Operations Manager

Vero HR; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Direct exposure to senior leadership

Professional development

Job summary

Universal Partners in London (Canary Wharf) is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to own day-to-day operations, oversee payments, settlements, client service and reporting. You will lead a small team and report to the Chief Operating Officer.

This role focuses on driving operational excellence, building relationships with clients and partners, and delivering process improvements to support growth. Hybrid work supported; salary up to £55,000 with a quarterly bonus up to 10% and

Qualifications

• Experience in an operations role within financial services, payments or fintech.
• Strong understanding of operational processes, payments and business controls.
• Experience leading or managing a team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operational running of the business.
• Lead and develop a small operations team.
• Manage payment and settlement activities, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Produce operational reporting and management information for senior stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers and business partners.
• Drive process improvements and identify opportunities to increase efficiency.
• Support operational projects and business growth initiatives.
• Work collaboratively across the business to deliver excellent service and operational support.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical Skills

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Universal Partners is a fast-growing financial services business based in Canary Wharf, providing foreign exchange and international payment solutions to more than 2,400 corporate clients across the UK and beyond.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced and hands-on Operations Manager to take ownership of our day-to-day operational environment and help ensure the business continues to operate efficiently and effectively.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you'll play a key role in managing operational processes across payments, settlements, client service, reporting and process improvement. This is a genuine opportunity to take ownership of a broad remit, lead a small team and make a measurable impact within a growing business.

Working closely with teams across the organisation, you'll help drive operational excellence, improve efficiency and support the continued growth of the business.

In particular, you will:

• Oversee the day-to-day operational running of the business.
• Lead and develop a small operations team.
• Manage payment and settlement activities, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Produce operational reporting and management information for senior stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers and business partners.
• Drive process improvements and identify opportunities to increase efficiency.
• Support operational projects and business growth initiatives.
• Work collaboratively across the business to deliver excellent service and operational support.

Who we are looking for:

• Previous experience in an operations role within financial services, payments, fintech or a similar environment.
• Strong understanding of operational processes, payments and business controls.
• Experience leading, mentoring or managing team members.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience producing reports and management information.
• Exposure to foreign exchange, international payments, process improvement, automation tools or Power BI would be advantageous.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with the ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, growing business.

Why you'll love working here:

• Competitive salary of up to £55,000, depending on experience.
• Performance bonus of up to 10%, paid quarterly.
• Hybrid working with up to two days per week from home.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership.
• Genuine opportunity to shape and improve operational processes.
• Leadership responsibility from day one.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• Friendly, collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment.
• Opportunity to join a growing business where your contribution will make a visible impact.

If you have the right attributes, skillset and feel you can add value to our business, we'd love to hear from you.