Operations manager - Recruitment Agency in St Ives, Cornwall

Operations Manager – Recruitment Agency

Location: St Ives, TR26
Salary: £15p/h
Hours: 09:00 - 13:00, part-time, temporary at first, longer hours may be availble as the business grows.

About the Role

We are an established recruitment agency looking for a highly organised, proactive and capable Operations Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of our business.

This is a varied, hands-on management role that would suit someone who enjoys taking ownership, managing people, improving processes and making sure a business operates efficiently.

You will work closely with the company director, acting as their right-hand person and ensuring that staff, systems and daily operations are running smoothly.

We are looking for someone who can bring structure, accountability and organisation to the business, whilst being comfortable rolling up their sleeves and getting involved wherever needed.

Key Responsibilities

Team Management & Performance

Manage and support a team of office-based and remote employees.

Monitor individual performance, productivity and accountability.

Set clear expectations, objectives and performance standards.

Identify training needs and provide coaching and development.

Conduct performance reviews and address underperformance where necessary.

Review staff responsibilities and redistribute workloads to ensure the best use of resources.

Ensure staff remain motivated, productive and focused on business objectives.

Business Operations

Oversee the day-to-day operations of the recruitment agency.

Ensure recruitment, booking, administrative and operational processes are completed accurately and efficiently.

Identify operational issues and implement practical solutions.

Review existing systems, procedures and workflows, recommending and implementing improvements.

Ensure effective communication and coordination between team members.

Provide hands-on operational support and cover staff responsibilities when required.

Help ensure the business delivers a consistent, professional service to clients and candidates.

Director Support & Business Organisation

Work closely with the company director to organise priorities, tasks and business activities.

Help manage schedules, deadlines, meetings and follow-up actions.

Take ownership of operational matters, allowing the director to concentrate on business development and growth.

Ensure important tasks and projects are followed through to completion.

Provide regular updates on staff performance, operational issues and business improvements.

Administration & Business Improvement

Oversee general business administration and ensure records and processes are maintained.

Review and improve internal procedures to reduce inefficiencies and unnecessary work.

Identify opportunities to automate tasks and make better use of technology.

Help implement new systems and working practices.

Ensure the business remains organised, compliant and efficient as it develops.

About You

We are looking for someone who is confident, organised, practical and comfortable taking responsibility.

The ideal candidate will have:

Previous experience in operations management, team management or a similar leadership role.

Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.

Experience managing people, setting expectations and improving performance.

The confidence to make decisions, challenge inefficient practices and hold staff accountable.

The ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple responsibilities.

A proactive, problem-solving approach.

Good IT skills and confidence working with business systems and technology.

The flexibility to switch between managing operations and carrying out hands-on tasks.

Strong communication skills and the ability to work closely with a business owner.

Experience within recruitment or staffing would be beneficial, but is not essential. We are equally interested in candidates with strong operational management experience from other fast-paced, service-based businesses.

What We're Looking For

Above all, we want someone who takes ownership.

Someone who doesn't need to be constantly directed, who can recognise what needs doing, organise the people and resources required, and make sure it gets done.

You should be comfortable managing staff, introducing change, improving standards and creating a more structured and efficient working environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys being at the centre of a business and wants to make a genuine difference to how it operates.

Apply

If you are an experienced, hands-on manager who enjoys organising people, improving business operations and taking responsibility, we would love to hear from you.

Please send your CV along with a brief introduction outlining your relevant experience.