Operations Manager

The Role

We're 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.

You'll be responsible for improving how we work — leading process optimisation, system migrations, and operational change that enhance delivery, resource management, and profitability.

This is a 
delivery-first operations role
— built for someone who's 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 agency's
  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 - what's working, what's 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

You'll 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.