At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations in a dynamic trading environment and ensure smooth execution.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge proprietary trading firm focused on sports trading.
- Benefits: Earn up to £120,000 plus equity, bonuses, and 30 days holiday.
- Other info: Hybrid role in Central London; Russian speakers preferred.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, performance-driven organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in trading operations or leadership roles required.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Central London (Hybrid) — candidates must be located in London
Reports to: Founder & Chief Investment Officer
Salary: Up to £120,000 plus equity, plus performance bonus
Visa sponsorship: Not available; candidates must already hold the right to work in the UK
Languages: Russian speaker ideal
About the Business
Our client is a proprietary trading firm and alternative investment manager focused on quantitative and fundamental sports trading. With professionals based across Europe, Asia and the US, they combine deep research with proprietary, technology-driven methodologies to trade major public sports exchanges and markets. Their trading philosophy is rooted in a passion for competitive sports and quantitative research. By applying predictive systems alongside seasoned market expertise, they aim to deliver sustainable short- and long-term, risk-adjusted returns with little to no correlation to traditional financial markets. The firm runs systematic strategies across the world's most actively traded sports, identifying market inefficiencies and diversifying capital across multiple wagering categories, including spreads, totals, and related markets.
Role Overview
This role is designed for a hands-on operator who wants to work close to the engine room of a trading business. The Operations Manager / COO will take ownership of day-to-day operational execution across trading operations, risk processes, capital flows, and cross-team coordination. The focus is not on corporate overhead, but on ensuring the machine runs cleanly, predictably, and safely as trading activity scales. This is a build-and-own position, not simply a maintenance role. Sitting close to the CEO, the role acts as the operational backbone of the business. It requires strong judgment in high-pressure environments, the ability to translate strategy into execution, and comfort operating across trading operations, process design, risk coordination, and cross-functional delivery. The ideal candidate is a hands-on operator who can bring clarity, cadence, and accountability to a performance-driven organisation without imposing unnecessary bureaucracy. This position is suited to someone with experience building operational infrastructure in live, high-stakes environments, who is motivated by ownership, impact, and long-term platform quality rather than the maintenance of legacy systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee trading operations across all strategies, ensuring consistent execution standards, effective monitoring, and timely intervention when performance deviates from expectations
- Partner closely with traders and researchers to ensure operational processes actively support strategy performance
- Maintain operational oversight of capital allocation, execution workflows, and performance reporting
- Implement and maintain frameworks for operational risk controls, exposure management, and decision-making during periods of drawdown or elevated volatility
- Act as a central coordination point between trading, research, engineering, and external service providers
- Ensure operational dependencies are managed effectively and issues are identified and resolved promptly
- Oversee operational infrastructure, including data flows, tooling, reporting processes, and relationships with platforms, counterparties, and vendors
- Contribute to hiring, team structure, and organisational scaling as the business grows
Background and Experience
The ideal candidate will have held operational or leadership responsibility within a performance-driven, trading-focused environment. Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Sports betting syndicates or professional betting operations
- Proprietary trading firms or hedge funds
- Quantitative or systematic trading businesses
- Execution-focused trading or risk management roles
- Senior operations, desk management, or COO roles in data-driven organisations
Candidates may come from Operations Manager, Head of Trading Operations, Trading Manager, COO, or similar roles, provided they have had direct responsibility for operational performance and cross-functional coordination.
Skills and Attributes
- Strong operational judgement and attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise effectively in fast-moving, high-pressure environments
- Comfortable making decisions under uncertainty and communicating clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Solid understanding of trading execution, operational risk, and performance monitoring
- High level of technical literacy, particularly around trading systems, data pipelines, and execution tooling
- Pragmatic, results-focused mindset with the ability to balance strategic oversight and hands-on involvement
- Russian speaker preferred
Benefits
- Salary: Up to £120,000, plus equity, plus performance bonus
- Profit-share bonus
- KPI-based bonus scheme
- 30 days holiday (excluding bank holidays)
- Private health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life and accident insurance
Please note: no visa sponsorship is available for this role. Candidates must be based in London.
Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer, London employer: Emerald Zebra
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Central London, where innovation meets performance-driven culture. With competitive salaries, equity options, and generous benefits including 30 days of holiday and comprehensive health insurance, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The firm fosters a collaborative atmosphere that encourages growth and development, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in the trading industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer, London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer, London at Emerald Zebra!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Emerald Zebra or be willing to refer you for that Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer, London position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Emerald Zebra who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer, London star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer, London role at Emerald Zebra!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Emerald Zebra. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Emerald Zebra
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Emerald Zebra. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
