Founder’s Operations Manager
Big Bull Self Storage in Great Somerford, SN15 5EH. £30/hour PAYE. 12 hours/week initially, increasing to 20 hours/week within 3 months. Part time with flexibility and long term growth opportunities.
- Location: Big Bull Self Storage, Great Somerford, SN15 5EH
- Hours: 12 hours/week to start going to 20 hours/week within 3 months. Possibly more hours after 3 months.
- Rate: £30 per hour PAYE
- Industry: Commercial Self-Storage
About the Role
We are seeking an exceptional, highly organised and commercially minded individual to become the founder's trusted right hand as we continue to expand a growing self-storage business.
Big Bull Self Storage is an ambitious, award winning and rapidly growing company with plans for significant expansion over the next three years. We are looking for somebody who can help bring structure, organisation and momentum to a busy founder-led business.
Initially, the role will focus on reducing the founder's administrative burden, improving organisation and helping coordinate multiple projects.
Over time, the role is expected to develop into a broader operational and strategic position, supporting business growth, expansion projects and long-term planning.
This would suit a highly capable former Executive Assistant, Business Manager, Operations Manager, Project Coordinator or Chief of Staff who is looking for a flexible role with genuine responsibility and influence.
Big Bull Storage ltd, trades as Big Bull Self Storage and its operations site is in Highbridge, Somerset, but this role will be based out of the head office in Great Somerford where the founder works. There is a second self storage business the founder has on his farm in Great Somerford called Somerford Storage. Big Bull Self Storage has been a finalist two years running (2025 & 2026) for External Operator of the year in UK and winner of Manager of the year 2026 and finalist for European Manager of the year 2026 (winner decided in Sept 2026).
Big Bull Self Storage aims to be the best in the country for customer service and the most fulfilling workplace environment.
The Opportunity
You will work directly alongside the founder, helping to create time and focus for the activities that drive business growth.
You will quickly become involved in:
- Managing and prioritising tasks and projects
- Organising and maintaining the founder's diary
- Managing meetings and appointments
- Email management and correspondence
- Liaising with suppliers and contractors
- Obtaining quotations and coordinating deliveries
- Coordinating a team of part time staff including office assistant, facilities manager, handymen, data entry staff
- Delegation of tasks to office assistant
- Liaising with the site management team in Highbridge, Somerset
- Managing schedules and work programmes
- Project management
- Tracking priorities, deadlines and commitments
- Helping improve systems, processes and efficiency across the business
- Assisting with strategic planning and business growth initiatives
- Ability to use technology especially AI in order to increase productivity
- Increasing founder’s effectiveness
Over time, there will be opportunities to become increasingly involved in operational management, project delivery and supporting the company's expansion strategy.
What We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate will be:
- Exceptionally organised
- Commercially aware
- Creative thinker
- Proactive and self-motivated
- Calm under pressure
- Highly trustworthy and discreet
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities
- Confident dealing with a wide range of people
- Able to think independently and solve problems
- Comfortable challenging ideas and offering constructive opinions
- Able to act as a sounding board on business matters
- Professional, personable and confident
- Someone who can take over many of founder’s current tasks in order to free their time to grow company
Most importantly, we want somebody who can see the bigger picture and help us move the business forward.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Previous experience as an Executive Assistant, Senior PA, Operations Manager, Office Manager, Business Manager, Project Coordinator or similar role
- Outstanding organisational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Strong Microsoft Office skills
- Experience managing diaries and competing priorities
- Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent relationship management skills
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks
- Strong judgement and decision-making ability
Desirable Experience
- Working directly with company founders, directors or senior executives
- Small business experience
- Operations or project management experience
- Experience building systems and processes
- Experience supporting business growth initiatives
- Property, construction or facilities management experience
Why This Role Is Different
This role offers the opportunity to help build something, rather than simply support it.
Benefits include:
Genuine Flexibility
We recognise that many highly capable professionals are looking for flexibility around family commitments.
We offer:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Understanding around school holidays and occasional family commitments
- Flexible start and finish hours
- A focus on outcomes rather than presenteeism
- The opportunity to help shape your own role
Ideally there will be set days that you work but once school holidays or other family/personal commitments arise flexibility is offered to change days of work or miss some days entirely.
Long-Term Growth
- Initial commitment of 12 hours per week
- Increasing to approximately 20 hours per week within the first three months
- Potential for additional hours as the business continues to grow
- Opportunity to evolve into a significant leadership and operational role
Hybrid Working
The role will be primarily based at our head office in Great Somerford, working closely with the founder.
As the role develops, there will be scope for some home working where appropriate, particularly as hours increase and responsibilities expand. But principally this is an onsite role in the company office as this is where most effectiveness can be delivered to the employer.
Meaningful Influence
This is an opportunity to work directly with the founder, contribute ideas, improve how the business operates and play a key role in our future growth.
Beautiful office location
The office is based on a farm in Great Somerford. The office is in an orchard and overlooks fields so it is a beautiful environment.
Salary
£30 per hour – PAYE
Initially 12 hours per week, increasing to approximately 20 hours per week within three months, with further opportunities as the business continues to expand.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this role we want to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and a brief covering note explaining why your organisational and problem-solving style makes you the ideal partner for a growing entrepreneurial business. Please send to [email protected] .
Timeline after your application arrives with us
You may receive an acknowledgement that the CV was received at [email protected] . CVs will be reviewed on 14 September. If your CV is suitable you will be invited to a phone interview which will take place on 15 or 16 September. If you pass the phone interview you will be invited to a face to face interview with the director/founder on 17 or 18 September at the main office in Great Somerford. Candidate appointment will likely happen no later than 25 September. If you have questions by all means email [email protected], and it will be answered as best as I can, but if there is a delay it is due to lack of time rather than anything else.
Pay: £30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
