Operations Manager
Salary £ 35,776 per annum
London
Vacancy listed 27/11/2025
Application deadline 04/01/2026
Details
We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to join Novara Media’s growing operations team. This role provides core operational support to the Operations Lead and the wider Business Operations Team. Reporting to and working alongside the Operations Lead, you will support the day-to-day management of all our operational activities, including the smooth running of our new studio. Ideally, we are also looking for someone who can also take on some banking and financial tasks, including paying and filing invoices, basic budgeting, chasing invoices and receipts, and keeping cashflow spreadsheets up to date. 

This is a hands-on, generalist role for someone who thrives on variety and problem-solving, but is also meticulous, with excellent attention to detail. You'll be managing our physical workspace, building and maintaining key relationships with partners and stakeholders, and tackling a diverse range of operational challenges across every corner of the organisation.

Looking ahead: The Operations Lead will be taking a short sabbatical towards the end of 2026. During this time, you will take on additional workflow coordination, decision-making on day-to-day matters, and act as the primary operational liaison across teams. You'll gradually take on expanded responsibilities to provide continuity and leadership in the weeks leading up to this period, making this an excellent opportunity for someone ready to step up.

This is a permanent, full-time, office-based role working from our studios in London. (We are currently based in Bermondsey but will soon be moving to Dalston.)

We particularly encourage women and people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.


About You

You’re an experienced operations professional who can hit the ground running. You understand how political and media organisations work, or you bring operations expertise from other sectors. You're a confident generalist who can manage a studio, coordinate with external partners, and solve whatever operational challenges arise, all while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and staying on top of business admin. 

You're comfortable working independently and prioritising your own workload, while collaborating closely with the Operations Lead day-to-day. You know when to escalate issues to the Directorate. You're unflappable, solutions-focused, and genuinely enjoy enabling organisations to run smoothly.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a deep understanding of Novara Media - including each team's ambitions and constraints - which will be crucial to the constructive problem-solving and project management that will define the role. 



Key Responsibilities

  • Provide operational support across all sections, with an ability to prioritise when there are competing demands
  • Act as operational point of contact for partners and stakeholders, and sole point of contact when the Operations Lead is on leave
  • Assist with banking and finance tasks
  • Provide administrative and facilitation support to the Directors of Novara Media; assist with planning and logistics for meetings or training sessions
  • Participate in Business Operations Team meetings to solve problems across the organisation, and monitor and report on any bottlenecks or challenges
  • Manage day-to-day office and studio operations, including coordination of maintenance, supplies, and facility-related issues
  • Take on expanded responsibilities during the Operations Lead's sabbatical, providing leadership and continuity for the operations function
  • Maintaining shared documents, policies, and resources
  • Supporting onboarding processes (new starters, freelancers)
  • Keep organisational processes, policies, and operational documentation up to date
  • Maintain studio bookings and room calendars
  • Support data collection for quarterly or annual organisational reviews
  • Help maintain health & safety compliance and records



Person Specification


ESSENTIAL
  • Experience managing day-to-day operations of a growing organisation, ideally within media, political, or creative sectors
  • Proven track record of successfully managing facilities, workspaces, or physical operations
  • Strong project management and organisation skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities and a practical, hands-on approach
  • Confident communicator who can liaise with people at all levels, from external partners to directors
  • Flexible and resilient, able to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Willingness to support administrative functions across the organisation
  • Confident using digital tools for communication, project tracking, budgeting, and documentation
  • Understanding of and commitment to Novara Media's left-wing political values


DESIRABLE
  • Financial administration experience: processing wages and invoices, liaising with accountants, a basic understanding of taxes including VAT, and a detail-oriented approach to annual budgets and cashflow (the role could be adapted to include more financial responsibility for candidates with this experience, or less, for someone who is otherwise the right candidate but has none.)
  • Experience working in leftwing organisations, campaigns, trade unions, or activist spaces
  • Understanding of the flexibility and adaptability required in a growing organisation's daily operations
  • Experience in media, creative, or cultural organisations
  • Experience managing co-working or shared spaces


Location: You will be expected to work primarily in our London offices.

Hours: 32 hours per week, preferably spread across 5 days

Pay: £35,776 per annum.

Applicants should submit a CV and a supporting statement of up to 500 words explaining why they’re a great hire for this role, and for Novara Media, with references to specific project work.


Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews to be held at the NM offices in Bermondsey the week commencing 12 January 2026.
We may extend the deadline for applications if necessary.
Benefits

Flat pay structure*
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
London and Leeds offices
Flexible work hours
Professional development opportunities
Creative and comradely work environment

*Novara Media has a flat pay structure, meaning all employees are paid the same hourly rate and pay rises occur uniformly across the organisation. We are a Living Wage accredited employer.

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