Operations Manager

xPO; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A digital publishing company in Bristol is seeking an Operations Manager to lead and innovate in digital publishing systems. The role involves shaping operational strategy, enhancing efficiencies, and managing a small team. Candidates must possess strong Python and BigQuery skills, alongside expertise in Airtable and cloud technologies. This position offers flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking team committed to operational excellence.

Benefits

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Generous pension scheme

16 weeks maternity/paternity/adoption leave

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Python for building automation tools.
• Experience with BigQuery or SQL for managing tables and queries.
• Advanced skills in Airtable for complex bases and integrations.
• Strong understanding of database architecture.

Responsibilities

• Shape the future of digital publishing operations.
• Manage day-to-day operations and collaborate with teams.
• Implement best-practice processes and drive improvements.
• Design and manage digital asset management systems.

Skills

Proficiency in Python

Experience with BigQuery or SQL

Advanced Airtable skills

Experience with APIs

Experience with Google Cloud Platform

Strong understanding of database architecture

Excellent problem-solving skills

Proven leadership experience

Strong communication skills

Technical aptitude for new software

Job description

Job Overview

As our operations manager, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of digital publishing at Storm. This is your chance to take ownership of cutting‑edge publishing systems, drive transformative process improvements, and lead with confidence as you introduce new technologies and smarter ways of working. You’ll guide day‑to‑day operations with autonomy, contributing your ideas and expertise to operational strategy while collaborating with a forward‑thinking team that values innovation and efficiency. You’ll gain comprehensive experience across every aspect of digital publishing operations — from cloud architecture and database design to distribution automation and partner integrations — while developing your leadership skills through mentoring and supporting the digital operations assistant.

Systems and Database Management

• Systems architecture: Software selection, design, integration, and development of the Storm technology stack and architecture, including everything from email to digital storage, from databases to automation sequences.
• Airtable: Expansion, maintenance, integration, and management of Storm’s Airtable bases, interfaces, forms, and automations, covering contracts, rights data, submissions, HR, and more.
• Google Cloud Platform: Maintain and optimize existing cloud‑hosted applications and build new cloud‑hosted tools, ensuring secure workflows, error handling, and logging.
• BigQuery: Management and building of BigQuery tables, automated queries, and integration with other systems.
• Systems: Maintain and optimize all other digital systems, databases, and workflows, including ownership of implementation of new platforms or integrations.
• Data: Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and security across operational systems.
• Streamlining: Identify opportunities and implement ways to automate and streamline operational processes.
• Slack and Tableau: Oversee the company’s use of Slack for team communications and Tableau for data visualization and business intelligence reporting.

Process Improvement and Innovation

• Proactively identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Implement best‑practice processes and contribute to the evolution of Storm’s publishing systems, exploring opportunities to leverage AI and machine learning to enhance operational workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and create smarter systems.

Distribution and Operations

• Design, build, integrate, and manage our digital asset management system and be responsible for the quality control of the metadata and assets within it.
• Optimize and automate the distribution of e‑book, audiobook, and print assets and metadata/ONIX to retailers and partners.
• Troubleshoot distribution issues and implement effective solutions.
• Lead the technical integration when onboarding new retail and distribution partners.
• Provide ad‑hoc automated tools as needed, for example bulk repricing, asset retrieval, etc.

Retailer and Partner Relations

• Serve as a point of contact for retailer and partner queries, escalating as necessary to the operations director.
• Coordinate communications between internal teams and external vendors.
• Monitor reports, flag technical or operational issues, and propose improvements.

Contracts, Rights, and Royalties

• Ensure maintenance of databases for author contracts, territorial rights, and licensing agreements.
• Support rights administration tasks and royalties processing, liaising with other teams as needed.
• Expansion of Airtable royalties system to accommodate new partners and contractual changes.

Team Management

• Line‑manage the digital operations assistant, providing guidance, mentoring, and support.
• Oversee task prioritization and workflow distribution within the operations team.
• Coordinate with editorial, production, and commercial teams to ensure smooth operational delivery.

Requirements and Skills

• Proficiency in Python (essential) for building automation tools, scripts, and cloud applications.
• Experience with BigQuery or SQL (essential) for managing tables, queries, and system integrations.
• Advanced Airtable skills (essential) for building and maintaining complex bases, interfaces, and automations.
• Experience with APIs (essential) for connecting platforms, building integrations, and enabling automated data flows.
• Experience with Google Cloud Platform and cloud‑hosted application development.
• Strong understanding of database architecture and systems integration.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills with a resourceful, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Proven leadership experience, including mentoring or managing team members.
• Strong communication skills for liaising with internal teams and external partners.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Technical aptitude for rapidly learning new software and platforms.

What you’ll gain

This role offers the chance to gain comprehensive experience in digital and publishing operations, developing leadership skills while managing a small team. You’ll engage with cross‑functional teams and help shape the systems and workflows that underpin a fast‑growing, innovative publishing business.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays.
• Generous pension scheme.
• 16 weeks maternity/paternity/adoption leave.

Culture

• Work from home with regular in‑person meetings in London.
• Flexible working hours.
• Involvement in company strategy.
• We value all different perspectives and backgrounds at Storm and actively foster a culture of inclusivity, where everyone feels welcomed. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know.