Strategic Operations Manager

At Cogna, we're working hard to solve the productivity crisis. Lagging productivity is the biggest barrier to economic growth and a major obstacle to addressing our most important issues, such as climate change, healthcare, and social equality.

But it’s not a single problem that can be tackled with a silver-bullet solution, it’s the accumulation of millions of highly specific, context-driven challenges across every facet of every organisation that have to be addressed on their own terms.

Cogna is on a mission to solve this very complex problem. We’re creating an AI-powered platform to understand these inefficiencies within customers’ operating models, to define the requirements, and develop the software itself in a fully automated way. The result is high-quality, precision software at scale.

Since our launch in May 2023, we’ve already seen significant traction and customer revenue that outpaces most companies at our stage. We’re backed by top VCs, including Notion Capital and Hoxton Ventures, and we’re growing our world-class team – ex Google, Microsoft, Palantir – to take us to the next level on our mission.

This is more than a job, it’s an opportunity to be part of something genuinely transformative. Are you up for the challenge?

Overview:

Following strong momentum in the UK, we want to put the foundations in place for our business to scale both in the UK and overseas. We are looking for an exceptional Strategic Operations Manager to join our team and play a foundational role in setting up the infrastructure, processes, and strategic initiatives that will drive our next phase of growth.

As Strategic Operations Manager, you will work closely with the COO and will be responsible for translating strategic ideas into operational reality. You will take ownership of strategic projects critical to scaling our operations domestically and internationally. You will have the ability to conduct strategic analysis across functions and translate insight into well-executed, high-impact operational plans. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including Finance, People, Sales and Marketing to ensure strategic initiatives are effectively scoped, launched, and embedded across the company.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys solving ambiguous, cross-disciplinary challenges.

What you will do

As Strategic Operations Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in turning strategic vision into actionable execution. You’ll partner closely with the COO and cross-functional leaders to design and deliver the systems, processes, and initiatives needed to scale our business in the UK and internationally. Your core responsibilities will include:

Driving Strategic & Growth Initiatives

• Lead cross-functional projects critical to company growth such as market entry into new regions, the launch of new business functions (e.g. offshore support), or scaling go-to-market capabilities.
• Develop and implement strategic plans in partnership with functional leaders across Finance, People, Sales, and Marketing to prepare for future scale.

Providing Business & Market Intelligence

• Build dashboards and reporting tools to provide insights into business performance and assist leadership in decision-making
• Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and regional assessments to shape product and geographic expansion strategy.
• Identify and assess strategic risks and opportunities through data-driven insights.

Building Operational Infrastructure

• Analyse and enhance existing business processes, identifying gaps and driving initiatives to improve scalability, efficiency, and cross-team collaboration.
• Be a connector and enabler across departments—facilitating alignment, driving execution, and ensuring projects are embedded operationally.

Assisting with Corporate Governance and Strategic Planning Activities

• Prepare high-quality board and shareholder materials, and support the COO in company secretarial and governance responsibilities
• Build high-level financial models to assist in long term business planning
• Support fundraising activities including researching and assessing the suitability of alternative sources of funding

Requirements

• 3-5+ years' experience in operations, strategy consulting, venture-backed startups, or similar environments.
• Strong interest in the growth journeys of founder-led, venture-backed companies, with a solid understanding of the landscape and the common challenges these businesses face as they scale
• Strong project management skills with a bias for action and execution.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and drive complex projects to completion.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• International exposure or experience supporting overseas expansion projects is a plus.

Why Join Us?

• Direct exposure to C-suite and leadership decision-making.
• High degree of autonomy and impact on company strategy and operations.
• Opportunity for career progression into leadership roles as we scale globally.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and share option plan
• 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays
• Excellent pension scheme, company contribution fixed at 7.5%
• Private healthcare, including family cover and pre-existing conditions
• Flexible hybrid working with 2 days per fortnight in our Farringdon office
• Regular social events and offsites
• Access to a gym and fitness classes in our office building