Operations Director

BKL is a Top 40 accountancy and advisory business supporting a diverse client base, from entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals to ambitious owner-managed businesses and multinational groups. With a legacy spanning over 130 years, we’ve evolved into a modern, purpose-driven business that balances profit with impact. We are proud to be a certified B Corp, reflecting our commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible governance.

The Operations Director ensures the Accounts & Business Services (ABS) team operates as a unified, high-performing department aligned with the firm’s strategy. This internal leadership role drives operational excellence, consistency, and innovation across all ABS disciplines, supporting sustainable growth and profitability through efficient delivery, strong client relationships, and high-quality output. You will champion the development of people and teams, embed robust quality and risk controls, and leverage insight from data, technology, and marketing to strengthen BKL’s ABS proposition.

By challenging existing ways of working and promoting continuous improvement, you will help future-proof the ABS function, ensuring it delivers an exceptional client experience while supporting long-term commercial success through ethical leadership, innovation, and scalable delivery.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Department and Strategic Planning: Align the ABS team structure, capacity, and operating model with the firm’s strategic goals, ensuring effective collaboration across service lines and with other departments. Drive innovation and continuous improvement in processes, systems, and delivery models to improve efficiency, margin, and client experience. Oversee forecasting, utilisation, and pricing insights to ensure work is delivered profitably and at scale, supporting sustainable growth.
• Operational Excellence and Quality: Establish and embed robust quality controls, workflows, and risk management frameworks to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely delivery of client work. Champion best practice across accounts preparation, management reporting, bookkeeping, and advisory services, ensuring compliance with professional standards and internal policies. Support Pod Leaders in balancing skill sets, capacity, and technical capability to meet changing client demand and regulatory requirements.
• Team Development: Foster a high-performance culture where teams live the firm’s values, collaborate effectively, and take ownership for outcomes. Partner with People and Culture to identify talent, manage succession planning, and reduce key person risk across the ABS function. Drive performance management, capability uplift, and leadership development within ABS Pods, developing future leaders and strengthening accountability.
• ABS Growth, Technology, and Client Proposition: Strengthen BKL’s ABS proposition by working with Marketing and Growth to articulate clear service offerings and value-led messaging. Identify opportunities to expand advisory services, improve client segmentation, and enhance cross-referrals with Tax, Audit, and other service lines. Champion the effective use of technology and data to improve client insight, automate routine work, and enable teams to focus on higher-value activity.

You’ll Be Ideal for This Role If You Have:

• Significant senior leadership experience in a professional services environment, ideally within an ABS or similar multi-service function.
• A strong track record of leading operational delivery across large, multi-disciplinary teams, driving performance, efficiency, and consistency.
• Proven experience in designing and embedding scalable processes, systems, and ways of working to support growth.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, improving profitability, and aligning operations to strategic objectives.
• Experience leading business transformation, including change management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• A clear understanding of risk, governance and quality frameworks within a professional services or regulated environment.
• The ability to work in close partnership with Partners and senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making and driving accountability.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with a focus on building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate strategy into operational delivery.
• A professional accountancy qualification is not required — we are open to candidates with strong operational leadership experience from across professional services.

Our Values

• Think Big – Be curious, brave, and open to new ideas.
• In It Together – Collaborate, care, and build an inclusive culture.
• Take Pride – Strive for excellence and believe in your impact.
• Do the Right Thing – Act with integrity, honesty, and fairness.
• Enjoy It – Bring your whole self to work and have fun doing it.

Working With Us: Your Benefits, Wellbeing & Development

At BKL, we’re committed to creating a people-first workplace where everyone can thrive. We offer a carefully curated benefits package, wellbeing support, and meaningful development opportunities that empower you to grow your career.

Snapshot of our Benefits Package

• Private Medical Insurance (PMI) – including mental health cover, hospital treatment & 24/7 GP access
• Health Cash Plans – covering everyday costs like dental, optical & physiotherapy and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension scheme – helping you save for retirement in a tax-efficient way
• Group Life Assurance – peace of mind with financial protection for your loved ones
• Cashback & savings portal – discounts across hundreds of high-street and online retailers
• Cycle to Work Scheme – spread the cost of a new bike and accessories tax-free
• Electric Vehicle Scheme – sustainable transportation options that include roadside support and servicing
• Free Mortgage Advice – expert guidance for your home-buying journey
• Season Ticket Loan – support with travel expenses
• Enhanced Family Leave – generous leave policies for family-related needs
• Holiday Entitlement – generous entitlement which increases with promotion

Development & Growth

• Clear development pathways and progression frameworks
• Professional qualifications support – including study time and funding
• Internal mentoring, coaching, and buddying schemes
• Leadership development programmes to help you grow with us
• Regular check-ins and performance conversations – driven by your goals, not just metrics

Take Your Next Step

Ready to grow your career with a company that balances ambition with purpose? Apply today and discover how far you can go at BKL.

Our Recruitment Process

• An introductory Teams call with our Talent Acquisition team.
• A first-stage interview with two team members.
• A final interview at our London office, including a tour to give you a feel for our working environment.

Compliance & Equal Opportunities

BKL is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates eligible to work in the UK. We know you have a lot to offer, which is why we want to give you the freedom to thrive no matter who you are or what your background is. You will have every opportunity to use your creativity in how you approach your work and the support to innovate.

Commitment to Information Security and Data Protection

At BKL, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of information security and data protection through a comprehensive framework of policies and procedures. As part of this role, you will be expected to stay informed about these policies and ensure full compliance at all times.

Take Your Next Step

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d be delighted to discuss the career you could build at BKL.