At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise operations across the UK for a high-growth service business.
- Company: Join a dynamic, private equity-backed company focused on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on operational performance and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multi-site service operations and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will hold full operational responsibility for all service operations across the UK. This role is accountable for delivering safe, efficient, profitable, and customer-focused performance across all regional divisions and specialist operations. This is a critical appointment within a private equity-backed, high-growth business, where operational performance directly drives EBITDA and enterprise value.
The successful candidate will combine strong commercial acumen with hands-on operational leadership, driving margin performance, service excellence, engineering productivity, and operational consistency across a national, multi-site field service organisation.
Key Responsibilities- Operational Leadership
- Lead all operational divisions with full accountability for performance, consistency, and execution
- Establish and maintain a unified national operating model
- Own and lead weekly KPI and performance reviews across all regions
- Drive continuous improvement across engineering, scheduling, and customer service functions
- Support integration of acquisitions and regional expansion
- Margin Control & Profitability
- Take full ownership of EBITDA performance and operational margin improvement
- Drive efficiencies through productivity, routing optimisation, and cost control
- Improve commercial performance across repairs, quotations, and service delivery
- Maintain strict financial discipline across suppliers, subcontractors, and operational spend
- Service Division Ownership
- Take full responsibility for the core service division
- Ensure performance consistency across key metrics
- Customer & Commercial Performance
- Lead customer relationship strategy and escalation management
- Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction, retention, and recurring revenue
- Support account management teams in delivering commercially sustainable solutions
- Branch & Regional Leadership
- Lead and develop Regional Directors and Branch Managers
- Drive accountability through robust reporting and performance frameworks
- Ensure consistency of delivery, process, and customer experience across all regions
- Engineering Performance & Workforce Optimisation
- Maximise engineer productivity, utilisation, and routing efficiency
- Improve operational density and reduce travel inefficiencies
- Align workforce capability with service demand
- Lead workforce planning, recruitment strategy, and capability development
- Supply Chain & Operational Efficiency
- Manage supplier and subcontractor relationships to ensure performance and value
- Conduct structured supplier reviews and maintain strong commercial control
- Reduce subcontractor dependency through internal capability development
- Collaborate with innovation teams to improve operational efficiency and service delivery
- Proven success in a senior operational leadership role within a multi-site service, engineering, or field service business
- Strong track record of driving EBITDA growth and operational margin improvement
- Experience leading national field engineering operations across multiple regions
- Deep understanding of service KPIs, utilisation, routing, and operational optimisation
- Demonstrated ability to lead geographically dispersed teams and branch networks
- Experience within a private equity-backed or high-growth environment is highly desirable
- Strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance operational delivery and financial outcomes
- Highly commercial, results-driven, and accountable
- Hands-on, proactive operational leader who takes ownership without waiting for direction
- Strong cultural alignment with a collaborative, non-hierarchical environment
- Confident decision-maker with the ability to operate at pace
- Excellent communicator across all levels of the organisation
- Analytical and data-driven
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-moving, high-growth environment
Chief Operating Officer in Birmingham employer: GRG Executive Search
As a Chief Operating Officer in our dynamic, private equity-backed organisation, you will thrive in a culture that prioritises operational excellence and employee empowerment. We offer competitive remuneration, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to professional development, ensuring that you have the resources and support needed to drive impactful change across our national service operations. Join us in a collaborative environment where your leadership will directly influence our growth trajectory and customer satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that COO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your experience can help them drive EBITDA growth. We want you to show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to communicate your leadership style and operational strategies clearly. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to nail that confident delivery.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the COO role. Highlight your operational leadership experience and any achievements in driving EBITDA growth or improving service performance.
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 led teams, improved operational efficiency, or driven customer satisfaction in previous roles.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:We want to see your strong commercial mindset! In your application, mention any experiences where you balanced operational delivery with financial outcomes, especially in a high-growth or private equity-backed environment.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application 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 GRG Executive Search
✨Know Your Numbers
As a COO, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of EBITDA and operational margins. Brush up on the financial metrics relevant to the role and be ready to discuss how you've driven improvements in these areas in your previous positions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience leading multi-site operations. Share specific examples of how you've developed teams, driven accountability, and maintained performance consistency across regions. This will highlight your hands-on leadership approach.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss your strategies for driving efficiencies and optimising operations. Think of examples where you've implemented changes that led to improved productivity or customer satisfaction, as this aligns with the company's focus on service excellence.
✨Align with Company Culture
Research the company’s values and culture. Be prepared to explain how your personal attributes align with their collaborative, non-hierarchical environment. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the team.
