Operations Assistant

Think Business Loans is a fast-growing finance broker that specialises in providing alternative finance solutions for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. Think is the finance division of Bionic, the UK's leading business comparison service, and has become the largest finance broker of its kind in the country. 

Think's unique approach combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to deliver an exceptional service to our clients. This allows us to provide tailored finance solutions that meet the unique needs of each business we work with. Our approach streamlines the application and approval process for maximum efficiency, whilst always maintaining a personal and professional approach to finance. 

Think Business Loans is part of the Bionic Group. We focus on using state-of-the-art matching and tendering platforms, and our expert lending managers help SME’s save time, money, and hassle on their business loans. 

The role 

We’re looking for a highly organised and proactive Operations Assistant to support the smooth day-to-day running of one of our sales pods within Think Business Loans. 

You’ll play an essential role in managing business finance applications from submission through to completion. Working closely with sales agents, lenders and customers, you’ll ensure applications are packaged accurately, progress efficiently through underwriting and receive the attention needed to deliver the best possible customer outcome. 

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys bringing structure to a fast-paced environment, building strong working relationships and solving problems. If you’re detail-focused, commercially aware and motivated by delivering excellent service, we’d love to hear from you. 

Key responsibilities 

Application Management & Quality Assurance 

• Conduct thorough quality assurance checks on applications, ensuring each one is packaged accurately and to a high standard before submission. 

• Monitor live applications and help them progress efficiently through the underwriting process. 

• Work with sales agents and, where necessary, customers to obtain documentation or additional information requested by lenders. 

• Keep application records and ThinkApp statuses accurate and up to date, clearly reflecting the current position of each case. 

Sales Support 

• Work closely with sales agents, supporting them with product placement and up-to-date lender knowledge. 

• Provide timely updates on applications that are progressing through underwriting. 

• Ensure sales agents remain informed and have the operational support they need throughout the application journey. 

Lender Relationships 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with lenders, acting as the primary lender liaison for your pod. 

• Monitor lender service-level agreements and help ensure applications continue to progress within the required timescales. 

• Negotiate offers directly with lenders to help secure favourable outcomes for customers. 

Operational Excellence 

• Manage the tender's mailbox for your pod, ensuring queries and tasks are dealt with promptly. 

• Maintain clear and accurate information throughout the application lifecycle. 

• Identify process gaps and suggest improvements that could increase efficiency across the pod. 

• Help create a well-organised, responsive environment in which sales agents, lenders and customers are effectively supported. 

About you 

We’re looking for someone who combines excellent organisation with strong attention to detail and a genuine desire to help others succeed. You’ll be comfortable managing several live priorities, communicating with different stakeholders and taking ownership of tasks through to completion. 

You’ll likely have: 

• Excellent attention to detail and a consistently accurate approach to your work. 

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple applications and priorities. 

• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills. 

• A proactive approach to problem-solving and progressing outstanding actions. 

• Confidence building positive working relationships with colleagues, lenders and customers. 

• The ability to work effectively in a fast-moving, target-driven environment. 

• A collaborative mindset and a willingness to support the wider sales pod. 

• The confidence to identify inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements. 

Required skills & experience 

• Experience in an administrative, operational, sales-support or customer-service environment. 

• Strong IT literacy and confidence using business systems and shared mailboxes. 

• The ability to maintain accurate records and manage detailed information. 

• Experience communicating professionally with internal and external stakeholders. 

• The ability to prioritise work and respond promptly to changing business needs. 

Desirable skills & experience 

• Experience supporting finance, lending, brokerage or application-based processes. 

• Previous experience working with lenders or other third-party providers. 

• Experience conducting quality checks or reviewing applications and supporting documentation. 

• Knowledge of underwriting processes or service-level agreements. 

• Experience using a CRM, application-management platform or similar operational system. 

The interview process 

• Initial conversation via Teams with one of our Talent Acquisition Specialists 

• Final stage in person interview with the Hiring Manager 

About Bionic Group 

Bionic has over 600 people working across three office locations and four businesses; Bionic - London, Bionic Outbound – Luton, Think Business Loans – Chelmsford, Utility Bidder – Corby and Smart – Field based agents. 

We have a high energy work environment wherever the location; you can feel the passion the moment you walk through our door! Our work environments are packed with amazing people and energy, hubs of collaboration, creativity and fun! We’re one team, we get stuck in, we roll our sleeves up and we care about helping each other out wherever we can. We set the highest standards and show up every day to be the best version of ourselves. 

Working at Bionic means provides you many opportunities to advance your career, with incredible progression, recognition, and reward. 

Benefits 

We know that our employees are what sets us aside from our competitors, our benefits are just part of the way we say thanks. 

Enhance your health & wellbeing 🌱 

• Private healthcare cover 

• Employee Assistance Programme, including a virtual GP service, priority physio & talking therapies 

• Eyecare scheme 

Taking time away from work 🏖️ 

• 25 days annual leave plus the 8 UK bank holidays, increasing with tenure 

• 1 paid family/religious day of leave per year - following successful probation period 

• 1 paid charity volunteering day per year 

• Option to buy/sell up to an additional 3 days leave per year 

 Family matters: for the special moments 🏠 

• Enhanced maternity, paternity or shared parental leave 

• 2 days off for your wedding upon joining, and up to 5 days after 2 years' service 

• Flexible working options & a hybrid work approach 

Financial wellbeing 💸 

• Auto-enrolled salary sacrifice pension scheme  

• Life assurance 

• Season ticket Loans, salary advances & loans to buy/rent a home – based on tenure 

• Cycle to work scheme 

Recognition 🌟 

• Highflyers incentive, a VIP experience for our high performers across Bionic group to celebrate success 

• Company summer & Christmas party celebrations, business and local zonely & annual awards and recognition  

• Long service awards