Operations Lead

Location: Remote (UK-based, occasional travel to Oxford/Coventry)

Portfolio: Oxford (primary), Coventry (secondary)

Type: Full-time

Salary: £3,000–£3,200/month + quarterly performance bonus (up to £250)

Reporting to: Founder

Start: Immediate or within 7 days

Working Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday; occasional Saturdays - if urgent issues

About the Role

We manage a growing portfolio of co-living and student houses across Oxford and Coventry. This role is for a professional who wants full operational ownership of the portfolio while working independently. You will coordinate a lean support team including:

• Local Sales & Marketing Rep – responsible for occupancy and tenant viewings
• Housekeeping & Maintenance Staff - locally on-site housekeeping
• Bookkeeper / Admin Assistant – managing finance and records

You will run operations end-to-end, making independent decisions, ensuring properties are compliant, profitable and ready for tenants.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Operations & Tenant Management

• Ensure all properties meet UK tenancy compliance requirements (HMO, fire safety, licensing, deposit protection).
• Monitor rent collection, manage arrears, and handle tenancy renewals.
• Coordinate property turnarounds efficiently to minimise vacancy.
• Oversee repairs, maintenance, and housekeeping tasks, confirming completion and quality.
• Act as the primary point of contact for operational issues.

Team Coordination

• Assign and supervise local Sales & Marketing Rep, housekeeping, and maintenance staff.
• Conduct check-ins and check- outs with all field staff to ensure smooth operations.
• Coordinate with the bookkeeper for accurate reporting of income, expenses and arrears.

Reporting & Analysis

• Provide weekly operational reports including rent collected, maintenance updates, compliance status, and open tasks.
• Identify risks, bottlenecks or inefficiencies and propose solutions proactively.

Budget & Expense Management

• Operate within allocated budgets for maintenance and operational expenses.
• Approve invoices and work orders within defined limits.
• Track spending and report variances clearly.

Who You Are

• 3+ years experience in UK property operations, HMO/student housing preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple properties independently.
• Operational judgment and independent managerial decision-making skills.
• Comfortable coordinating local teams remotely.
• Skilled with property management systems and processes
• UK driving license and access to a car for occasional site visits.
• Excellent communicator.

Accountability & Performance

• Responsible for: All portfolio operations, compliance, rent collection, maintenance coordination, reporting, and task management.
• Not responsible for: Occupancy - Sales & Marketing Rep manages letting and viewings; You ensure properties are ready and compliant.
• Performance bonus: Quarterly bonus linked to operational KPIs: rent collected %, maintenance turnaround, compliance, and reporting accuracy.

Note: You will be responsible for liaising with councils, landlords, agents, vendors and other stakeholders, so previous experience in the UK property industry is essential. Applications from candidates without relevant property experience will not be considered.

We will provide an introduction to our systems and processes, but you are expected to take ownership and help improve them.

Additionally, there is a short-term backlog that may take up to 2-3 weeks to resolve, which will require extra effort and / or overtime beyond the standard role. Compensation for this ad hoc work will be provided separately.

How to Apply

Send your CV and a cover letter stating

• Your experience managing multiple properties independently.
• How you would coordinate operations for Oxford/Coventry properties remotely.
• Examples of operational challenges you've solved autonomously.

Email:

Subject line: "Operations Lead – Your Name"

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £3,000.00-£3,200.00 per month

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Flexitime
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oxford OX3 7QF