Business Operations Manager

Location: Edinburgh, hybrid working
Working pattern: Full-time, with flexibility to consider a four-day working week
Salary: £45,000–£55,000 depending on experience
Pension: Company contribution from 4% up to 9%
Contract: Permanent
Start date: As soon as possible
Probation: Six months, with an interim review after three months
Reporting to: Managing Director
Share options: Available, subject to company scheme and eligibility
Closing date: 7th August
About CGEN
CGEN Engineering is a University of Edinburgh spin-out developing new high-torque, low-speed generator and motor technologies. Our initial commercial focus is the wind industry, with a beachhead in life extension and repowering projects for existing direct-drive turbines.
Our core modular permanent magnet generator technology is intended to improve how large electrical machines are designed, manufactured, transported, maintained and repaired. Beyond this core product, CGEN aims to develop a wider portfolio of generator and motor topologies for applications where efficiency, maintainability, scalability and low-speed operation are critical.
CGEN is a small, growing start-up with an ambitious technical roadmap, active commercial and grant-funded projects, and plans to raise further investment as we move towards larger-scale manufacturing and field-trial activity.
Our primary market is wind energy, supported by work across hydro, wave and tidal energy. We are also investigating the suitability of our technologies for marine propulsion and other emerging high-torque, low-speed applications.
Training, mentoring and career development are core parts of CGEN’s approach. As the company grows, team members will have opportunities to build specialist expertise, lead major workstreams and help shape the products, engineering processes and culture of the business.
The role
CGEN Engineering Ltd is seeking a practical and highly organised Business Operations Manager to support the next stage of growth of the company.
This is a hands-on role for someone who can bring structure, coordination and follow-through to a fast-moving engineering business. The successful candidate will work closely with the Managing Director, directors and engineering team to support project delivery, grant reporting, operational planning, company administration, quality processes, board reporting and internal coordination.
The role is broad, but it is not intended to replace specialist legal, finance, HR or quality advisors. Instead, the Business Operations Manager will help coordinate these areas, keep actions moving, improve internal systems and ensure that CGEN has the operational foundations needed to grow.
This role would suit someone who is organised, practical and comfortable working close to the centre of a growing engineering company. Over time, there is scope for the role to develop into a broader operations leadership position as CGEN secures further investment, expands the team and formalises its internal systems.
Responsibilities
The Business Operations Manager will support the Managing Director and wider team across day-to-day business operations, project coordination and company administration.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Maintaining company and project action trackers, deadlines, decisions and follow-up lists.
* Supporting planning and coordination of CGEN’s commercial and grant-funded projects.
* Helping prepare grant claims, monitoring updates, project reports and supporting information.
* Coordinating board and director meeting papers, minutes, action logs and decision records.
* Maintaining company records for contracts, NDAs, insurance, policies, suppliers and compliance deadlines.
* Supporting procurement, supplier onboarding and document control.
* Helping develop practical operating processes, templates and records as CGEN grows.
* Supporting early quality-management activity and preparation for future ISO 9001 readiness.
* Coordinating recruitment administration, onboarding, employee records and probation review tracking.
* Supporting budget tracking, resource planning and information required by accountants or advisors.
* Helping organise events, meetings, customer follow-ups and commercial pipeline records.
* Working closely with the Managing Director to keep company priorities visible and moving.
* Acting as a liaison between directors, engineers, advisors, suppliers and external partners to help resolve operational issues and maintain momentum.
Requirements
We are looking for someone who can combine practical organisation with good judgement, attention to detail and the confidence to work across a small but growing company.
Essential experience and skills:
* Experience in operations, project coordination, administration, business management or grant-funded project support.
* Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines at once.
* Experience maintaining action trackers, project records, reports or management information.
* Good written communication and attention to detail.
* Confidence working with directors, engineers, advisors, suppliers and external partners.
* Ability to work independently, follow up actions and bring order to incomplete information.
* Comfortable working in a start-up environment where systems are still being developed.
* Ability to adapt in a fast-moving environment and help drive initiatives from planning through to implementation.
* Existing right to work in the UK.
Useful but not essential:
* Experience in an engineering, manufacturing, renewable energy, clean-tech or technology business.
* Experience supporting grant-funded projects, such as Innovate UK, Scottish Enterprise or Horizon Europe projects.
* Familiarity with quality-management systems, ISO 9001 preparation or document-control processes.
* Experience supporting board reporting, governance processes or investor-readiness activity.
* Experience with procurement, supplier coordination, contracts administration or CRM systems.
* Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding or basic HR administration.
* Experience with operational software tools, project-management systems or financial-planning tools.
* Degree or equivalent experience in business, operations, engineering management, project management or a related field.
Personal qualities
The right person is likely to be:
Practical, organised and comfortable taking responsibility.
Able to work across detail and wider company priorities.
Professional and reliable with confidential information.
Comfortable with routine administration as well as higher-level coordination.
Proactive in following up actions and keeping people aligned.
Interested in helping build the operating structure of a renewable energy start-up.
Benefits
Pension plan, with company contribution from 4% up to 9%.
Hybrid working and work-from-home flexibility.
Training and development.
Stock option plan, subject to company scheme and eligibility.
Full-time role, with flexibility to consider a four-day working week.
Travel and working arrangements
The role will be based in Edinburgh with hybrid working available. Regular attendance at CGEN’s office, laboratory, workshop or partner facilities will be required.
UK and occasional international travel may be required for customer meetings, project reviews, supplier visits, testing, commissioning and conferences.
CGEN is currently unable to provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.
Application process
Please submit a CV and short covering letter explaining your relevant experience and interest in the role.
Closing date: 7th August