Senior Operations Manager (Hybrid - London)

Zinc Network; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A global communications organization in London is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to manage critical project operations, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery. The ideal candidate will have at least 6 years of experience in project management, with a strong grasp of logistical coordination and stakeholder engagement. Applicants must be fluent in English and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously. This position offers opportunities to work at the intersection of geopolitics and technology.

Qualifications

• 6 years of experience in a similar role.
• Experience managing projects from inception to close-out.
• Experience of operations or project management on international donor-funded projects.
• Experience managing a team of operations staff.
• Experience in budget management and procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, logistics, and financial aspects of multiple projects.
• Manage financial, contractual, and logistical elements from inception to close-out.
• Coordinate travel logistics working to project policies.
• Supervise and lead the operations team.

Skills

Project Management

Budget Management

Logistical Coordination

Stakeholder Engagement

Team Leadership

Fluency in English

Tools

Accounting Software

Job description

Introducing Zinc Network

For over fifteen years, Zinc Network has been helping governments and businesses navigate the world's most complex challenges using communications, technology, and behavioural science. We work on some of the toughest briefs: protecting children online, strengthening democratic resilience, and championing purpose-driven technologies and organisations.

Working in partnership with a global network of media outlets, communities, and influencers, we help clients understand complex issues, design and deliver behavioural interventions, create compelling campaigns, activate trusted grassroots networks, and evaluate impact.

We're now building Kora — our AI-powered platform that systematises this expertise into scalable technology, enabling clients to work faster, more impactfully, and more cost-effectively.

We're looking for people who want to operate at the intersection of geopolitics, security, and technological disruption, and who are committed to building a safer, more secure world.

Outline of the job

We are seeking an experienced Senior Operations Manager to oversee the planning, logistics and financials aspects of multiple projects. They will provide overarching management of projects to ensure they are delivered on time, on budget and within the project scope, in the most efficient way possible. The Senior Operations Manager will report to the Head of Production & Operations.

The Senior Operations Manager is expected to be in our London office 2 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all financial, contractual and logistical elements of projects from inception to close-out.
• Understand client contracts, legal, and commercial and compliance requirements of each project to ensure effective delivery.
• Ensure projects are undertaken and deliverables produced within the scope of the contract and its terms and conditions.
• Manage all financial elements of the projects alongside the Project Accountant and Project Director from cost monitoring to processing invoices to financial reporting both internally and to clients.
• Coordinate a high volume of travel logistics working to the projects policies and regulations.
• Juggle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Work with the project management team to create and manage all project documents, .including Risk documents.
• As required, supervise and lead the assigned operations team, ensuring effective collaboration and coordination among team members.
• Ensure each project works to Zinc’s internal policies and procedures.
• Resource all projects in line with requirements and budgets using a mixture of internal staff & freelancers, making sure all contracting is in place.
• Coordinate due diligence, contracting and onboarding of third-party suppliers and partners including grant recipients, and monitor delivery and compliance against those contracts.
• Obtain a good understanding of Zinc’s software and be able to troubleshoot any problems experienced within the team.

What we need from you…

• Experience in managing projects from inception to close-out.
• Experience of operations or project management on international donor-funded projects (FCDO, USAID, EU, UN or similar)
• Experience managing a team of operations staff
• Experience working with project-based staff, providing logistical and financial oversight on projects.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and cooperating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Extensive eExperience managing multiple projects and competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience in conducting, reviewing and approving project procurements, grants, and purchase order agreements.
• Experience in budget management, and experience of various accounting software.
• Fluency in English.
• 6 years of experience in a similar role.
• UK SC Clearance would be beneficial, but not a requirement.

Area of Selection

We’re committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to apply to join our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.

Conditions of Employment

• Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking-related activities) or workplace investigation.
• Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting.

How to apply

Please include a cover letter stating how you meet each of the requirements.

If you require an accommodation to be made at any point throughout the recruitment process, please advise us when contacted.