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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic growth and operational excellence across UK and Europe.
- Company: Join a high-performing consultancy backed by private equity, specialising in project management and cost consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to influence at board level.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a rapidly expanding business while driving innovation and best practices.
- Qualifications: Must have a quantity surveying background and experience in scaling consultancy operations.
- Other info: This role offers autonomy and the opportunity to leave a legacy of operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Location: UK-based
Salary: £Competitive & Equity Options
Geography: UK & Europe
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
About the Company
Our client is a high performing, private equity backed consultancy that specialises in project management, cost consultancy, and building surveying. Founded less than 40 years ago, the business has grown from a small start-up into a global operation with over 2,500 professionals delivering mission-critical projects across multiple sectors. Within the UK and Europe, the business now employs circa 800 people and has ambitions to double in size within the next five years. The company operates across major UK cities and is particularly active in large-scale infrastructure, commercial, and public sector developments. The business remains focused and disciplined in its service offering, eschewing a multi-disciplinary model in favour of deep expertise and consistent delivery. With strong financial backing and a leadership team focused on operational excellence, the business is on a clear path to significant growth, driven by a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.
The Opportunity
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to take on a strategic leadership role at the heart of a well-funded and rapidly expanding consultancy. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will work alongside the CEO to align multiple businesses across the UK and mainland Europe, some of which have been acquired and now require integration and standardisation. This is not a back-office or maintenance role. It’s a growth-focused, forward-looking position where you will help shape the future of the business, establish scalable operational practices, and professionalise key processes across the region. You will ideally come from a quantity surveying background and bring with you the confidence and credibility to influence at board level, while also being comfortable implementing robust reporting, compliance, and operational governance frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning: Shape and execute the regional strategy in alignment with overall business objectives.
- Operational Efficiency: Standardise and streamline processes to drive consistency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness across all projects.
- Project Delivery: Oversee the timely and high-quality execution of projects, ensuring client expectations are met or exceeded.
- Compliance & Reporting: Own monthly operational reporting, ensuring accurate data flows into commercial, financial, and performance dashboards.
- Resource Management: Optimise resource allocation and talent deployment to meet project and regional growth demands.
- Team Leadership: Lead and mentor key operations staff across the region, building a high-performance culture that reflects the company’s values.
- Risk & Governance: Implement and monitor risk mitigation strategies, ensuring the business remains compliant across jurisdictions.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive innovation and best practices in delivery, leveraging technology, data, and internal feedback to improve performance.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a critical link between leadership, clients, and delivery teams—ensuring alignment and proactive communication.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Quantity Surveying or related technical background, ideally MRICS or equivalent
- Track record in scaling or integrating consultancy operations across multiple geographies
- Deep understanding of project management and cost consultancy environments
- Strong commercial awareness and systems-thinking mindset
- Experienced in working with private equity stakeholders or investor-backed businesses
- Gravitas and leadership presence; equally comfortable on site or in the boardroom
- Passionate about driving standards, mentoring teams, and delivering results
The Package
- Highly competitive base salary, bonus and equity participation
- Opportunity to be part of a transformative growth story in a market-leading consultancy
- Autonomy, board-level influence, and a supportive, values-driven leadership culture
Why Join?
You’ll be joining a business at a pivotal moment, ambitious, well-capitalised, and already delivering on major programmes. You’ll play a central role in shaping the next phase of growth, professionalising operations, and leaving a legacy of operational excellence. If you’re excited by the challenge of scaling a consultancy without compromising its quality or identity, this is your platform.
Chief Operating Officer - UK & Europe employer: LinkedIn
Contact Detail:
LinkedIn Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer - UK & Europe
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the consultancy and project management sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or conferences where you can meet potential colleagues or stakeholders who might provide insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company's recent projects and strategic initiatives. Understanding their current focus areas will help you tailor your discussions and demonstrate your knowledge during interviews, showing that you're genuinely interested in their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in scaling operations and integrating teams across different regions. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led similar initiatives, as this will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in project management and cost consultancy, especially in the context of private equity-backed businesses. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these trends will position you as a forward-thinking candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer - UK & Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project management, cost consultancy, and operational leadership. Emphasise any previous roles where you have successfully scaled or integrated operations across multiple geographies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for driving operational excellence and your understanding of the consultancy landscape. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and implement effective processes.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you hold qualifications such as MRICS or equivalent, make them prominent in your application. This will showcase your technical background and credibility in the field, which is crucial for this role.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide examples of how you have led teams and mentored staff in previous roles. Highlight your ability to foster a high-performance culture and your experience in stakeholder engagement, especially with private equity stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at LinkedIn
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the company's mission and vision. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and growth strategies, especially in the UK and Europe. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a COO, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams, managed change, or integrated operations across different regions. Highlight how your leadership style aligns with the company’s values and culture.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and operational efficiency. Be ready to discuss how you would approach standardising processes and driving growth within the company. Think about specific strategies you’ve implemented in previous roles that could be relevant.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Given the financial backing of the company, it’s crucial to show your understanding of financial management and reporting. Be prepared to discuss how you have previously managed budgets, optimised resource allocation, and ensured compliance in your past roles.