Operations Assistant

Bionic Services Ltd; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Think Business Loans is seeking an organised Operations Assistant to support the day-to-day running of a sales pod. You will manage finance applications from submission through underwriting to completion, coordinating with sales agents, lenders and customers to ensure accurate packaging and timely progress.

This role requires attention to detail, strong organisation and the ability to manage multiple live priorities in a fast-paced environment, while building effective working relationships and

Qualifications

• Experience in an administrative, operational, sales-support or customer-service environment.
• Strong IT literacy and confidence using business systems and shared mailboxes.
• The ability to maintain accurate records and manage detailed information.
• Experience communicating professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• The ability to prioritise work and respond promptly to changing business needs.
• Desirable: experience supporting finance, lending, brokerage or application-based processes.

Responsibilities

• Application Management & Quality Assurance: Conduct QA checks on applications, ensure packaging is accurate before submission, monitor live applications and progress through underwriting.
• Sales Support: Assist sales agents with product knowledge and provide updates on underwriting progress.
• Lender Relationships: Maintain strong relationships with lenders and act as primary liaison for the pod.
• Operational Excellence: Manage the pod's inbox, keep records accurate, identify process gaps and suggest improvements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Team collaboration

Proactive

Target-driven

Tools

Business systems

Job description

Think Business Loans is a fast-growing finance broker that specialises in providing alternative finance solutions for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. Think is the finance division of Bionic, the UK's leading business comparison service, and has become the largest finance broker of its kind in the country. Think's unique approach combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to deliver an exceptional service to our clients. This allows us to provide tailored finance solutions that meet the unique needs of each business we work with. Our approach streamlines the application and approval process for maximum efficiency, whilst always maintaining a personal and professional approach to finance. Think Business Loans is part of the Bionic Group . We focus on using state-of-the-art matching and tendering platforms, and our expert lending managers help SME's save time, money, and hassle on their business loans.

The role We're looking for a highly organised and proactive Operations Assistant to support the smooth day-to-day running of one of our sales pods within Think Business Loans. You'll play an essential role in managing business finance applications from submission through to completion. Working closely with sales agents, lenders and customers, you'll ensure applications are packaged accurately, progress efficiently through underwriting and receive the attention needed to deliver the best possible customer outcome. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys bringing structure to a fast-paced environment, building strong working relationships and solving problems. If you're detail-focused, commercially aware and motivated by delivering excellent service, we'd love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

• Application Management & Quality Assurance: Conduct thorough quality assurance checks on applications, ensuring each one is packaged accurately and to a high standard before submission. Monitor live applications and help them progress efficiently through the underwriting process. Work with sales agents and, where necessary, customers to obtain documentation or additional information requested by lenders. Keep application records and ThinkApp statuses accurate and up to date, clearly reflecting the current position of each case.
• Sales Support: Work closely with sales agents, supporting them with product placement and up-to-date lender knowledge. Provide timely updates on applications that are progressing through underwriting. Ensure sales agents remain informed and have the operational support they need throughout the application journey.
• Lender Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with lenders, acting as the primary lender liaison for your pod. Monitor lender service-level agreements and help ensure applications continue to progress within the required timescales. Negotiate offers directly with lenders to help secure favourable outcomes for customers.
• Operational Excellence: Manage the tender's mailbox for your pod, ensuring queries and tasks are dealt with promptly. Maintain clear and accurate information throughout the application lifecycle. Identify process gaps and suggest improvements that could increase efficiency across the pod. Help create a well‑organised, responsive environment in which sales agents, lenders and customers are effectively supported.

About you

About you We're looking for someone who combines excellent organisation with strong attention to detail and a genuine desire to help others succeed. You'll be comfortable managing several live priorities, communicating with different stakeholders and taking ownership of tasks through to completion. You'll likely have:

• Excellent attention to detail and a consistently accurate approach to your work.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple applications and priorities.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and progressing outstanding actions.
• Confidence building positive working relationships with colleagues, lenders and customers.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-moving, target-driven environment.
• A collaborative mindset and a willingness to support the wider sales pod.
• The confidence to identify inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements.

Required skills & experience

• Experience in an administrative, operational, sales-support or customer-service environment.
• Strong IT literacy and confidence using business systems and shared mailboxes.
• The ability to maintain accurate records and manage detailed information.
• Experience communicating professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• The ability to prioritise work and respond promptly to changing business needs.

Desirable skills & experience

• Experience supporting finance, lending, brokerage or application-based processes.
• Previous experience working with lenders or other third-party providers.
• Experience conducting quality checks or reviewing applications and su