At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational performance and drive growth in a dynamic professional services environment.
- Company: Ambitious private equity-backed firm with a strong heritage and clear growth strategy.
- Benefits: Join a senior leadership team and shape the future of the business.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for strategic influence and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on business transformation and scalability.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience in professional services or partner-led environments.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 180000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for a newly created Chief Operating Officer opportunity with a highly ambitious, private equity-backed professional services business entering a significant phase of growth and transformation. This is a senior Board-level appointment, working closely with the CEO, CFO, wider C-Suite and Partner group to help shape the future operating model of the business. The organisation has a strong heritage, an established client base and a clear growth strategy across the South East and London.
The COO will play a key role in driving operational performance, integration, scalability and commercial delivery across the firm. This will include working closely with a large Partner group supporting alignment, accountability and consistency as the business moves into its next phase of growth.
The Role
As Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for leading and improving the operational infrastructure of the business, ensuring it is fit for future scale. Key responsibilities will include:
- Working as part of the Board and C-Suite leadership team to deliver the growth strategy.
- Supporting the transition into a more scalable, integrated and professionally managed operating model.
- Working closely with Partners to drive alignment, consistency and commercial accountability.
- Reviewing and improving operational processes, systems, reporting and governance.
- Driving efficiency, productivity, margin improvement and performance visibility.
- Supporting future acquisition integration across people, systems, process, culture and service delivery.
- Creating clear operating rhythms, KPIs and accountability across the business.
- Working closely with finance, HR, commercial and service line leaders to improve performance.
- Supporting change management across a long-established, partner-led professional services environment.
- Helping retain a strong client service culture while creating the infrastructure required for growth.
About You
We are looking for a highly credible senior operational leader who has operated at Board, C-Suite or senior leadership level within a professional services or partner-led business. You will need to demonstrate operational leadership, stakeholder management, commercial performance and business transformation in a previous role.
Essential Experience
- Proven senior leadership experience within professional services, accountancy, legal, advisory, consulting or a similar partner-led environment.
- Experience working with Partners, fee earners or senior technical leaders.
- Board, C-Suite or senior management team experience.
- Strong operational, commercial and financial understanding.
- Experience improving process, reporting, governance, systems and business infrastructure.
- Ability to drive change in a collaborative and commercially sensitive way.
- Experience supporting business growth, scalability or transformation.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior level.
- Confident working across multiple departments and leadership groups.
- Comfortable operating strategically while remaining close enough to the detail to deliver change.
Desirable Experience
- Accountancy practice or wider professional services experience.
- Private equity-backed business experience.
- Acquisition integration or buy-and-build exposure.
- Multi-site experience.
- Experience supporting cultural change within an established business.
- Strong understanding of KPIs, utilisation, productivity and margin performance.
Key Skills
- Board-level operational leadership
- Partner engagement and alignment
- Business transformation
- Acquisition integration
- Process improvement
- Commercial performance
- Governance and reporting
- Change management
- Stakeholder influence
- Strategic execution
- KPI development
- People leadership
To apply please submit your CV for confidential consideration.
Chief Operating Officer in Canterbury employer: Fresh People
As a Chief Operating Officer at our dynamic, private equity-backed professional services firm, you will be part of an ambitious team dedicated to driving growth and transformation in the South East and London. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values innovation and accountability, offering exceptional opportunities for professional development and leadership within a supportive environment. Join us to shape the future of our organisation while enjoying the benefits of a strong heritage and a clear strategic vision.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Canterbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to build relationships that could lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their growth strategy, recent achievements, and challenges they face. This will help us tailor your responses and show you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the COO role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm and professionalism, which we know employers appreciate.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Highlight your experience in operational leadership and business transformation, especially in professional services. We want to see how your background aligns with our growth strategy!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you've driven efficiency, improved processes, or supported business growth in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you've made.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can engage with our Partners and C-Suite, so show us your communication style and how you build relationships. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fresh People
✨Know Your Numbers
As a COO, you'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of operational metrics and financial performance. Brush up on key KPIs relevant to the role, such as productivity, margin improvement, and utilisation rates. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive change in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This is a senior position, so it's crucial to convey your leadership style effectively. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing teams, driving alignment among partners, and fostering a strong client service culture. Think about how you can illustrate your ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
✨Be Ready for Change Management Questions
Given the focus on transformation and scalability, expect questions around change management. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've successfully led change initiatives, particularly in a partner-led environment. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you navigated any challenges during the process.
✨Align with Their Vision
Research the company's growth strategy and be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs. Show that you understand their current operational challenges and articulate how your experience can help them transition into a more integrated and professionally managed operating model.
