At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational delivery and spearhead international expansion for a fast-scaling sports-tech startup.
- Company: Join a dynamic Series B tech startup transforming sports monetisation through innovative gamification.
- Benefits: Enjoy a six-figure salary, extensive bonuses, equity options, and international travel opportunities.
- Other info: Work closely with founders in a high-energy environment focused on innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in scaling a business towards a £100m+ valuation while shaping the future of sports engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations and international expansion within tech or gamification sectors is essential.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 € per year.
This is a rare opportunity to join one of the fastest-scaling sports-tech businesses at a genuinely formative stage. This consumer-facing gamification platform is transforming how sports clubs monetise their courses and engage players. With a zero-cost, zero-barrier model, the platform delivers immediate revenue uplift and enhanced player experience through a seamless, technology-enabled solution.
The business has:
- Completed two funding rounds, both heavily oversubscribed
- A third round imminent, already oversubscribed by existing investors valuing the business at £40m after less than 12 months
- Scaling to 250+ live locations across 4 continents by the end of this year with a live pipeline already at over 600 locations
- A clear path toward a £100m+ valuation in the short to medium term.
The core commercial models are highly attractive netting over £100,000 revenue per location for the business, fully self-operating, with minimal installation and operational friction and no meaningful direct competition in the category. With further tech platform launches planned over the next 12 months, the business is evolving from a single product into a global platform opportunity.
A critical aspect of this plan is to recruit a Chief Operating Officer, to act as a key voice on the board, tasked with assuming all responsibility for operational delivery, not least of which being spearheading the international expansion. International expansion is already underway, the priority and key focus for this role is building the structure to scale this globally at pace, without loss of control or consistency.
The COO will have come from a tech/platform background, ideally gamification, they will most certainly have had early-stage entrepreneurial exposure, led the development and scaling of a high-growth business internationally. As an individual with a passion for business, and ideally sport, the COO will help design and lead the delivery of the strategic roadmap for the business, ensuring it is delivered in full.
You will leverage resources across the business to ensure proper deployment of projects and build key international relationships that are critical to the success of the strategy, and its component parts. This is a true Chief Operating Officer role, working very closely with and reporting to the joint-founder/CEO and working as a key member of the board, playing a key role in ensuring ambitions are met over the next few years.
Core Objectives
- Building the operational and commercial engine that transforms a high-growth concept into a scalable, international business model.
They will take full ownership of operations, with a particular focus on:
- International scaling
- Operational repeatability
- Commercial model optimisation
- Cross-functional execution
Key Responsibilities
- Build a Scalable Operating Model
- Define and implement the global operating architecture
- Translate rapid growth into repeatable, scalable systems
- Ensure the business can scale from hundreds to thousands of locations without degradation
- International Expansion Leadership
- Own the global rollout strategy
- Develop market entry frameworks (direct vs partner, localisation, compliance)
- Ensure seamless expansion into new geographies while deepening penetration in existing markets
- Build scalable infrastructure for:
- Payments
- Compliance
- Customer support
- Local market adaptation
- Unit Economics & Commercial Model Ownership
- Take full ownership of unit economics
- Optimise:
- Revenue per location
- Revenue per player
- Cost to acquire and onboard locations
- Constantly review pricing, revenue share and monetisation strategies to maximise margin and scalability
- Deployment & Onboarding Engine
- Build a world-class onboarding and activation model
- Minimise time-to-live for new locations
- Ensure consistent performance across all sites
- Create scalable playbooks enabling rapid global rollout
- Product–Commercial Integration
- Act as the bridge between technology, product and revenue
- Ensure product development aligns directly with:
- Engagement
- Retention
- Monetisation
- Establish rapid feedback loops between:
- Player behaviour
- Club performance
- Product iteration
- Data, Insight & Performance Visibility
- Implement clear KPI frameworks across the business
- Establish real-time visibility on:
- Growth metrics
- Cohort performance
- Revenue drivers
- Enable data-driven decision making across the leadership team
- Organisational Build & Execution Rhythm
- Design and build a lean, high-performance organisation
- Introduce structure, cadence and accountability without slowing momentum
- Implement:
- OKRs / performance frameworks
- Weekly execution rhythms
- Cross-functional alignment
- Founder Leverage & Strategic Execution
- Act as an integrator across the leadership team
- Translate vision into execution
- Anticipate and minimise operational friction
- Drive prioritisation and decision-making discipline
What Success Looks Like (12–18 months)
- Seamless expansion across multiple international markets
- Scalable operating model able to support 1,000+ locations
- Clear, optimised unit economics
- New product lines successfully launched
- Business on trajectory toward £100m+ valuation
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidates will have prior experience leading operations and international expansion for a tech-led/platform-led consumer business, ideally within a gamification and/or sporting environment. You will possess the demonstrable ability to lead the large operational projects/functions across a rapidly growing global marketplace, successfully scaling, developing, innovating as you go along, translating rapidly evolving technological and digital capabilities into innovative solutions and commercial success.
You will be able to demonstrate a successful track record of business growth and designing innovative initiatives and solutions, whilst remaining a broad operational leader and influencer. As a strong team player, you will be adept at leading from the front and being hands-on when necessary as you drive global teams and get behind the multiple business functions and locations. With such a fast-paced, lithe consumer-focused tech business, you will be highly adaptable, agile, and simply love working in a high-profile, dynamic business, constantly driving new innovations and commercial success.
Experience
- Proven experience scaling a B2C platform or gamification business internationally
- Track record of taking a business from early-stage to scaled operation
- Experience in international expansion
- Strong understanding of unit economics and growth models
- Background spanning operations, commercial and product environments
Capabilities
- Ability to operate at pace and under ambiguity
- Strong commercial instinct combined with operational rigour
- Data-driven decision maker with a pragmatic approach
- Experience building scalable systems without over-engineering
Personal Attributes
- High energy, highly driven, and naturally curious
- Comfortable challenging and being challenged
- Direct, decisive, and execution-focused
- Low ego, high accountability
- Thrives in fast-growth, founder-led environments
This is a high-velocity environment — decisions are made quickly, and execution is expected to match.
Why This Role
This is a genuine opportunity to:
- Join a business with exceptional early traction and investor backing
- Operate at the intersection of sport, technology and consumer engagement
- Play a defining role in scaling a business toward £100m+ valuation and beyond
- Work alongside an experienced and highly commercial founding team
- Build the operational backbone of a category-defining platform
Summary
The architect of scale. The person who ensures rapid growth becomes a globally scalable business, not uncontrolled momentum.
Chief Operating Officer F/H in Cheshire employer: GARY CHAPLIN LTD
Join a dynamic and innovative sports-tech startup that is redefining the industry with its gamification platform. As a Chief Operating Officer, you will thrive in a fast-paced environment that values entrepreneurial spirit, offering extensive growth opportunities and a collaborative work culture. With competitive compensation, equity options, and the chance to lead international expansion, this role is perfect for those passionate about technology and sports, eager to make a significant impact on a rapidly scaling business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer F/H in Cheshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and how they operate. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company’s mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Chief Operating Officer role. Highlight your experience in scaling businesses and your passion for tech and sports. Make it clear how you can contribute to their ambitious goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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. So, go ahead and submit your application today!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer F/H in Cheshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and the sports-tech industry shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re genuinely excited about transforming how sports clubs engage with players.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in tech and international expansion. We’re looking for someone who can scale operations, so be specific about your past achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the COO role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and fluff. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at GARY CHAPLIN LTD
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's mission, values, and recent achievements. Understand their gamification platform and how it transforms sports clubs. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and align your vision with theirs.
✨Showcase Your International Experience
Given the focus on international expansion, be ready to discuss your past experiences in scaling operations globally. Share specific examples of how you've navigated different markets and cultures, and how you can apply that knowledge to this role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and operational strategies. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully built scalable systems or optimised unit economics. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sports and Tech
This role sits at the intersection of sports and technology, so let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your personal experiences with sports or tech innovations, and explain how they fuel your drive to lead a high-growth business in this space.
