Senior Office Manager
You will lead the administration team, own office operations, manage HR for the business support function, implement structure and controls, and ensure the business runs smoothly day-to-day. The role requires a high degree of autonomy — you will be trusted to manage priorities, improve processes, and drive standards without constant supervision.
This is not a support-only position. You will run the office and HR function.
This is a fully office-based position and requires daily presence at the Stratford headquarters.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Accountability
• Lead, manage, and develop the business administration team.
• Recruit, performance-manage, and where necessary exit administrative staff, maintaining accountability and standards.
• Set workloads, standards, and expectations across the admin function.
• Provide updates to Directors and the Board on administrative and HR performance.
• Take ownership of office operations, identifying improvements and implementing change.
Business & Office Operations
• Oversee daily office management including facilities, supplies, and professional working environment.
• Establish, maintain, and improve administrative systems, workflows, and controls.
• Act as senior point of contact for internal business support matters.
HR & People Management
• Lead recruitment for the administration function including interviewing, onboarding, and probation management.
• Manage performance reviews, disciplinary processes, and staff exits when required.
• Act as first point of contact for HR matters within the office, escalating complex issues appropriately.
• Maintain personnel records, oversee absence management, and support compliance with HR policies.
• Support Directors with people-related reporting and workforce planning.
Communication & Coordination
• Act as first point of contact for internal and external communications.
• Coordinate meetings, training sessions, and business events.
• Support operational teams with documentation, reporting, version control, and general project administration.
Financial & Commercial Support
• Support finance processes including invoice handling, transaction reports, budget tracking, and supplier liaison.
Skills & Experience Required
• Proven experience in an Office Manager, Senior Administrator, or Business Support Leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience managing an administrative team.
• Proven experience recruiting, performance-managing, and exiting staff when required.
• Experience operating with senior leadership oversight and board-level accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to work with autonomy, taking ownership and making sound decisions without day-to-day direction.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident communicator, comfortable dealing with senior stakeholders.
• Strong Microsoft Office capability (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Professional, reliable, discreet, and commercially aware.
• Comfortable in a fast-growing, performance-driven environment.
Desirable
• Experience operating in a growing SME or scale-up business.
• Familiarity with finance processes or workflow/project management systems