At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational excellence and value creation across multiple UK SMEs.
- Company: Exciting family office investing in dynamic small to medium enterprises.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and long-term career development.
- Other info: Work closely with business owners and senior executives in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing strategy and operational decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational improvement within SMEs and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Finatal are partnering with an exciting family office investing in UK-based SMEs who are seeking to appoint a Head of Operations & Value Creation to work directly alongside the owners and drive operational excellence across the group. This is a highly visible and impactful role focused on portfolio value creation, operational improvement and strategic execution. The successful candidate will work closely with management teams across multiple businesses, helping to identify opportunities for growth, improve performance and implement meaningful change. The position offers significant autonomy and responsibility, making it an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial and hands-on operator who thrives in dynamic SME environments and enjoys turning strategy into action.
Responsibilities
- Partner with portfolio company leadership teams to identify and deliver operational improvement initiatives
- Lead value creation programmes across multiple businesses, driving profitability, cash generation and operational efficiency
- Develop and implement performance measurement frameworks, dashboards and KPI reporting
- Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes across portfolio companies
- Analyse financial and operational performance, identifying trends, risks and improvement opportunities
- Work closely with management teams to implement strategic projects and operational best practices
- Support the adoption of new technologies, systems and processes to enhance business performance
- Navigate complex SME environments and effectively prioritise high-impact initiatives
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders and provide support on key operational decisions
- Contribute to strategic planning and business growth initiatives across the portfolio
- Assist with transaction and due diligence activities where required
- Act as a trusted partner to the owners, supporting both day-to-day operational matters and longer-term strategic priorities
Requirements
- Demonstrable experience delivering operational improvement and value creation initiatives within SMEs, private equity-backed businesses or similar environments
- Strong understanding of operational best practices across a range of sectors
- Excellent analytical capabilities with experience building and presenting KPI dashboards and management information
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and accounting knowledge
- Ability to operate effectively within fast-paced and often ambiguous environments
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the emotional intelligence to influence and support management teams
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong bias towards action and problem-solving
- ACA or equivalent professional qualification required
- Exposure to M&A transactions and due diligence processes advantageous but not essential
- Comfortable taking ownership and working with a high degree of autonomy
Personal Attributes
- Curious and intellectually engaged
- Humble and collaborative in approach
- Resilient and adaptable
- Flexible and comfortable operating in changing environments
- Hands-on, proactive and solutions-oriented
Opportunity
- Competitive salary and performance-related bonus
- Significant exposure to business owners, senior executives and portfolio leadership teams
- Opportunity to influence strategy and operational decision-making across a growing portfolio
- London-based office with portfolio companies located primarily across the South East
- Long-term career development potential within a highly entrepreneurial investment environment
- Opportunity to play a key role in building and growing exceptional UK businesses
Head of Operations & Value Creation in London employer: Finatal
Finatal is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and entrepreneurial work environment in London where the Head of Operations & Value Creation can thrive. With significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence strategy across a diverse portfolio of UK-based SMEs, employees benefit from long-term career development, exposure to senior executives, and a collaborative culture that values operational excellence and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations & Value Creation in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its portfolio. Understand their operational challenges and think about how you can add value. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs – it’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your achievements in operational improvement and value creation – that’s what they want to hear!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations & Value Creation in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Operations & Value Creation role. Highlight your experience in operational improvement and value creation, especially within SMEs. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and created value in previous positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to highlight your analytical capabilities. Mention any experience you have with KPI dashboards or performance measurement frameworks. We want to know how you can help us improve our operations!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it's super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finatal
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial and operational metrics. Be ready to discuss how you've used KPIs in the past to drive performance improvements. This role is all about value creation, so showing that you can analyse and present data effectively will really impress.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've turned strategy into action in previous roles. Think about specific initiatives you've led that resulted in operational improvements or growth. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex environments and prioritise high-impact initiatives.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with management teams, practice how you'll build relationships with stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your approach to influencing and supporting teams, as well as how you handle challenging conversations. Emotional intelligence is key!
✨Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit
This position requires a hands-on operator who thrives in dynamic settings. Share stories that highlight your entrepreneurial mindset and problem-solving skills. Show them you're adaptable and proactive, ready to tackle challenges head-on and drive meaningful change.
