At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational strategy and drive performance in a dynamic art-tech business.
- Company: Join HENI, an innovative multi-services art business at the forefront of art and technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity for growth, and a chance to shape the future of art.
- Other info: This is a founding leadership role with significant influence on the company's direction.
- Why this job: Be a key player in redefining how the art world operates and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven executive experience in manufacturing and a passion for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
About HENI
HENI is an international multi-services art business working at the intersection of art and technology. From printmaking and physical artwork marketplaces to NFTs, publishing, news, video production, and art research, HENI works with the world's leading artists and estates to make art accessible to audiences worldwide. We are ambitious, fast-moving, and unafraid to challenge how the art world operates.
With dedicated leadership established across sales and technology, we are now making a pivotal executive appointment: a Chief Operating Officer, with a focus on production, to own and define how our business delivers. This is a founding seat at the leadership table. The COO will shape operational strategy, drive the performance agenda, and determine the standards to which everything in this business is built and run.
The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will hold full accountability for the business’s operational performance; its output, quality, people, infrastructure, and profitability. This is not a functional management role. It is an executive mandate to define how this company operates, build the organisation around that, and deliver the results.
You will be expected to set strategic direction across all operational disciplines, make decisions with commercial consequence, and lead the business through a period of deliberate growth.
Scope of Accountability
- Strategy & Performance
- Set the operational strategy for the business, aligned to commercial objectives and the proprietor’s long-term vision.
- Own all operating KPIs; output, quality, cost, yield, and on-time delivery - and be accountable for their continuous improvement.
- Drive the performance management agenda across the organisation, establishing the metrics, cadence, and culture of accountability.
- Manufacturing & Production
- Hold ultimate accountability for the full end-to-end production function: throughput, quality standards, scheduling, and cost efficiency.
- Define and govern the operating model for how this business manufactures, ensuring it can scale without compromising on quality or margin.
- Champion continuous improvement at every level, from process engineering through to operator-led problem solving.
- People & Organisation
- Build and lead a high-performing operations leadership team; attract, develop, and retain the talent required to execute the strategy.
- Set the organisational design for operational functions, including the structure, capability requirements, and resourcing model.
- Instil a culture of ownership, precision, and pride in craft which will be visible at every level of the operation.
- Commercial & Supply Chain
- Work in close partnership with sales leadership to ensure the business can deliver reliably on what it commits to commercially.
- Own supplier and vendor strategy, ensuring the supply chain is resilient, cost-effective, and aligned to quality standards.
- Provide the proprietor and the broader leadership team with clear, data-driven insight on operational performance and risk.
- Governance & Compliance
- Maintain full compliance with health, safety, and all relevant regulatory requirements, setting the standard across the facility.
- Oversee capital investment decisions within the operation, ensuring resources are deployed to maximum effect.
About You
- Executive or board-level operational leadership experience in a manufacturing setting, ideally high-value or high-precision production and created an environment of continuous improvement.
- A proven record of building operational capability, not simply running inherited functions, in environments where the bar was set by you.
- Commercial acumen: you understand how operational decisions flow through to margin, customer experience, and competitive positioning.
- Exceptional leadership presence - credible with owners and investors, respected on the factory floor, trusted by the team you build.
- A strategic thinker who operates with discipline and rigour, but is not too senior to understand what is happening at the production level.
- Experienced in privately owned, entrepreneurial businesses where agility matters and leadership carries real accountability.
- Ambitious for the business and for yourself - this is a role for someone who wants to build and improve something, not manage something.
Chief Operating Officer in Slough employer: HENI
HENI is an exceptional employer that thrives at the intersection of art and technology, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity meets operational excellence. As a Chief Operating Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a culture that values innovation and accountability. Located in a vibrant artistic community, HENI provides a unique platform to influence the art world while working alongside leading artists and estates, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Slough
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like HENI.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like HENI.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to HENI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of HENI. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at HENI
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with HENI, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at HENI, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for HENI could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at HENI as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
