At a Glance
- Tasks: Help businesses improve operations and execute strategic projects effectively.
- Company: Join Firebird Capital, a dynamic family office focused on growing SMEs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity options, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing business performance and scalability.
- Qualifications: Strong operational experience and excellent project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 140000 € per year.
Firebird Capital is a UK family office that buys and grows small and medium-sized businesses, mainly in business services and property maintenance sectors. We work closely with management teams to help businesses become more organised, scalable and profitable over the long term.
The Role
We are looking for a practical, highly organised person to help Firebird and its portfolio companies run better as we continue to grow. The role is about helping businesses execute better, stay organised, follow through on priorities and improve how they operate day to day. You will work directly with the CEO and management teams across the portfolio to:
- keep projects moving,
- improve reporting,
- support acquisitions,
- help build stronger leadership teams,
- put better systems and processes in place.
Ultimately, the goal is simple: Help Firebird’s businesses become better run, more scalable and more valuable over time.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Build strong relationships with portfolio management teams
- Help portfolio companies stay organised, focused and accountable against priorities
- Coordinate KPI reporting, board packs, action tracking and operational follow-up
- Help management teams deliver strategic projects
- Support onboarding and integration of new acquisitions, including 100-day plans and operational setup
- Help improve systems, reporting, operational processes and management structure across the portfolio
- Support recruitment, onboarding, leadership development and succession planning
- Help build stronger second-tier management teams within portfolio companies
- Lead/Support AI, systems and automation projects across Firebird and the portfolio
- Reduce the amount of operational coordination, chasing and recurring management tasks required from the CEO
About You
- Aligned with our values
- Pragmatic, low ego and willing to roll your sleeves up
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Commercially minded
- Self-starter with a growth mindset
- Comfortable managing and completing multiple projects at once
- Strong communicator who builds trust easily
- Comfortable working directly with founders and leadership teams
- Strong operational experience with a proven track record in SMEs, operationally intensive businesses or transformation roles
- Good at creating structure, accountability and follow-through
- Comfortable working in fast-moving, entrepreneurial environments
This role is not suited to a traditional investment professional or career consultant. We are specifically looking for someone with genuine operational experience and a track record of helping businesses improve execution, organisation and operational performance.
What This Role Is NOT
- Not a traditional investment professional role
- Not a consultancy-style advisory position
- Not a purely strategic role removed from day-to-day execution
- Not a layer between the CEO and portfolio company leaders
- Not focused on financial engineering or complex modelling
- Not about building unnecessary corporate processes
The Firebird CEO will remain responsible for: strategy, acquisitions, capital allocation, and relationships with portfolio company CEOs.
Working Pattern
Hybrid working: Home: likely 1–2 days per week; London: likely 1–2 days per week; Portfolio companies: likely 1–2 days per week.
Compensation
£90,000–£140,000 depending on experience; Performance-related bonus (up to 20% of salary); Long-term incentive plan (LTIP / carry / equity scheme); 6-month probation; 6-month notice period; 35 days holiday including bank holidays.
This is an opportunity to help build a growing investment platform alongside an ambitious, hands-on investor, with exposure to acquisitions, strategy and operational improvement across multiple businesses.
Portfolio Operations Director — Family Investment Office (London / Hybrid) employer: Firebird Capital
Firebird Capital is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work culture, where employees are empowered to make a tangible impact on the growth and success of small and medium-sized businesses. With a strong focus on operational excellence and employee development, team members benefit from hybrid working arrangements, competitive compensation packages, and ample opportunities for professional growth within a supportive environment. Joining Firebird means being part of a forward-thinking family office that values pragmatism, innovation, and a hands-on approach to business improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Operations Director — Family Investment Office (London / Hybrid)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. 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 operational excellence shine through. Share examples of how you've helped businesses improve their processes and performance – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews by researching the company and its portfolio. Understand their challenges and think about how you can help them become more organised and scalable. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join a dynamic team!
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Operations Director — Family Investment Office (London / Hybrid)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills:In your application, make sure to highlight your organisational prowess. We want to see how you've helped businesses stay focused and accountable in the past. Share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to keep projects moving and improve operational processes.
Be Pragmatic and Hands-On:We’re looking for someone who’s not afraid to roll their sleeves up! In your written application, convey your practical approach to problem-solving and how you’ve tackled challenges head-on in previous roles. This will show us you’re a great fit for our hands-on culture.
Communicate Clearly:Strong communication is key in this role. When writing your application, ensure your ideas are clear and concise. Use straightforward language to describe your experiences and how you’ve built trust with management teams in the past. We appreciate clarity!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically for this role at Firebird Capital. Highlight your operational experience and how it aligns with our goals of improving execution and organisation. Don’t forget to apply through our website – we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Firebird Capital
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Firebird Capital thoroughly. Understand their portfolio, values, and the sectors they operate in. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Showcase Your Operational Experience
Since this role is all about improving execution and operational performance, be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences. Highlight how you've helped businesses become more organised and scalable, and be prepared to explain the impact of your contributions.
✨Demonstrate Your Relationship-Building Skills
Firebird values strong relationships with management teams. Think of examples where you've successfully built trust and collaborated with others. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to help portfolio companies stay focused and accountable.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to face practical scenarios during the interview that test your problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach coordinating KPI reporting or supporting new acquisitions. Being able to articulate your thought process will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
