Christine B.

Operational Business Manager
Happy to mentor
Happy to be contacted

About me

Christine B.
Mathematics
Mathematics
Undergraduate
Alcuin
1999
United Kingdom

My employment

Operational Business Manager
United Kingdom

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A day in the life of a Operational Business Manager in the United Kingdom

Enjoying being able to make a difference.

How I looked for work

I found my first role through the milkround whereby employers visited the university and interviewed on site.

How I found out about the job

Careers website (University of York)

The recruitment process

Employeers published job descriptions and application forms. I completed the application form and was invited to an initial interview in the careers centre. I was subsequently invited to a second interview at the offices and then offered the job.

My career goals when I graduated

I wasn't clear on my goals when I graduated. I think my broad intention was to find a job I'd be happy in using the skills I had.

My career history

Trained as an accountant at Deloittes and worked as a senior manager there for a while. Then moved into insurance as an auditor and from that moved around the business developing my skills in various roles.

What has helped my career to progress

Enthusiasm and an open mind

Courses taken since graduation

ACA Accountancy
VBA programming
Various Leadership courses

How my studies have helped my career

They taught me the discipline of study and demonstrated my ability to work with data

What surprised me about my career so far

The amount of opportunities available once you start looking.

Where I hope to be in 5 years

Happy!

My advice to students considering work

Think about what your strengths are and what makes you happy. There are always opportunities to change direction so don't worry too much about getting it right first time.

My advice about working in my industry

Do your research - whatever industry you choose employers want to know you're serious about the role.

Contacting me

I'm happy to answer any questions on my career or to help others think about theirs.

What I do

I am an operational business manager in a large team. My role includes managing budgets and spend, progress reporting on the activity in the department and providing oversight on activities required to maintain a positive and engaging environment for staff.

Skills I use and how I developed them

I trained as a chartered accountant and use my financial skills. I also have gained a lot of people management experience through my career which I use in deploying tactical initiatives to improve the team.

What I like most

I love being able to make a difference to the people around me.

What I like least

Some of my job involves working through long detailed spreadsheets which can be time consuming and a little dull.

What surprised me most

The direction my career has taken. I started out training as an accountant, expecting to have a career in finance. Instead I have adapted my skills along the way and managed to create my own path incorporating the best elements for me.

Next steps...

If you like the look of Christine’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Christine a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Christine to be your mentor.

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