Senior Operations Executive

UNAVAILABLE; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days Annual Leave

8 Bank Holidays

Flexible hybrid working model

Private medical insurance

Dental & cash plan

Enhanced parental leave

Pension scheme

Job summary

The Harris Poll UK is seeking a Senior Operations Executive to oversee the operational delivery of diverse research projects, from survey programming to data delivery. You will help ensure timely, high-quality outcomes while working with the Research Operations and Development teams.

Based in Southampton with a flexible hybrid model, you will drive process improvements, manage client expectations and continually deepen expertise in our technology and partner solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience in research operations or project delivery in a fast-paced environment.
• Outstanding attention to detail and strong communication skills.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities with multitasking.
• Proactive, analytical mindset with ability to learn new tools quickly.
• Proficiency in Excel; basic HTML/CSS knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the operational delivery of research projects and programmes.
• Deliver projects on time, within budget and to high quality standards.
• Coordinate effectively across Research, Research Operations and Development teams.
• Proactively manage risks and escalate with appropriate actions.
• Communicate progress, risks and changes clearly with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to team resourcing, guidance for junior members and process improvements.

Job description

About Us

At The Harris Poll UK, we exist to understand consumer needs in a demanding world. We help organisations stay closer to the people they serve through research that combines hard data with human truths. Our work spans customer experience, reputation, thought leadership, innovation and brand strategy, helping clients make smarter decisions in a world where consumer expectations are constantly evolving.

Overview

Our Senior Operations Executives are responsible for managing all operational aspects of our research projects and programmes. They continually develop their expertise in our in-house technology and chosen partner platforms, understanding their strengths and use cases in depth to design the best operational solutions for complex research demands. They use this expertise to advise research teams, solve problems, ensure the successful delivery of clients’ research objectives and ultimately enable market-leading research.

This role requires a highly focused and logical mindset, outstanding attention to detail and the ability to quickly build deep expertise in new technology. Exceptional communication and organisational skills are essential, alongside the ability to think creatively, innovate and find solutions when challenges arise. Senior Operations Executives are expected to take ownership, work proactively, collaborate effectively across teams and continually look for opportunities to develop their expertise and improve how we work.

Responsibilities

Role Responsibilities

Project & Programme Management

• Own the operational delivery of a variety of research projects and programmes, from survey programming and quality assurance through to fieldwork and data delivery. Support research teams with the delivery of strategic reporting where required.
• Deliver projects on time, within budget and to a consistently high standard, balancing quality, pace and commercial considerations.
• Manage competing priorities effectively, maintaining oversight across multiple projects and programmes and making sound judgements about where attention and resource are needed most.
• Proactively manage in-life projects and programmes, identifying potential risks early and taking appropriate action to mitigate them.
• Communicate clearly, accurately and proactively with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring expectations, progress, risks and changes are well managed.
• Co-ordinate effectively across Research, Research Operations and Development teams to ensure smooth project execution, clear ownership and effective handovers.

Innovation & Optimisation

• Develop deep expertise in research tools and technologies. Build in-depth knowledge of The Harris Poll UK’s continually evolving proprietary technology and chosen partner solutions, using that expertise to recommend the right approaches and optimise research outcomes.
• Drive process improvements and efficiencies. Identify opportunities to improve how we work and take ownership of implementing, documenting and embedding better approaches.
• Investigate and resolve technical issues. Diagnose problems accurately and efficiently, taking ownership of day-to-day challenges and escalating appropriately when additional support is required.
• Continually build your own capability. Proactively develop your understanding of new tools, features, processes and solutions, seeking opportunities to learn, experiment and grow your expertise.
• Share knowledge and innovation. Collaborate within and beyond the Research Operations team to share learning, showcase new capabilities and help others make better use of the tools and solutions available to them.

Client Management

• Manage client requests directly and proactively, providing clear, timely and confident operational support throughout project delivery.
• Take ownership of the operational client experience, anticipating needs, managing expectations and helping ensure consistently high-quality delivery.
• Build a strong understanding of client needs, priorities and account-specific processes, using this knowledge to inform operational decisions and identify the best solutions.
• Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders, demonstrating credibility, responsiveness and confidence when discussing operational requirements and resolving challenges.

Team Support

• Contribute actively to team resourcing and prioritisation, helping ensure work is allocated effectively and potential capacity challenges are identified early.
• Act as a trusted operational adviser to research teams, providing guidance on best practice and recommending the most appropriate approaches, tools and solutions.
• Support the development of junior team members through day-to-day guidance, knowledge sharing and constructive feedback during project delivery.
• Champion established processes and quality standards, helping ensure they are understood and consistently applied across projects and programmes.
• Contribute positively to team culture and collaboration, sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues and building strong working relationships across the wider company.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience working within a research operations, project delivery or similarly fast-paced operational environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with clear, confident and effective communication skills.
• A positive, proactive mindset, with curiosity and a genuine appetite to learn and develop.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think logically, investigate issues and identify effective solutions.
• The confidence to take ownership and work independently, while collaborating effectively as part of a wider team.
• Strong digital capability, including confidence using Microsoft Excel, and the ability to quickly learn and develop proficiency in new technologies and software.
• Experience with simple programming languages, such as HTML and CSS, or the aptitude and enthusiasm to develop these skills.

What Success Looks Like

A successful Senior Operations Executive is highly organised, independently motivated and brings exceptional attention to detail to everything they do. They take ownership of their work, manage competing priorities confidently and use sound judgement to keep projects and programmes running smoothly.

They are curious and keen to challenge themselves, continually building their expertise in new technologies, tools and approaches. They combine technical knowledge with creative problem-solving, finding effective solutions to complex challenges and identifying opportunities to make the way we work better.

Above all, they inspire confidence in colleagues and clients. They are proactive, dependable and collaborative, using their operational expertise to advise others, champion quality and drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Benefits

30 days Annual Leave + 8 Bank Holidays

Flexible hybrid working model, supporting a balance between office collaboration and remote working

Private medical insurance, dental and cash plan

Enhanced parental leave – Maternity/Adoption and Paternity leave

Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme (statutory employer contributions)

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Discounts Platform

Dog friendly office in Southampton

Compensation

£27,000 - £29,000