Business Operations Manager | London | Digital & Operations team - 12 Months maternity cover FTC 

About the opportunity

We are looking to appoint a Business Operations Manager on a fixed-term basis of one year to cover a maternity leave period.

This is a central support role to our Executive Search business, to lead initiatives that enhance organisational efficiency and scalability through

• Digital and AI Literacy – Driving the implementation and integration of digital and AI literacy programs across the organisation to improve decision-making and operational effectiveness.
• Business Process Analysis – Evaluating, optimising, and redesigning business processes to ensure compliance, scalability, and operational excellence.

Success indicators will include

• Organisation-wide adoption of digital and AI literacy programs, resulting in measurable productivity improvements and informed decision-making.
• Streamlined business processes that reduce inefficiencies, improve compliance, and support future growth.
• Clear documentation and communication of process improvements and digital initiatives to stakeholders.
• Work closely with technical teams on the development of cutting-edge AI solutions while carefully evaluating the risks and ensuring they align with business processes and objectives

Ideally, the candidate will have a background in a professional services firm and played a key role in driving digital and AI adoption initiatives. They should also bring proven experience in business process optimisation within a client-facing environment.

Familiarity with the dynamics of a partner-led organisation would be a strong advantage.

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align digital literacy and process optimisation with organisational goals.
• Analytical Capability: Strong aptitude for data-driven decision-making and process evaluation.
• Change Management: Skilled in driving cultural and operational change across diverse teams. Acting as a bridge between technical teams and wider business teams.
• Communication: Excellent ability to convey complex concepts in simple, actionable terms.

Knowledge

• Understanding of digital transformation principles and AI applications in business contexts.
• Familiarity with business process management frameworks (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Knowledge of compliance standards and operational risk management.

Skills

• Process Mapping and Analysis
• Project Management and Stakeholder Engagement
• Data Interpretation and Reporting
• Training and Facilitation for Digital Literacy Programs

Behaviours

• Curious mindset - Proactively seeks knowledge and shows an openness to learning and exploring innovative solutions
• Ethical judgement – Acting with integrity and honesty
• ¡Customer focused – Prioritising client and stakeholder needs
• Collaborative – Promotes teamwork, engages others constructively, shares knowledge, and supports collective success.
• Outcome-focused - Maintains accountability for outcomes, ensuring efficiency and quality in all deliverables.
• Commercial

Odgers is one of the world’s leading Global Executive Search firms. Our reputation for excellence and integrity has been established over 60 years and we are a partnership-driven by the client, candidate, and employee experience. We function as trusted advisors to our clients and candidates and engage with a diverse range of leaders for the most influential roles across a wide variety of industries. The service we deliver is creative, insightful, and most importantly, in partnership; we pride ourselves on maintaining personal relationships.

At Odgers, we are proud of our progressive, diverse, meritocratic, and collaborative culture where you will find support, training and career development working with colleagues striving for excellence in all they do. We are UK headquartered with colleagues across 58 Offices in 32 countries specialising in over 50 sectors and functions. 

Hybrid Working

Our Hybrid working policy is based on the principles of empowerment, mutual trust and flexibility, recognising that we work best when we make choices about when, where and how we work.  At the same time, we are reminded that time together is so important.  We are a client-service business in which our relationships and our culture provide a significant advantage. Our offices remain critical to how we work; they are a place for collaboration, learning, and support and an anchor for the culture of which we are so proud.

We operate a hybrid working model which would typically see you spending a minimum of 2 days working from the office and the rest remotely. Your work pattern will be reliant on business demands, and we would expect you to manage your time accordingly.

At Odgers, we are committed to fostering a work environment that is safe and respectful of all individuals. We have and will always stand with and support the inclusion and equity of our colleagues, candidates and clients and are committed to improving diversity in all its forms within Odgers.

Unlimited embodies this philosophy and our commitment to inclusion.

We have several initiatives that ensure equity is practised at all levels of our organisation, including our Allies programme, an equitable recruitment process designed to ensure opportunity, our Next Generation council and a meritocratic promotion process.

Sustainability

Modern businesses have a duty to be environmentally responsible and operate sustainably. We believe this represents not only sound commercial sense but also recognises our ethical responsibility to minimise the impact of our activities on the environment and to leave a positive legacy for future generations.

We have committed to, and set, science-based decarbonisation targets, and have received verification of these goals from the Science Based Targets initiative  (SBTi). These targets will hold us accountable to our sustainability strategy while enabling us to measure our progress. This is complemented by us continuing to provide sustainability insight to our clients and cultivating a track record within sustainable businesses and in placing sustainability leaders.

Corporate Social Responsibility

We take Charity seriously – but like to have fun too. Our CSR team are always thinking up new events and activities to get involved in and raise funds for our chosen charity British Heart Foundation. 

We also have a variety of social clubs and learning opportunities to suit everyone such as the Brunch and Learn Session, Odgers choir, the book club or one of the many sports clubs

Whats on offer?

A competitive base salary, supplemented by our benefits package and discretionary bonus

• 25 days Annual leave + 3 gift days for the Christmas closure + bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance with Bupa and cash plan with Simply Health
• Group Company Pension
• Season Ticket Loan & Cycle to work scheme
• Give As You Earn
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Charity Day
• Wellbeing Programmes, support and speakers
• On-boarding, induction training and ongoing professional development
• Corporate member discounts and benefits available through Bupa and Simply Health including Gyms Discounts 

Applications

We are committed to ensuring everyone can access our website and application processes. This includes people with sight loss, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairments. Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, need to apply in a different format or need any reasonable adjustments made for any interview please contact our Talent Team at careers@odgers.com 

If you have any comments and/or suggestions about improving access to our application processes, please don't hesitate to contact us at careers@odgers.com

Eligibility

You must be eligible to live and work in the UK