Office & Business Operations Manager – Independent Building Surveying Practice
Location: Norwich (hybrid working – home and office-based)
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, no weekends
Salary: £28,000 – £32,000 per annum, depending on experience
Essential: Previous property sales or estate agency experience is essential for this role.
Contract: Permanent
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced office professional who enjoys responsibility, variety and being at the heart of a business, with the opportunity to make a real difference to the way it operates.
Are you an experienced Office Manager, Senior Administrator or Operations Coordinator with a property sales background looking for a varied role where you can take ownership, use your initiative and play an integral part in running a business?
We are seeking a highly organised, proactive and commercially aware Office & Business Operations Manager to join an independent Building Surveying Practice based in Norwich.
Property Sales Experience
An important requirement for this position is previous experience within property sales or the estate agency sector. The successful candidate must have a good understanding of the property sales environment, be confident liaising with estate agents, clients and other property professionals, and understand the importance of providing an efficient and professional service throughout the property transaction process.
This is a varied and responsible position, combining office management, surveying administration and wider business operations. Working closely with the Director, you will take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the practice, ensuring that administrative processes, client communications and business operations are managed efficiently and effectively.
The role will go beyond traditional administration. We are looking for someone who can take ownership of the office, manage competing priorities, oversee workflows and identify opportunities to improve how the business operates.
The successful candidate will become a key part of the business, providing essential support to the Director and helping to ensure the practice continues to run smoothly and professionally.
Key Responsibilities
1. Office & Business Management
- Take responsibility for the day-to-day running and organisation of the office.
- Oversee general office administration, ensuring systems, processes and procedures operate efficiently.
- Manage incoming telephone calls, emails and general business enquiries.
- Maintain organised electronic filing systems, records and business documentation.
- Oversee office supplies, equipment and relationships with suppliers and service providers.
- Ensure business records and administrative systems are kept accurate and up to date.
- Identify opportunities to improve office procedures, systems and overall efficiency.
- Provide general business and operational support to the Director.
2. Surveying Administration & Coordination
- Manage the Director's diary, appointments and workload.
- Coordinate and book property inspections, surveys and client appointments.
- Liaise with clients, estate agents and other professionals to arrange survey appointments.
- Prepare and issue letters of engagement and associated documentation.
- Monitor the progress of instructions and follow up with relevant parties to ensure surveys progress smoothly.
- Coordinate workloads and help ensure appointments, deadlines and commitments are managed effectively.
- Maintain accurate client records and ensure relevant documentation is available when required.
- Provide administrative support throughout the surveying process, from initial enquiry through to completion.
3. Business Operations & Financial Administration
- Oversee the administrative workflow of the business, ensuring instructions and enquiries are dealt with promptly.
- Monitor ongoing work and identify any outstanding actions or issues requiring attention.
- Prepare and issue invoices and monitor outstanding payments.
- Follow up with clients regarding payments and outstanding documentation where necessary.
- Maintain accurate spreadsheets, financial records and business information.
- Assist with basic bookkeeping and general financial administration.
- Support the development and implementation of efficient business systems and processes.
- Proactively identify operational issues and take appropriate action to resolve them.
4. Director & Client Support
- Act as a key point of contact between the Director, clients and external professionals.
- Provide reliable day-to-day support to the Director, helping manage priorities and commitments.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with clients, estate agents, solicitors and other industry contacts.
- Deliver a professional, friendly and responsive service to clients.
- Anticipate the needs of the business and take initiative to ensure tasks are completed without requiring constant direction.
- Assist with the wider organisation and development of the practice.
Other reasonable duties may be required to support the effective running of the business.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who is organised, resourceful, commercially aware and takes pride in ensuring a business runs smoothly.
Previous property sales or estate agency experience is essential for this role.
We are particularly interested in candidates who have worked within an estate agency, property sales office or a property-related business and who understand the demands of working within the property sector.
The successful candidate will ideally have:
- Previous experience in property sales, estate agency or a property-related sales environment.
- Previous experience in an Office Manager, Senior Administrator, Operations Coordinator, Practice Administrator or similar role.
- Experience managing the day-to-day running of an office or supporting business operations.
- A good understanding of the property sales process and experience liaising with estate agents, clients and other property professionals.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Strong communication skills and a confident, professional telephone manner.
- The ability to work independently, use initiative and take ownership of responsibilities.
- A proactive and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
- Experience with invoicing, financial administration and maintaining business records.
- A professional, approachable and commercially aware attitude.
Desirable Experience
The following would also be advantageous:
- Experience within the property/construction or building surveying sectors.
- Previous experience working within a small business or independent professional practice.
- Experience coordinating operational workflows and improving business processes.
- Familiarity with accounting software or practice management systems.
- Experience providing direct support to a business owner or Director.
We would also welcome applications from candidates with strong office management or operational experience gained within other professional services or owner-managed businesses.
- Competitive salary of £28,000 – £32,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Permanent, full-time position within an independent professional practice.
- Workplace pension scheme with standard employer pension contributions.
- A varied and interesting role with genuine responsibility and autonomy.
- The opportunity to work closely with the Director and become an integral part of the business.
- The opportunity to take ownership of the office and contribute to improving business operations.
- A hybrid working arrangement, combining home-based work with attendance at the Norwich office.
Apply Today!
If you're an experienced Administrator looking for a flexible, full-time opportunity within the property sector, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now, and we'll review your application within 48 hours. Suitable candidates will be contacted directly.