At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape business strategy and lead operational transformation in a high-growth environment.
- Company: Dynamic direct marketing and events business with an entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, travel support, and potential equity opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career progression and autonomy in shaping operations.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced team and make a real impact on international expansion.
- Qualifications: Proven operational leadership experience and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 € per year.
Hybrid (London Based with Regular UK Event Travel) £65,000 - £80,000 Salary Depending on Experience, plus Performance Bonus, Car Allowance / Travel Support, Potential Profit Share / Equity Opportunity & More Full Time - Permanent.
Reporting to: CEO.
Company: High‑growth direct marketing and events business.
Clients: Leading consumer subscription and FMCG brands.
Culture: Entrepreneurial | Hands‑On | Fast‑Paced | Collaborative | High Accountability.
Role Overview
Act as the CEO’s strategic counterpart to shape business strategy, organisational design, and operational transformation across a rapidly growing UK‑wide operation with international ambitions.
Key Responsibilities
- Co‑develop and execute strategic growth plans alongside the CEO.
- Act as a strategic advisor and operational counterpart to the CEO on major business decisions.
- Lead operational delivery across nationwide events and exhibition campaigns.
- Oversee staffing, logistics, scheduling, accommodation and equipment planning.
- Drive organisational design and operational scalability as the business grows.
- Manage operational budgets, event‑level P&L and cost‑control initiatives.
- Lead and develop operational management and performance structures.
- Oversee freelance workforce planning, recruitment and retention strategies.
- Build leadership capability through coaching, accountability and management development.
- Manage relationships with venues, organisers, suppliers and brand stakeholders.
- Act as the senior escalation point for operational, workforce and compliance issues.
- Support governance across People operations, culture and workforce strategy.
- Drive systems, reporting, KPI and process improvement initiatives.
- Build scalable SOPs, workflows and operational frameworks.
- Champion operational technology, reporting dashboards and process automation.
- Support change management, restructuring and operational transformation activity.
- Support international operational expansion initiatives including the US market.
- Present operational reporting, workforce metrics and commercial insights at leadership level.
Qualifications
- Proven operational leadership experience within field marketing, direct sales, experiential marketing or events.
- Demonstrable experience operating as a strategic partner to a CEO, founder or MD.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with P&L management experience.
- Experience scaling teams, operational structures and organisational processes.
- Strong leadership capability with experience developing managers and building accountability.
- Experience managing distributed or freelance workforces within fast‑paced operational environments.
- Experience managing logistics across multiple concurrent events, campaigns or field operations.
- Excellent relationship management and stakeholder communication skills.
- Comfortable operating within fast‑paced, founder‑led SME environments.
- Hands‑on, adaptable and willing to roll sleeves up when needed.
- Strong change management and operational transformation capability.
- Experience driving operational structure, governance and scalable systems.
- Highly organised with excellent decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.
- Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational execution.
- Knowledge of the UK exhibition and consumer events circuit including NEC, ExCeL and Olympia.
- Experience within subscription or continuity sales models.
- Familiarity with contractor or freelance workforce management.
- Exposure to US expansion or international operational growth.
- Background within entrepreneurial or scaling businesses.
Benefits
- Genuine strategic seat at the leadership table.
- Direct partnership with the CEO and real influence over business direction.
- Opportunity to shape and scale the operational backbone of a growing business.
- Executive‑level ownership with highly visible impact.
- Fast‑paced, entrepreneurial and collaborative culture.
- Opportunity to help drive international expansion.
- Significant long‑term progression opportunity including potential profit share or equity discussion.
- Autonomy to build systems, structures and operational excellence your way.
In return you’ll gain real influence, high autonomy and the opportunity to help shape a scaling business at executive level.
Chief Operating Officer - High-Growth. FMCG/Consumer Events employer: Croci Collective Ltd
As a Chief Operating Officer at our high-growth direct marketing and events business based in London, you will thrive in an entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment that values collaboration and accountability. With a genuine strategic seat at the leadership table, you will have the autonomy to shape operational excellence while driving international expansion, all supported by competitive benefits including performance bonuses and potential equity opportunities. Join us to make a significant impact on the future of leading consumer subscription and FMCG brands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer - High-Growth. FMCG/Consumer Events
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events or online. We all know that who you know can sometimes be just as important as what you know, so don’t be shy about making those connections.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want to see you shine, so understand their values and how you can contribute to their fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your operational expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing logistics and scaling teams. We love candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on approach and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talent that can help us drive international expansion and operational excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer - High-Growth. FMCG/Consumer Events
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Strategic Side:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience as a strategic partner to CEOs or founders. We want to see how you've shaped business strategies and driven operational transformations in your previous roles.
Be Hands-On:We love a hands-on approach! Share examples of how you've rolled up your sleeves to manage logistics, staffing, and event delivery. This will show us that you're not just about the big picture but also about getting into the nitty-gritty.
Demonstrate Financial Acumen:Since managing budgets and P&L is key for this role, be sure to include any relevant financial experience. Talk about how you've successfully managed costs and driven profitability in past positions.
Tailor Your Application:Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our company culture and values. We’re looking for someone who thrives in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments, so let us know how you fit that bill!
How to prepare for a job interview at Croci Collective Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a COO, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial and financial acumen. Brush up on your P&L management skills and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets in previous roles. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to drive cost-control initiatives and improve operational efficiency.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires you to act as a strategic partner to the CEO. Be prepared to discuss your experience in shaping business strategy and organisational design. Think of examples where you've co-developed growth plans or led operational transformations, and be ready to articulate your thought process behind those decisions.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
The company values strong leadership capability, so come equipped with stories that highlight your experience in developing managers and building accountability within teams. Discuss how you've managed distributed workforces and fostered collaboration in fast-paced environments, as this will resonate well with their entrepreneurial culture.
✨Understand the Event Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the UK exhibition and consumer events circuit, including venues like NEC, ExCeL, and Olympia. Being knowledgeable about the industry will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the role. Prepare to discuss any relevant experiences you have in managing logistics for multiple concurrent events.
