Operations Manager (6 month FTC) in Edinburgh

Operations Manager (6 month FTC) in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Temporary 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
I

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operational excellence and support strategic initiatives in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join Isio, a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, professional development, and a supportive culture.
  • Other info: Flexible work arrangements and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while growing your career in a collaborative team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in operations management and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We’re growing and want you to be a part of our journey.

Term - 6 month FTC to start asap

Location: This role is hybrid 2-3 days in the office each week and can be based in any of our regional offices with the exception of London.

The successful candidate will provide high‑quality, consistent operational performance across all service lines, supported by a strong control environment with clear risk ownership and prompt issue resolution. It focuses on ensuring efficient, compliant, and client‑friendly onboarding and lifecycle processes, while strengthening operational resilience and supplier governance. A key part of the remit includes providing clear, trusted operational reporting for senior management and regulators, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the organisation.

There will be a focus on three core priorities:

  • Supporting the delivery of a defined firmwide operational programme, including planning, governance, and progress tracking.
  • Supporting the design, enhancement, and implementation of the firm’s Target Operating Model.
  • Supporting the development and embedding of a consistent set of operational KPIs.

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Support the Head of Strategy Execution in delivering a firmwide operations programme, including planning, governance, and progress tracking.
  • Coordinate activity across service lines and central functions, maintaining oversight of dependencies, risks, and milestones.
  • Maintain programme documentation, actions, and decision logs; prepare concise progress updates for senior stakeholders.
  • Act as a point of integration between operations, technology, risk, and finance activities to support joined‑up delivery.
  • Support the definition and refinement of clear, consistent ways of working across the firm’s operations.
  • Help clarify roles, responsibilities, and interfaces between Group, service lines, and enabling functions.
  • Support the establishment of effective governance, decision‑making, and escalation arrangements.
  • Work with colleagues across Operations, Technology, Risk, and Finance to ensure operational processes, controls, and reporting are well aligned and scalable.
  • Support service lines in embedding agreed operational standards in a way that maintains continuity of client delivery.
  • Support the development and implementation of a firmwide operational KPI framework aligned to strategic priorities.
  • Help define consistent measures, data ownership, and reporting cadence across service lines.
  • Support the production of clear, executive‑level dashboards and MI for ExCo and Board reporting.
  • Help embed performance measures into business‑as‑usual forums, enabling proactive management rather than retrospective reporting.

Key Skills & Experience:

  • Experience in operations management within a professional services or regulated environment.
  • Strong understanding of operational risk, controls, and regulatory expectations (FCA/PRA preferred).
  • Proven ability to manage complex operational services, suppliers, and change initiatives.
  • Experience working closely with Risk, Compliance, Finance, and Technology teams.

Skills & Capabilities:

  • Strong operational judgement with a control‑first mindset.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Strong organisational, governance, and documentation capabilities.
  • Analytical mindset with experience producing clear operational MI for senior leadership.
  • Ability to balance day‑to‑day operational delivery with longer‑term improvement and transformation.
  • Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, multi‑stakeholder professional services environment.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

What we offer you: Isio is a people business, and we’re committed to helping our great colleagues gain a wide variety of experience, significant development opportunities and progression through the business. The variety of work that’ll be available to you will enable you to do this.

About Isio: Isio was ‘born’ in 2020 from the sale of KPMG UK’s Pension Practice to a private equity firm. An industry-leading challenger, we provide diverse expertise spanning Pensions, Investment, Benefits and Wealth to give clients an integrated experience. Isio is built by challengers, innovators and forward‑thinkers, grounded around a vision which strives to deliver greater financial confidence for everyone. We empower and develop those who join us – valuing curious minds and giving people the freedom to outperform. Known and respected for our agility, we harness specialist experience, bold thinking and the desire to push the boundaries of what we can achieve for our clients, from small to blue chip, public to private.

At Isio, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace, in which our colleagues feel they belong, regardless of background or difference. We uphold the values of respect, fairness, and inclusion in our actions and decisions. We believe that by adhering to these principles, we will create a stronger, more innovative, and supportive environment for all, as well as ensuring that the advice and support we provide to our clients is more creative, more insightful and leaves a lasting impact.

We have offices across the UK and many of our roles offer a hybrid, flexible approach to work to help create a work‑life balance that works for you. Isio Group is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Operations Manager (6 month FTC) in Edinburgh employer: Isio

Isio is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a dynamic and supportive work culture. With a commitment to high performance and accountability, we offer competitive salaries, market-leading bonuses, and a hybrid workstyle that promotes work-life balance. Our inclusive environment encourages bold communication and innovative thinking, making Isio a place where you can truly realise your potential and make a meaningful impact in the pensions sector.

I

Contact Details:

Isio Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations Manager (6 month FTC) in Edinburgh

Tap into Consulting Networks

Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Isio. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!

Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time

As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!

Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards

Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Isio.

Leverage University and Alumni Resources

If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Isio.

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (6 month FTC) in Edinburgh

Operations Management
Operational Risk Management
Regulatory Compliance (FCA/PRA)
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Governance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!

Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.

Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Isio and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.

Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.

How to prepare for a job interview at Isio

Prepare for Case Studies

In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Isio will want to see.

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Isio.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Isio.

Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit

Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Isio. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.