Founder & Operations Assistant

bySarrion is looking for a part-time Founder & Operations Assistant to protect the founder's time and keep the business running with precision.

The successful applicant will take ownership of the systems that run the business. One calendar.  One operational database holding clients, events, costings and suppliers.  A clear process running from enquiry through quote, delivery and invoice.  The Founder & Operations Assistant's job is to own them, keep them accurate, make sure they are followed and make sure things happen. Alongside that, you will look for support on our social media, comms and other duties that are reasonable for this role.

This is a food business.  Everything comes back to what ends up on the plate, and we want someone who cares about that as much as we do.

What the Founder & Operations Assistant will do…

Calendar & Rhythm:

• Own the business calendar covering events, preparation days, travel, calls and deadlines
• Protect the founder's delivery days, flag clashes early and keep him ahead of what is coming
• Own the reminders, so nothing reaches a deadline without having been raised first

Enquiries & Clients:

• Be the first response to every enquiry, on the same day, in a tone appropriate to the client
• Capture how they found us, ask the right qualifying questions and get the call in the diary
• Keep client records accurate, including the preferences and dietary detail that make a client feel known

Operations:

• Coordinate the work behind each event: supplier orders, equipment hire, freelance crew bookings, packing lists and event folders
• Prepare and issue invoices promptly, monitor outstanding balances and escalate overdue accounts
• Maintain the operational database so clients, events, costings and suppliers stay in one place and stay current
• Arrange travel and logistics, and handle the general administration of a business that moves quickly

Social Media:

• Work with our editor to turn images and videos into finished content
• Run the community. Replies, messages and relationships with galleries, brands and press
• Track which content produces enquiries and work with the team to improve metrics

What bySarrion is looking for:

• At least 2 years' experience coordinating something real – events, restaurants, luxury hospitality, an art gallery, a private office or an executive assistant role
• A working understanding of how an event or restaurant business runs, including suppliers, prep, service, covers, margins, and what happens when something does not arrive
• Real interest in food – you do not need to have cooked professionally, but you should know good from ordinary and be able to say why
• Genuinely organised.  Not tidy, organised – you track what you said you would do and it gets done without a reminder
• A good eye.  Ability to look at a table, a plate or a room and know what is worth photographing and from where
• At ease in high-end environments. You will be in private homes, galleries and five-star hotels, often while the client is there.  You know how to present yourself in those rooms, how to speak to the people in them and how to be unobtrusive when service is running
• Confident writing directly to clients, including people who are used to being looked after extremely well
• Discreet.  You will see private client information, and it stays private.  Some clients cannot appear in content at all, and you will know the difference without being told twice
• Comfortable with software and quick to learn new tools.  We run on Airtable, Xero, Google Workspace and Softr, with Canva and a social scheduling tool alongside them. You don't need to have used all of these, but you should be ready to learn how to use them.

What good looks like in the Founder & Operations Assistant's first three months:

• The calendar is accurate and recurring, and standing meetings are happening, and everyone is informed.
• Every enquiry is answered the same day and its source is recorded
• Every invoice goes out within a day of delivery and the debtor position is visible at any moment
• A publishing rhythm holds without reminders, and every event produces material worth using

What bySarrion offers:

• £35,000 full time equivalent, which is £21,000 for three days a week
• Based in London with access to Mission Kitchen + occasional work from home - this is not a fully remote role
• Company phone and laptop provided
• 28 days holiday (pro rata to 17 days) plus bank holidays entitlement
• We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship, and you will need to prove your right to work
• Occasional travel is required, and you will have unrestricted access to EU countries. Evening and weekend work is not standard and, if required, will be agreed in advance.
• Workplace pension at 3%

Application

Apply with a CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability and interest.