At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence across the UK, driving performance and customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join a high-growth, private equity-backed business focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a fast-paced, results-driven organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multi-site operations with a strong commercial mindset.
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 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 your professional growth through continuous training and development opportunities. Join us in a collaborative environment where your leadership will directly impact our national service operations and drive meaningful change across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like 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 those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your experience can solve them. We want you to walk in there with confidence, ready to showcase your commercial acumen and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and get comfortable discussing your achievements. We believe that being articulate about your past successes will help you shine during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for candidates who are proactive and eager to join our high-growth environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
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, as these are key to 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 led teams and improved operational performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:We want to see your strong commercial mindset in action. Include details about how you've balanced operational delivery with financial outcomes in your past positions. Numbers speak volumes!
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 examples that highlight your hands-on leadership approach. Discuss how you've led geographically dispersed teams and ensured consistency across operations. This will show that you can manage and inspire teams effectively.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research the company’s current market position and its competitors. Be prepared to discuss how you would drive operational efficiencies and improve service delivery in a high-growth environment. This shows you're not just interested in the role but also in the company's success.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific operational challenges. Think about past experiences where you've improved productivity or resolved customer issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
