Head of Operations

Location: London, UK (Hybrid - typically 2-3 days in-office)

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Package: £80,000-90,000 + 10% Bonus + 10% Shares + Benefits

About Us

Appvia helps organisations build, secure and innovate across cloud, data and AI, drawing on our practical expertise gained from developing and maintaining open-source, cloud-native tools and products. As AWS Advanced and Microsoft Solutions Partners, we deliver secure, scalable platforms covering containerisation, FinOps, modernisation and data platforms. As a certified B Corporation, we are committed to balancing purpose with profit, meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance.

Interview process - 3 stage

• Discovery conversation with our Talent Acquisition team
• Interview with COO
• Final Interview with CEO

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to drive operational excellence across our growing business. This is a pivotal leadership role, reporting to the COO and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, where you will shape and optimise our internal operations, manage critical certifications and compliance programmes, and ensure we maintain our position on key public sector procurement frameworks. You will be responsible for building scalable operational processes that support our ambitious growth plans while maintaining the agility and innovation that defines our culture. This role requires someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can work autonomously, and brings a strategic mindset to operational challenges.

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement operational strategies that support business growth and efficiency
• Establish and refine internal processes, policies, and procedures to ensure smooth day-to-day operations
• Own resource planning and capacity management across the organisation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programmes
• Manage relationships with key service providers
• Roll out and embed OKR (Objectives and Key Results) methodology across the business, facilitating goal-setting cycles and tracking progress
• Coach teams on effective OKR practices, ensuring alignment between company, team, and individual objectives
• Working closely with Talent and People Operations to streamline onboarding and upskilling.

Public Sector Framework Management

• Own and manage our presence on Crown Commercial Service frameworks including G-Cloud, Digital Outcomes and Specialists (DOS), and Technology Services
• Lead framework application and renewal processes, ensuring timely submissions and competitive positioning
• Monitor framework performance, maintain compliance requirements, and optimise service listings
• Identify and evaluate new framework opportunities aligned with our strategic direction
• Ensure ongoing compliance with public sector contractual obligations and reporting requirements

Certifications, Standards & Compliance

• Maintain and enhance existing certifications including B Corp status, ensuring continued compliance and recertification
• Lead the acquisition of new ISO certifications (e.g., ISO 20000 as required for business growth
• Manage and enhance security accreditations (including Cyber Essentials and ISO27001)
• Develop and maintain the Information Security Management System (ISMS) and Quality Management System (QMS)
• Coordinate internal and external audits, manage audit findings, and drive remediation activities
• Stay current with regulatory changes and industry standards that impact our operations

Finance & Business Operations

• Oversee operational budgets and work with finance to ensure effective cost management
• Support contract management, commercial negotiations, and procurement activities
• Implement and manage operational tools, systems, and technologies
• Produce operational reports and KPIs for leadership and board review
• Contribute to company strategy and decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team

People & Culture

• Partner with leadership on people operations including onboarding, policies, and employee experience
• Support a positive, inclusive workplace culture aligned with our B Corp values
• Lead or support office management, facilities, and health and safety requirements

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven track record in operations leadership, ideally within a technology consultancy, SaaS, or professional services environment
• Experience implementing and managing OKR frameworks or similar goal-setting methodologies
• Hands‑on experience with ISO certification processes, particularly ISO 27001 (Information Security) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
• Experience scaling operations in a high-growth technology business
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities
• Strong commercial acumen and experience with contract negotiation
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Self‑starter mentality with the ability to work autonomously and drive initiatives forward

Desirable

• Experience managing UK public sector procurement frameworks (G-Cloud, DOS, or similar Crown Commercial Service agreements)
• Strong understanding of compliance requirements for UK public sector contracts
• Experience with B Corp certification and maintaining social/environmental impact standards
• Familiarity with cloud technologies, Kubernetes, or DevOps environments
• Experience with Cyber Essentials Plus or other security accreditations
• Knowledge of ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) or ISO 22301 (Business Continuity)

Why join Appvia?

We are a self‑funded, London based startup; providing businesses with a fast and secure way to deploy containerised applications into the cloud. We are on a mission to enable organisations to make cloud‑based software delivery simple and efficient, whilst having the insights into costs, security and cadence. As a company that holds customers at the heart of everything we do, we are looking for candidates that want to make a real change to how Dev and Ops is working in the industry.

With us our customers, like the UK's Home Office & Bank of England, are harnessing cloud‑native technologies, limiting the challenges of infrastructure management and rapidly delivering digital products.

What's on offer?

• Work‑life balance
• Flexible working with core hours of 10-4pm because we know life happens outside of work
• Hybrid working - only one compulsory office day per month
• 25 days' holiday a year, plus bank holidays
• An additional day off for your birthday
• Enhanced maternity and paternity to full pay
• Workplace Nursery Benefit to help working parents

For your well‑being

• Full Private Healthcare cover for you with partners and children covered
• 50% Death in Service
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Pension plus a salary sacrifice option for even greater savings
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free hygiene products available in the London office

Mental health support

• Free therapy through AXA
• Access to the Headspace App
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders

Other fun perks

• Learning budget of £1,000 a year
• Your own MacBook Pro while you work at Appvia
• Dog friendly office
• Wear what makes you comfortable
• Free snacks in the office
• Pool table & ping pong table
• Regular team socials, board game nights, industry meetups and more!

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and actively encourage, respect, and recognise diversity of thought and background throughout the business. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity, and disability status.