Job Description

About the Role

We're looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day operations across our online and face-to-face training brands. This is a key leadership position, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced SME environment and enjoys driving growth through both strategic planning and practical delivery.

Purpose of the Role

To take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of Smart Horizons and its brands, and to drive the business forward through strategy, leadership, and operational excellence. This is a senior leadership position accountable for performance across all departments, ensuring sustainable growth, successful integration of future acquisitions, and continuity of systems and development as the business evolves.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Leadership & Operations

Lead day-to-day operations across the company, ensuring efficiency and high standards of delivery.

Own budgets, P&L performance, and ensure operational and financial targets are met.

Oversee all teams, ensuring cross-functional collaboration.

Implement and refine processes and systems to improve scalability and efficiency.

Strategy & Growth

Work with the Director and other key stakeholders to set and execute business strategy for revenue growth and diversification.

Take a hands-on role in launching new services (market research, pricing, compliance, recruitment, supplier partnerships, and process design).

Support marketing by shaping propositions and customer journeys.

Play a lead role in assessing and integrating new acquisitions into the group, aligning teams, processes, and systems.

Technology & Development

Take ownership of agreeing development roadmaps and priorities, preparing and implementing a succession plan.

Ensure that software development supports the long-term needs of the business and aligns with product strategy.

Act as the bridge between commercial teams and development to ensure technology delivers value.

Sales & Marketing

Work closely with the marketing function to ensure digital campaigns support business objectives.

Contribute directly to digital sales/marketing activity where required (SEO, PPC, content, proposition design, web pages).

Ensure the sales process is aligned with marketing and customer service to maximise conversions.

People Leadership

Lead, coach, and performance-manage staff across all departments.

Build capability and succession plans within the organisation to reduce dependency on key individuals.

Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Reporting & Governance

Produce and present regular performance dashboards, KPIs, and forecasts to the Director.

Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and internal policies.

Contribute to governance processes and strategic decision-making.

Skills & Experience

Proven experience in senior operations or general management, ideally in training, education, or SaaS.

Strong commercial acumen with P&L accountability.

Demonstrable experience launching new services/products.

Strong knowledge of digital sales/marketing (SEO, PPC, proposition development).

Experience working with technical/development teams and translating commercial needs into development plans.

Track record of supporting or integrating acquisitions.

Excellent leadership and strategic planning ability.

Comfortable working at both strategic and operational levels.

Strong communication and influencing skills.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 42,000.00-55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Work from home
Application question(s):

Have you previously worked in a business that delivers online training, eLearning, or digital services? Have you ever been responsible for P&L or budget ownership? What's your experience managing remote teams or working in a remote environment? How many people have you managed directly or indirectly in your previous roles? Have you led teams across multiple functions (e.g. customer service, sales, marketing, etc)? If so, please outline your experience. What would you say are the key priorities for the Operations Manager role in the first 6 months? This role combines day-to-day delivery with strategic planning. Please describe a time when you improved the way a team or business operated -- what was the issue, what did you do, and what was the outcome?
Education:

Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:

operations management or business management: 2 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Remote