Operations Manager

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Operations Manager

Location: Chelsea, Fulham and/or Mayfair (All Peter Harrington locations), London.

Salary: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 DOE.

Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week).

Reports to: Operations Director.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10.00-18.00.

Benefits: 21 days' annual leave plus bank holiday, holiday purchase scheme, staff parties, employee assistance programme, 7% employer pension contribution (subject to the employee making their contribution of 3%), season loan ticket, Cyclescheme, enhanced sick pay, enhanced maternity pay, enhanced paternity leave and pay, virtual GP access, seasonal flu jab voucher.

One of the leading rare book dealers in the world and the largest antiquarian book dealer in Europe, Peter Harrington has, for over half a century, dealt with a stock of thousands of fine books, from rare seventeenth-century Shakespeare folios to highly sought-after contemporary classics such as signed and inscribed first editions of the Harry Potter series.

Our principal specialties include literature, economics, politics, philosophy, travel, navigation, military history, science and medicine, children's books, and fine library sets.

We have a team of over 70 staff across 4 sites (including our newly opened New York gallery), with expertise covering wide areas of antiquarian bookselling as well as a gallery and bindery. We exhibit regularly at several international book and antique fairs and look to continue our growth as one of the leaders in our field.

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to assist our Operations Director across our locations. The ideal candidate should possess flexibility, objectivity, and a deep understanding of workplace challenges, enabling them to translate these insights into effective strategies.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all facilities management concerns across all locations.
• Oversee external suppliers and contractors to ensure optimal delivery and effective cost control.
• Create and enforce policies, procedures, and best practices for support services operations, with a focus on improving efficiency, effectiveness, and safety.
• Collaborate with various departments to ensure seamless operations, including staffing levels, scheduling, resource allocation, and inventory management.
• Propose innovative ideas to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to strategic planning.
• Directly manage all members of the Operations Department.
• Support the Managing Director and Operations Director with business expansion projects.
• Assist in handling all Health and Safety-related matters.
• Work with the Finance Director and HR Manager as needed, including on budgeting and staffing matters.
• Help with the organisation of fairs and events.

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience managing several sites.
• Comprehensive understanding of health and safety regulations.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of project management with multiple stakeholders.
• The flexibility and confidence to communicate with a wide variety of suppliers, contractors, and clients, in-person and via email.
• A resourceful and pragmatic approach to problems, and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• A team player with great communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be meticulous and highly organised, with a keen eye for detail and ability to multi-task.
• Commercial and strategic planning experience/awareness.
• Experience leading and managing a team.

Desirable, but not essential:

• Knowledge of rare/antiquarian books and the rare book trade or a related field.
• Experience with a luxury brand or gallery environment.

What does the hiring process look like?

Applicants can expect the following:

• Application review: we aim to respond to all applicants within two weeks. Please note, we do not provide individual feedback at this stage.
• Phone screen: a 10-15 mins conversation over the phone with our Operations Director.
• First meeting: in person or via Teams, with our Operations Director and HR Manager. Usually 30 mins to 1 hr.
• Second meeting: ideally in person, with our Owner/Managing Director, and our Operations Director.
• Third meeting: Follow up conversation with our Owner/Managing Director, our Operations Director, and short meetings with our Finance Director, HR Manager, and Ops Team.
• Offer stage: our HR Manager will be in touch within 2 days of your final meeting, with our offer to you.

If you interview with us but are unsuccessful, our HR Manager will be in touch within a few days with personalised feedback.

How to apply

Applicants should send their CV and cover letter directly to: recruitment@peterharrington.co.uk.

All applications must include a cover/introduction letter. Please note, your application might not be considered without a letter.

Start Date

As soon as possible, ideally before June 2025.