Manager, Business Operations (Parental Leave Cover)

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Patternmakers team as a Manager, Business Operations over a period of parental leave.

We seek a caring, efficient and process-loving collaborator, with experience in finance, legal and HR, who loves spotting risks and bringing systems, people and projects together in growing organisations. 

With quarterly team retreats and the opportunity to be based anywhere in Australia, this role will further build out our senior leadership team. 

Continue reading for more information on the role and how to apply.

Applications close 11.59pm Wednesday 4 October 2023.

Job Description:

Job title: Manager, Business Operations (Parental Leave Cover)

Purpose of the position: Responsible for the operational management of the business, including finance, legal, HR and ensuring the business strategy is implemented.

Workload: Part time, 30 hours per week Mon - Thur

Location: Work from home/own workspace

Job type: 12 month parental leave contract

Supervisor: Managing Director

Main responsibilities:

• Oversee the company bookkeeper and help manage business finances to ensure compliance with accounting and tax regulations, and manage cash flow

• Generate and approve client invoices based on contractual payment milestones

• Support business planning and manage reporting to ensure business goals are achieved, including job profitability analysis, productivity analysis and capacity planning alongside the Manager, Research & Insights

• Manage human resources to ensure optimal business capacity including recruiting employees, crafting job descriptions, and working with the MD and Manager, Research & Insights to conduct performance appraisals, staff training and team development.

• Organise and help facilitate quarterly team retreats including coordinating travel bookings and planning the retreat location and accommodation to within budget

• Manage risk and quality processes in the business to safeguard against business loss or interruption including:

  • Quality control on projects and publications (including some proofing)

  • Risk management

  • Ethical conduct

  • Research Society Membership

  • Privacy

  • Legal affairs.

• Support business development to ensure business growth, including lead management alongside the Managing Director.

• Manage set up of new projects and clients including drawing up contracts and generating the job on in house project management software (Workflow Max)

• Manage two part time casual team members, Research Coordinator and Digital Marketing Associate

• Manage IT and online business platforms – set up, processes, training, reporting, billing and continuous improvement

• Problem solving and troubleshooting miscellaneous business and operational issues

• Onboard and induct new team members, including systems set up and human resource responsibilities

• Work alongside bookkeeper to process monthly payroll in Xero.

Skills & experience:

• 5+ years prior experience in business management/operations – including finance and/or legal

• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and an eye for quality

• A commitment to continuous improvement and strategic planning

• Ability to design user-friendly processes and streamline business operations

• Excellent initiative, problem solving skills and a can-do attitude

• Ability to work independently with excellent time management skills

• Ability to multitask across different projects/business areas

• A good communicator with a friendly professional approach.

Further information:

This is a contract role covering a period of parental leave and is ideally starting early November to allow for a period of thorough handover.

The current position is 4 days per week, Monday – Thursday.

Remuneration is $90,000 – $100,000 + Superannuation commensurate with experience

Patternmakers is a remote first organisation, with four face-to-face quarterly retreats per year based in various locations around Australia. You will be responsible for designing and maintaining a home office/workspace that you love, along with your own smart phone, laptop computer and high-speed internet.

We provide the online software applications you require for your role. We do have some options for working from co-working spaces in Sydney or Melbourne.

How to apply:

Expressions of interest should be sent via email to Sara Mason (sara@thepatternmakers.com.au) no later than 11.59pm on Wednesday 4th October 2023.

You are asked to submit a current CV and cover letter of no more than two (2) pages.