At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape business strategy and lead operational transformation in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: High-growth direct marketing and events business with an entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, travel support, and potential equity opportunities.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with significant long-term progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic 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 in London employer: Croci Collective Ltd
As a Chief Operating Officer at our high-growth direct marketing and events business, 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 backed by competitive benefits including performance bonuses and potential equity opportunities. Join us in London and be part of a dynamic team that is making a significant impact in the FMCG and consumer events sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer - High-Growth. FMCG/Consumer Events in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events, seminars, or even online. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for the role and the company shine through. It’s all about making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Know their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview or networking event, drop a quick thank-you email. It keeps you on their radar and shows you’re proactive. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer - High-Growth. FMCG/Consumer Events in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of COO. Highlight your operational leadership experience and any relevant achievements in scaling teams or managing P&L. We want to see how you can bring value to our fast-paced environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've acted as a strategic partner to a CEO and how you’ve driven operational transformation in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We’re looking for someone who can lead and develop teams. In your application, mention your experience in coaching and building accountability within teams. This will show us that you have what it takes to drive our operational success.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
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.
✨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 instances where you've co-developed growth plans or led operational transformations, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in developing managers and building accountability within teams. Prepare to discuss how you've built leadership capability in fast-paced environments and how you've managed distributed or freelance workforces effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Industry
Since this role involves managing logistics for events and exhibitions, make sure you're well-versed in the UK exhibition circuit, including venues like NEC and ExCeL. Research recent trends in the FMCG and consumer events space, and be ready to discuss how you can leverage this knowledge to drive operational excellence.
