Business Operations & Finance Associate

About Mantle

Mantle is a listed operating company building capabilities that strengthen UK resilience, supply chain security and sovereign advantage. We connect operational needs with industry, technology and capital, helping businesses develop, scale and deliver critical capabilities. Our work spans Defence, National Security and wider resilience, including secure collaboration, capability development and a growing network of partners.

The opportunity

We need a sharp, resourceful operator to give a small, ambitious leadership team more capacity. You will help keep the business organised, turn decisions into action and take ownership of practical problems. This is a broad development role with exposure to the running of a listed plc and its wider ventures, with on-the-job training across finance, Chief of Staff duties, company secretarial support and marketing.

What you will do

• Coordinate priorities, meetings, actions and project delivery; prepare briefings and follow through until tasks are complete.
• Support board and company secretarial processes, including papers, records, governance calendars and liaison with professional advisers, under appropriate supervision.
• Assist with budgets, invoices, expenses, cash-flow tracking and management reporting alongside the finance team and advisers.
• Research markets, partners and opportunities; support acquisitions, investor materials and due diligence coordination.
• Help deliver communications, website updates, marketing content, events and partner engagement across the business.
• Use AI and automation to improve research, reporting and workflows, checking accuracy and handling sensitive information responsibly.

What you bring

• Initiative, intellectual curiosity and practical judgement. You work independently, spot what needs doing and ask for help when it matters.
• AI-native working habits, strong written communication, confidence with numbers and a willingness to learn unfamiliar disciplines.
• Comfort with direct feedback, changing priorities and a robust, mission-focused environment.
• You work constructively with people of different backgrounds and views.
• High discretion and integrity; comfortable supporting Defence and National security work and willing to undergo security vetting appropriate to the role.
• Bristol-based availability and flexibility to travel.
• Graduates, early-career professionals and exceptional candidates with unconventional routes are welcome; a particular degree or military background is not required.

What we offer

Direct access to experienced leaders, meaningful responsibility from the outset and the chance to grow with the business of strategic relevance. Progression could include Chief of Staff, Finance or business operations leadership as your capability and the company develop.