Manager, Business Operations, Specialty Travel & Events
Navan
- Location
- London, UK
- Work model
- On-Site
- Level
- Mid
- Posted
- 2h ago
Skills
About this role
About the Role
The Business Operations team solves the Specialty Travel & Events team's most critical, emergent challenges across business, product, and operations. We are looking for a high-impact individual contributor to spearhead initiatives that drive business growth, process optimization, and system stability. You will also own the end-to-end management of critical enterprise tools.
Because BizOps operates without direct line-management authority, leadership here is built on relational equity, integrated thinking, and data-backed execution. You will tackle unstructured, ambiguous problems like a creative science experiment—verifying root-cause data, optimizing workflows, and ensuring structural readiness before rolling out core updates.
What You Will Do
• Scoping & Scaffolding: Lead deep project scoping early to uncover root causes, document risks, and lock down parameters before execution to prevent scope creep.
• Global Program Management: Drive multi-phased technical initiatives across international regions, establishing working groups and cross-functional alignment across teams.
• Workflow Optimization & Automation: Audit legacy operational processes, map current vs. ideal state workflows, and author clear documentation so systems run smoothly post-launch.
• Data Strategy & Storytelling: Query raw business data (via SQL, BI tools, and data warehouses) to diagnose operational bottlenecks, rigorously verify data integrity, and build compelling visual narratives for leadership.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Build trusted partnerships across teams, navigating blockages with empathy to drive alignment across competing priorities without direct authority.
• Iterative Systems Innovation: Run controlled experiments against baselines to build repeatable execution patterns, maintaining radical transparency around both wins and operational failures.
What We're Looking For
• Experience: 5+ years in business operations, program management, or technical project management within a fast-paced tech company.
• Analytical & Technical Rigor: High data literacy with hands-on experience interrogating data sets, tracking data lineage, and utilizing BI tools or modern data warehouses (e.g., Snowflake, Tableau).
• BizOps Mindset: A proactive problem-solver who defaults to clear ownership, definitive timelines, and thorough documentation over passive observation.
• Matrix Diplomat: Proven ability to spot cross-functional friction, build cross-team trust, and unblock operational drag.
• Education: BA/BS degree or equivalent practical experience
• Proven track record of driving change management alongside complex technical implementations would be a bonus.
• Ideally a background in Product Operations or Business Systems in high-growth environments.