Business Operations Manager

About the role

Anaplan is seeking a proactive and highly organized Business Operations Manager to oversee and implement key operational initiatives within the Global Product & Technology organization. This role is critical in working closely with leaders in Product and Engineering to enhance essential processes, improve workflows, and drive cross-functional improvements that support the company's strategic objectives. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing operational projects, optimizing reporting and planning processes, and facilitating change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new tools and procedures. This position requires a detail-oriented professional with strong project management skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for continuous improvement within a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

Key facts

The role is based on-site at our York office, where the Business Operations Manager will work directly with teams in the Global Product & Technology Operations. The position involves managing multiple projects and initiatives that contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's product development and operational processes. As part of the team, the successful candidate will play a vital role in shaping how operational workflows are designed, implemented, and continuously improved to meet evolving business needs.

What you'll do

• Lead efforts to streamline and enhance Product Development processes, including the tools used for planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering leaders to facilitate quarterly product intake sessions, prioritize initiatives, and develop comprehensive roadmaps aligned with company goals.
• Improve existing roadmap reporting practices by automating updates from systems such as JIRA Align, reducing manual effort and increasing accuracy.
• Manage operational projects from initiation to completion, ensuring that timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met according to organizational standards.
• Develop detailed project plans, monitor progress, and communicate status updates to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to prevent project delays or failures, ensuring smooth execution of initiatives.
• Design and implement change management strategies to facilitate the adoption of new processes, tools, and workflows across teams.
• Conduct impact assessments of operational changes and work with stakeholders to address challenges proactively, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Create comprehensive communication plans, training materials, and executive reports to promote awareness and understanding of new initiatives and processes.
• Facilitate process improvement workshops and brainstorming sessions to identify inefficiencies and develop solutions that optimize workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process enhancements and ensure adherence to new procedures, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Maintain detailed documentation of processes, workflows, and project plans using tools such as PowerPoint, Confluence, and Excel, while exploring AI tools to enhance productivity and documentation quality.
• Utilize data and metrics to evaluate process performance, identify bottlenecks, and prioritize issues for resolution.
• Analyze ROI for process improvements and develop recommendations for future initiatives based on data-driven insights.
• Support the development of operational dashboards and reporting tools to provide visibility into key performance indicators and project statuses.
• Work closely with teams to ensure that operational changes are sustainable and aligned with overall organizational strategies.
• Foster a collaborative environment by engaging with stakeholders across Product, Engineering, and other departments to ensure alignment and buy-in for initiatives.

Requirements

• Significant experience in Product Management, Product Operations, or Business Operations within a technology-focused organization, preferably in SaaS or software development environments.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies, including Agile, PMP, or PROSCI change management frameworks.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop solutions, and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at various levels and leading cross-functional teams.
• High attention to detail and a results-oriented mindset, with a focus on delivering measurable improvements.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting tools, with the ability to interpret metrics and develop actionable insights.
• Familiarity with automation tools and AI-driven productivity solutions is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating adaptability and resilience.
• Strong documentation skills, with experience creating clear, concise reports, presentations, and training materials.
• Knowledge of change management principles and frameworks, with certifications such as PMP, Agile, or PROSCI preferred.

Nice to have

• Experience working within a SaaS or cloud-based technology company.
• Understanding of Lean or Lean Six Sigma principles and methodologies.
• Background in managing large-scale organizational change initiatives and transformation projects.
• Familiarity with tools such as JIRA, Confluence, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Exposure to AI tools that enhance documentation, reporting, or process automation.
• Prior experience working in a global or multi-regional organization, managing cross-cultural teams and initiatives.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in project management software and change management frameworks such as Agile, PMP, or PROSCI.
• Strong skills in data analysis and reporting tools, including Excel and other BI platforms.
• Experience with documentation and collaboration tools such as PowerPoint, Confluence, and Excel.
• Familiarity with automation and AI tools that support productivity and documentation.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to engage stakeholders and facilitate workshops.

Practical notes

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. All communications from Anaplan will come from an @anaplan.com email address. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a communication, please contact us directly. We value transparency and integrity in all our interactions and are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable hiring process.