LIFE AS AN OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE
"Life As A" and is all about sharing what it's really like and what it takes to do the job. We feature what a typical day and the reality of it is like, the ugly and the pretty.
Here, Rebekah Lowther, Operations Executive at Brunel Insurance Brokers shares their take.
What does your job involve?
"What doesn’t my job involve? It’s a real mix of everything.
I can onboard a new starter one morning, then by the afternoon I could be sorting out a IT issue with a resignation in the middle. I essentially have a hand in everything behind the scenes for the company.
I manage a team who run reports, compile data, order supplies, organise staff travel. I, myself am involved with IT issues, staff issues, training and development, onboarding, offboarding and any HR matters.
What is your background?
I’ve had a very interesting life job wise.
I started working in retail when I was 17. I moved to nightclubs and then ran restaurants. I took a leap of faith and ran a zoo for a year, then decided to do the adult thing and start my career at 25… (it’s never too late to start).
I worked in customer service jobs whilst attending night classes to gain my CIPD. I wanted to be within HR, employee relations. I started at Brunel as a Business Development Executive in 2020, I very quickly realised this wasn’t for me, the company saw my potential (bit of a wiz kid with computers and spreadsheets) so I moved to broker support and then an opportunity came within Operations.
Over the last 8 months, I have taken on more and more, I now have a team underneath me and operations has gone from strength to strength. I never saw myself within Operations, but now I’m here, I have found my calling.
Who can say they love going to work every day? Me!
What is a typical day like in your role?
My typical day usually starts very quiet, responding to emails, catching up on things that I’ve not had time to deal with then it usually explodes and there is a lot going on.
Aside from the typical day-to-day running of Operations, my job is so varied I can never prepare for what the day brings - it keeps me on my toes!
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love getting problems resolved for my colleagues, it may be an issue with their emails or they may need some further training. I really enjoy just getting the job done.
Job satisfaction is important to me, I know I leave work every day to a job well done.
What’s the hardest part?
The hardest part is managing my workload. My job is very intense, but I have the best team around me. I report directly to the Director of Operations, her phone line is always open if I need help, my team will always step up and take on a new task if I need them too.
I sometimes feel there just isn’t enough hours in the day!
What makes it your career of choice?
I never know what is around the corner, my days are so varied how could I ever be bored? I work with a fantastic team, the culture within Brunel is incredible and I thoroughly live my best life every day.
- Written by Chloe Blunden
NEED SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE OR MORE TIPS?
If you are looking for more advice or help finding your next job, we can help, please give us a call on: 0117 301 8495 or take a look at our jobs page. Alternatively, if you’re an employer in the South West and South Wales looking to recruit and need someone with real recruiting expertise then we can help – let’s chat.