoothly day-to-day
• Plan forecast and manage resources and team capacity across SEO content digital PR and creative teams
• Drive efficiency consistency and accountability in project delivery by facilitating the creation and implementation of delivery processes
• Enable high-performing profitable delivery across SEO PR content and creative teams.
• Build a calm predictable rhythm of delivery team work that supports growth efficiency and and visibility across UK and US

Key Objectives

• Maintain an average of 80% utilisation across delivery teams
• Partner with Finance and Leadership to proactively forecast resourcing needs based on sales pipeline revenue projections and company growth plans
• Identify and reduce margin erosion factors (scope creep inefficient resource use delays).
• Support on-time on-budget delivery of projects (90% on-time).
• Achieve 95% revenue recognition retention through accurate forecasting and project tracking.
• Ensure team and individual capacity is managed proactively (over and under)
• Run weekly Delivery & Capacity Meetings aligning Finance Client Services and Delivery teams.
• Drive proactive management of freelancers and partner resources to protect margins and maximise revenue
• Ensure real-time visibility of delivery health and financial performance through dashboards.
• Drive the successful implementation of new systems tools and processes that increase productivity and scalability.
• Support onboarding and enablement of new projects and staff
  

Responsibilities

Delivery Operations & Workflow

• Own day-to-day delivery operations to ensure efficiency profitability and client satisfaction.
• Partner with Client Services to ensure project status resourcing and forecasts are always up to date
• Oversee project scheduling capacity management and workload balancing across multiple teams
• Run weekly Delivery & Capacity meetings to align delivery client services and commercial
• Lead cross-functional operational initiatives from workflow redesign to system rollouts (e.g. Kantata HubSpot or resource tools).
• Implement and continuously improve delivery frameworks that standardise how teams work.
• Ensure all projects are properly scoped tracked and resourced with clear deliverables
• Flag risks early under-resourcing scope creep missed dependencies and propose solutions fast
  

Resource & Capacity Management

• Oversee capacity planning allocating resources and balancing workload across delivery teams based on skill set workload and availability
• Maintain utilisation dashboards and forecasts ensuring the right people are on the right work
• Partner with team leads to anticipate hiring needs ahead of time
• Track resourcing metrics and feed them into revenue and retention planning
• Manage freelancer and partner relationships to maximise delivery flexibility and margin.
• Support quick turnarounds for new client onboarding or reactive projects
  
  

Commercial & Project Financial Reoporting

• Maintain delivery and utilisation reports highlighting risks and opportunities
• Monitor delivery KPIs: utilisation recovery project health and on-time delivery rates
• Provide actionable insights to Leadership on revenue forecasting utilisation and delivery performance - whats working whats stuck what needs improving
• Support the Operational and Financial leaders in business reviews and strategic planning sessions
• Support operational budget planning ensuring operational data informs commercial strategy.

Continuous Improvement & Systems

• Lead process audits identifying areas for simplification or automation.
• Oversee system migrations and workflow optimisation across key tools.
• Embed data-led decision-making through better visibility and reporting across teams.
• Continuously optimise delivery systems workflows and tooling (e.g. Mavenlink / Kantata HubSpot)
• Champion best practices in delivery resource management and project governance.

People Culture & Collaboration

• Work with the Office & Culture Manager and Team Leads to manage team workload balance morale and retention
• Foster a culture of accountability clarity and continuous improvement.
• Support onboarding and training on delivery tools and processes
• Promote cross-department collaboration and consistency between UK and US teams
• Help embed a culture of accountability transparency and proactive communication
  
  

Youll Excel Here If You

• Have 3 years of project management or delivery experience within a digital creative or SEO agency
• Have experience using Mavenlink (Kantata)
• Have led or contributed towards operational change or system implementations (Kantata Mavenlink or similar).
• Are commercially astute confident working with budgets forecasts and margin reports.
• Can bridge creative and commercial worlds understanding both delivery detail and business strategy.
• Communicate clearly manage calmly under pressure and get things done without chaos.
• Experience in process creation for agile retainer teams
• Experience in PM and resource tool transition management
• Experience with forecasting planning and managing budgets to optimise value for the business
• A strong understanding of data and analytics to inform operational decisions
• Know how to balance people process and profitability
• Love structure scheduling and smooth workflows
• Have a strong understanding of PR Social and SEO/content campaign delivery
• Thrive in a fast-paced high-accountability environment where no two days are the same

What we can offer you

• A salary of up to 40-47k depending on experience
• 30 days holiday allowance plus Bank Holidays
• Loyalty holidays - accrue 1 day extra per anniversary year (up to 5 days)
• Christmas and New Year shut down
• Access to Private Medical Insurance
• Health cash back plan
• Group life assurance scheme
• Company pension scheme
• Regular socials
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave schemes
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Bucket list scheme - an opportunity to experience a life dream!

Equal Opportunities

At Rise At Seven we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race religious beliefs age sex sexual orientation or disability.

Required Experience:

Manager