Simply Operations

With a wealth of knowledge and years of experience as an Operations Manager, I have helped numerous people streamline their admin systems processes in order to increase their efficiency.

For some people, this may involve identifying and implementing an IT software package to assist them, such as a CRM system that suits their needs.  For others, it could be reviewing the processes they already have and recommending adaptions to the way they work.

I have also worked with a number of clients to ensure they are compliant for GDPR purposes and also run training courses on PECR, the current marketing data protection regulations.

To find out more you can visit my website www.simplyoperations.co.uk or get in touch on 01628 873403.

Director

Virtual Office Services

Taking the pressure off the small to medium-sized business owner by assisting with their business-critical admin

Director, Virtual Assistant

Seymour Taylor

Key responsibilities:
•	Managing the administration team: recruiting, managing, reviewing and mentoring individuals;
•	Compliance: ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to deliver an effective service – this has included risk management, health and safety responsibilities, to ensure work station assessments are completed in accordance with the firm’s guidelines, working closely with HR;
•	Instigating new procedures or redeveloping existing ones as necessary;
•	Process management: maintaining a strong infrastructure to deliver efficient support services to the fee-earning staff;
•	Project management: managing multiple projects to include office moves, to seek resolution to issues, advising on business needs, and managing communication with the group on all matters affecting the entire department;
•	Property management:  overseeing the condition of the building and work environment to ensure the safety and comfort of staff, carrying out repairs and improvements where necessary.  Liaising with tenants and estate agents with regards to leasing part of the building;
•	Facilities management:  managing onsite contractors and work men to ensure they comply with health & safety regulations, and that the work is completed professionally and to an appropriate standard;
•	Managing the facilities and repairs budget, negotiating the appropriate amount, negotiating costs with all external agencies whose work we purchase;
•	HR administration, working with Group HR Manager to manage induction process, monitor holidays and sickness, produce offer letters, contracts and other HR documentation as required and to ensure the firm is complying to the latest laws in HR;
•	Manage insurance policies for PI, PHI, DIS, buildings and contents, healthcare and pensions and ensure all licences are up to date and compliant.

Operations Manager

BDO LLP

Key responsibilities:
•	Managing the business support team: establishing strategic requirements, recruiting, managing, reviewing, mentoring individuals and delivering exceptional client service through all elements of the team;
•	Defining and driving standards of support team service: liaising with partners, managers and staff to ensure that priorities are established and re-organise workload across the team to ensure that support is provided to meet priorities, deadlines and other requirements; 
•	Compliance: ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to deliver an effective service – this has included risk management, health and safety responsibilities, to ensure work station assessments are completed in accordance with the firm’s guidelines, working closely with HR and the Health & Safety Advisor on the more complex cases, ISO 27001 and business continuity;
•	Involvement in assisting the project team implementing the measures required for us to be compliant for ISO14001 and ISO 27001;
•	Instigating new procedures or redeveloping existing ones as necessary;
•	Process management: maintaining a strong infrastructure to deliver efficient support services to the fee-earning staff, liaising with other Groups/offices to develop best practice; 
•	Project management: Managing multiple projects to include office moves, support with restructures, co-ordination of firmwide projects; to seek resolution to issues, advising on business needs, and managing communication with the group on all matters affecting the entire department.

Working for the lead partner in a tax department;
Managing diary and monitoring emails;
Answering telephone queries;
Arranging meetings, including venue etc;
Organising flights, cars and itineraries;
Liasing with clients;
Processing expenses;
Invoicing clients;
Maintaining database of clients’ details, time spent on each client’s work etc;
Producing presentations, audio typing, arranging document production.

Partners Secretary

HSBC

Working for a Managing Director and three Directors focussed on the EMEA market;
Managing diaries and monitoring emails;
Answering telephone queries;
Arranging meetings, and any travel that was required;
Producing presentations;
Researching companies using the internet, Bloomberg and Loanware
Invoicing clients for out-of-pocket expenses and monitoring payment;
Producing expense claims;
Arranging for the payment of invoices;
Acting as IT co-ordinator for the department.

KPMG

The agency I worked for supplied skilled staff solely to KPMG:  
Typing and formatting large reports;
Working on highly sensitive transactions, worth millions of pounds to the client often at the clients premises; 
Advanced use of PowerPoint, Word and Excel;
Being responsible for remote backup and data management;
Working to tight deadlines that may move at the last moment.

Report Specialist

Various temping agencies

During this time I worked on two long-term placements with HSBC and London School of Economics

Secretary

Mid Trent Health Authority

The transferable skills attained in this field were as follows:
Negotiation skills;
Communication skills with people from all backgrounds and education;
People management;
Time management;
Teaching skills.

Staff Nurse

Supreme Staff Agency

Behind every successful business, there are the mechanics that enable it to function, keep it legal and ensure that no balls are dropped.  This is the field in which I work, offering consultancy services to ensure my clients’ back office practices are time-efficient, fit for purpose and compliant.

Whether it be a review of the software packages in place, HR/H&S processes and procedures or the production of a business continuity plan, I have a broad range of skills and knowledge that means I can help.

Providing recommendations on the back of a ‘deep dive’ into a business, I also offer project management services to assist clients with any changes I have identified, leaving the client free to get on with their own client work.

For more details of the services I offer, please see my website, www.simplyoperations.co.uk or contact me on sarah@simplyoperations.co.uk or 01628 873 403

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