Operations Manager

*** Application instructions: Please include a short CV and a very brief covering note summarising (1) why you're applying and what you'd bring to the party, (2) the top 3 things you look for in an employer / work environment and (3) 3 good questions for us. (We like 3s). Points for brevity! ***
Note this is initially a part-time role (2 - 3 days / week) but with the potential to become more full-time.
ABOUT THE BUSINESS
Marvellous Maps is a small, independent map publishing business that aims to inspire great adventures, liven up walls and put enormous grins on faces. Our folded, flat and framed maps entertain and inspire people to explore Britain’s best bits, with well-researched, humorous content and a strong belief that maps should be fun, not just functional. We began life in 2014, and became a certified B Corporation in 2021. We’re proud to supply our maps to Ordnance Survey, among other outlets, and to support three fantastic British environmental charities (Trees for Life, Surfers Against Sewage and the John Muir Trust). As we approach our 10th birthday this year, we’ve got high ambitions for the next 10 years and beyond - this role will be crucial in achieving them.
We're committed to diversity, equality and inclusion. Our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire, develop and promote great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. In our quest to entertain and inspire people to explore Britain’s best bits, we’re building a culture where difference is valued. Come and be part of our adventure!
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Operations Manager role is, like all our roles, remote (must be UK) and (as far as possible given the demands and constraints of the role) flexible in terms of working hours. It’s initially a part-time freelance role to help support / role-share with our current Operations Manager, in response to evolving capacity and demands on the business. There will be potential for the role to become more full-time, and, all being well, within around 12 months, there should be an opportunity to transition to a ‘permanent’ employee role (with great benefits including equity scheme), and beyond that longer-term opportunities to progress.
It’s a broad-ranging managerial role. As well as having shared responsibility for the smooth running of the day-to-day business, it also involves contributing to key decisions, including long-term strategy, managing and delivering projects, potentially managing a small number of other people / roles, helping build a great culture and helping lead our CSR / environmental efforts.
ABOUT YOU
You'll have experience running the operations of a small business or part of a larger business in publishing / travel-related / e-commerce or a related sector, and a skill set roughly in line with an operations director / COO career path. You’ll be interested in all facets of the business, be commercially astute, be able to learn and adapt quickly and (of course!) be a proactive, collaborative team player. Some knowledge of and interest in environmental responsibility and B Corporation standards would be a bonus, but we’re not expecting you to be an expert in sustainability or indeed in all areas of the role’s responsibilities at the outset. In some cases, you may be managing an expert rather than being the expert yourself. Extra points for loving travel and adventure around Britain (and chuckling at funny place names).
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities will be shared initially, while getting up to speed with the business and role, and there will be some flexibility early on in terms of required skills and experience - we’re not expecting you to be expert-level in all these areas, as long as there’s a commitment to learning and development:
Planning, prioritising and communications - taking the lead on keeping the team organised, with headlines understood and priorities always aligned to business needs, supported by good communications and information flow
Production and logistics - managing the supply chain, printing / production, publication, stock and all aspects of getting our products to our customers
Customer service - interacting with customers to ensure they're as happy as can be, and continually improving our service levels
Finance - understanding our finances inside-out, ensuring our financial and external reporting processes deliver as needed, leading forecasting / scenario planning, helping manage costs and the overall financial health of the business, working closely with our book-keeper and accountant
Risk, compliance, data and systems management - understanding, evaluating and responding to the risks we face, ensuring we comply with relevant laws / regulations, and ensuring that our infrastructure works
Environmental and social responsibility - delivering on our CSR ambitions, including B Corporation obligations
Reporting, analysis and insight - delivering high quality performance metrics and providing analysis, insight and recommendations for improved processes / performance
Potential additional responsibilities:
HR - putting in place HR policies and processes, helping us become a great employer through recruiting, developing and retaining great people, supported by our HR advisor
Contributing to strategy and decision-making - this can happen from day 1, but is likely to be something that builds over time, alongside knowledge of the business and markets we're in
REQUIREMENTS
Operational management experience in publishing / travel-related / e-commerce or other relevant sector
Some experience / working knowledge of each of the areas of responsibility listed above, and a desire to learn more in areas of lesser experience / knowledge
People management experience and an ability to inspire and develop colleagues
Great communication, collaboration and relationship-building skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Meticulous focus on quality and attention to detail (yep, pedantry required!)
‘Growth mindset’ and a commitment to self-development
NICE-TO-HAVES:
Project management experience
Strategy management / strategic thinking skills
Entrepreneurial experience / knowledge of entrepreneurial techniques
CSR knowledge, including B Corporation standards and environmental responsibility
Risk management
HR
Knowledge of Britain, from a travel / adventure / discovery perspective (the topics of our main map range)
WHAT WE’RE OFFERING
Competitive pay
Structured support for your learning and development
Flexible hours and location, along with regular get-togethers
Opportunity for progression towards an employee role with great benefits, including annual bonus, equity scheme participation, additional holiday time and other nice things