Operations Director in Guildford

Operations Director in Guildford

Guildford Full-Time 67000 - 79000 £ / year (est.) Working from home possible
IRGMedia

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operations, optimise systems, and ensure high-quality campaign delivery.
  • Company: Join IRG Media, a fast-growing influencer marketing agency with a dynamic team.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, fully remote work, and clear career progression.
  • Other info: Opportunity to grow into a senior role and influence company vision.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of a growing agency and make a real impact on operations.
  • Qualifications: Experience with CRM systems and a passion for optimising processes.

The predicted salary is between 67000 - 79000 £ per year.

  • Operations Director with IRG Media
  • Remote, EU / UK Preferred
  • £67,000 - £79,000 (DEO) + performance-linked upside (tied to quarterly KPI’s)
  • We're looking for a strategic yet execution-obsessed

Operations Director to own daily delivery, margin oversight, system maintenance, development and optimization of systems and processes — acting as the

CEO’s right hand in building a scalable business structure and operating model as the agency develops and grows as the agency scales.

You’ll oversee the delivery engine at the heart of the agency — building infrastructure, embedding systems, and ensuring campaign outcomes hit our financial and quality benchmarks.

Must be an expert with CRM’s like Clickup and Automation platforms like Zapier or Make.

About Us

IRG Media is a fast growing influencer marketing agency driving high-performance campaigns with creators across the US, UK, AU and EU.

We've executed for brands like Holafly, My Heritage, Hello Fresh, and Revolut UK — with a growing portfolio of clients and a relentless focus on delivery quality, margin, and client retention.

Why This Role Exists Now

IRG is growing fast.

With a busy team of specialists, things move quickly.

This role ensures that everything stays organised, efficient and high-performing.

The Operations Director is a newly designed role focused on

  • Ownership of systems and processes
  • Driving consistency in utilisation, and margin delivery
  • Maturing the business KPI's, financial and operational metrics

The Operations Director will make delivery predictable, team performance measurable and client success visible - setting new standards for how we structure and deliver our great work.

Responsibilities / Ownership 1. System Design & SOP Enforcement

  • Own and optimize all Click Up systems and associated processes.
  • Maintain and develop IRG's software suite , ensuring that the team adhere to best practices and are supported by best-in-class systems.
  • Implement automations (Zapier, Slack, Make, Click Up native) that reduce team workload
  • Run weekly reviews of system compliance and flag gaps immediately
  • 2. Margin and Cost Control
  • Own gross margin tracking across all active projects
  • Maintain ≥40% gross margin across the agency
  • Flag low-margin risks before they affect client trust
  • Create and embed systems to reduce overburn, reduce delivery drift and enforce cost pacing
  • 3. Team Utilization and Accountability
  • Track weekly utilization across all team members — with target ranges of 70–80%
  • Manage capacity planning in Click Up; reassign where needed to keep projects moving
  • Enforce time tracking, task hygiene, and role accountability
  • Own KPI enforcement and relevant tracking for the team.
  • Build dashboards that create visibility for the leadership team
  • 4. Leadership Responsibilities
  • Contribute to and own, as required strategic initiatives as agreed with CEO / board
  • Assist the CEO in structure, forward planning and operational decision-making as the business grows and scales
  • Produce clear reporting and operational insight for the leadership team and board to assist with critical decision making
  • Contribute to and help to maintain a positive, supportive and accountable agency environment
  • Success in This Role Looks Like

Within 30 days

  • You’ve taken ownership of Click Up systems
  • KPI tracking is live for delivery, margin, and team usage
  • CEO has visibility into what's on track, what’s late, and what’s leaking margin / retention
  • You have devised and agreed a plan with the CEO for agency operations

Within 90 days

  • You’ve reduced ops firefighting
  • Team is running at target utilization
  • Delivery and margin KPIs are being hit consistently
  • You’ve reduced the agency delivery cycle by 15-25%.

Within 6–12 months

  • Delivery no longer depends on the CEO’s direct oversight
  • You’ve made delivery margins predictable
  • Retention risks are flagged early, not late
  • You’ve built dashboards the CEO actually relies on to make decisions
  • The team’s development is clearly visible.
  • You’ll Thrive in This Role If…
  • You think in systems, not tasks
  • You enjoy taking messy workflows and making them clean, scalable, and trackable
  • You’re obsessive about closing feedback loops
  • You know how to say “no” to unscalable fixes
  • You know how to track the right numbers — and use them to make decisions
  • You’ve operated in fast-moving agency environments or founder-led startups
  • PERFORMANCE-BASED BONUS IS TIED TO…
  • Client Retention
  • Team Utilization
  • Delivery KPIs (on-time, error-free execution)
  • Automation coverage and cycle time reduction
  • Progression

This role can grow into

COO , helping scale IRG into a sellable company

…but only when systems scale better because of you.

Benefits

  • £67,000 - £79,000 (DEO) + performance-linked upside (tied to quarterly KPI’s)
  • Fully remote
  • Clear progression into Senior Level Roles
  • High-trust, high-expectation environment
  • Large progression for growth (uncapped growth potential here given we are small)
  • Be one of the early members to shape and build the company vision

Operations Director in Guildford employer: IRGMedia

IRG Media is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-trust, fully remote work environment where every team member takes ownership of their projects. With a clear progression path and significant growth opportunities, employees are empowered to shape the future of the campaigns department while working collaboratively with a dynamic team. The company values innovative thinking and operational excellence, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in influencer marketing.

IRGMedia

Contact Details:

IRGMedia Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Guildford

Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions

Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Director at IRGMedia!

Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks

Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like IRGMedia or be willing to refer you for that Operations Director position!

Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from IRGMedia who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Director star!

Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online

Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Director role at IRGMedia!

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Guildford

Strategic Planning
Execution Management
System Design
SOP Enforcement
CRM Expertise (ClickUp)
Automation Platforms (Zapier, Make)
Margin and Cost Control

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at IRGMedia. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!

Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.

Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!

How to prepare for a job interview at IRGMedia

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

Know Your Numbers

Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

Show Your Leadership Flair

As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Be a Cultural Fit

We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at IRGMedia. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!