At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and own strategic projects, ensuring timely delivery and clear communication.
- Company: Dynamic executive search and advisory firm transforming the tech landscape.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, exposure to leadership, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with a focus on innovation and improvement.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of meaningful change in a cross-Atlantic professional services firm.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex programmes and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
Orama is an Executive Search and advisory firm operating across the UK and US. We also act as a VC, investing in our customer base (and more broadly) via Orama Ventures. Tech has changed hugely in the last few years, and so have we. We are in the midst of a significant transformation. Our COO joined 15 months ago to drive wide-scale change across systems, workflows, positioning, and team development. There is no shortage of ideas or direction. What's needed now is someone to make it all land — on time, in full, with nothing lost in transit.
This role is fundamentally about programme ownership. You will take the COO's priorities and build the scaffolding around them: clear plans, named owners, tracked milestones, and a relentless focus on follow-through. You'll operate across the ~40-person delivery org, keeping concurrent initiatives moving and surfacing problems before they become crises.
If you're someone who gets genuine satisfaction from seeing complex, multi-threaded work come together cleanly — and who wants to do that at the centre of a business actively reshaping itself — this is a rare opportunity.
What You'll Actually Do
- Own programme and project delivery
- Build and maintain a clear view of all active COO-led initiatives — scope, owners, timelines, and status
- Translate strategic priorities into structured project plans with unambiguous accountability
- Run the rhythm of delivery: weekly check-ins, progress reviews, blockers resolved before they escalate
- Own the 'last mile' — the execution detail that separates a good idea from a real outcome
- Maintain programme documentation that is genuinely useful, not just comprehensive
- Manage stakeholders and keep the organisation aligned
- Coordinate across teams and geographies to ensure workstreams stay connected and dependencies are managed
- Prepare crisp briefings, status updates, and decision documents for the COO and senior leadership
- Represent the COO in meetings, own follow-up actions, and ensure commitments are tracked and closed
- Build trusted working relationships with leaders across both UK and US operations
Improve how we run things
- Identify where processes, handoffs, or workflows are creating friction and drive practical improvements
- Support the design and rollout of new systems and operating models as the business evolves
- Help build the operating cadence — meeting structures, reporting rhythms, governance — that keeps a growing firm coordinated
Act as a thinking partner to the COO
- Be a sounding board for ideas in progress — ask the right questions, pressure-test assumptions, flag what's missing
- Synthesise information from across the business to give the COO a sharper view of what's happening on the ground
- Help prepare for key decisions by ensuring the right information is in the room at the right time
Who We're Looking For
You probably have a few years' experience — enough to have run complex programmes under pressure, not so much that you're set in your ways. Your background might be in consulting, a PMO function, professional services operations, or a high-growth startup where you had to build delivery rigour from scratch. What matters more than sector is how you execute.
You are:
- Structured without being rigid — you build plans that people actually use and update them when reality changes
- A natural closer — you chase, you follow up, you do not let things drift
- Comfortable with ambiguity — you can work from a half-formed brief and create clarity from it
- A clear communicator — status updates, risk flags, and decision documents that are actually readable
- Commercially aware — you understand what matters to a professional services business and why
- Discreet — you will operate in sensitive territory and you know what that requires
Formal project management qualifications are neither required nor disqualifying. Demonstrable delivery track record is.
Why This Role
- You will own real, visible programmes — not coordination tasks on someone else's project
- You will work directly with a COO driving meaningful change across a business, with access and context most operators at this level don't get
- The business is at an inflection point — what gets delivered in the next 18 months will define its next chapter
- You will be exposed to the full complexity of running a cross-Atlantic professional services firm
- For the right person, there is a credible path to broader operational leadership as the business grows
Practicalities
- Location: London
- Travel: some travel between UK and US should be expected
- Reports to: COO
- Salary: competitive, commensurate with experience
Chief of Staff | Strategic Projects in City of London employer: Orama Solutions
Orama is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and transformation are at the forefront. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, directly influencing the company's strategic direction while enjoying a collaborative culture that values clear communication and accountability. Located in London, this role provides a unique chance to engage in cross-Atlantic operations, making a tangible impact in a rapidly evolving professional services landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief of Staff | Strategic Projects in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Orama. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company's transformation journey. Show how your skills can help them execute their ambitious plans and make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your past experiences with programme ownership. Share specific examples where you’ve turned chaos into clarity — that’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief of Staff | Strategic Projects in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Chief of Staff role. Highlight your experience in programme ownership and project delivery, and show how you can bring clarity to complex initiatives. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since clear communication is key in this role, use your application to demonstrate your ability to convey information effectively. Whether it's through concise updates or detailed plans, let us see your knack for making complex ideas easy to understand.
Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities:We’re looking for someone who can identify issues before they escalate. In your application, share examples of how you've tackled challenges in past roles, especially in high-pressure environments. Show us that you can keep things moving smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details 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 Orama Solutions
✨Understand the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Chief of Staff role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with Orama's current initiatives and challenges. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked about how you've handled complex programmes in the past. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to manage multiple projects, resolve conflicts, and maintain clear communication. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Since this role involves managing stakeholders across teams and geographies, be ready to discuss how you've built relationships and kept teams aligned in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you successfully navigated ambiguity and drove collaboration among diverse groups.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the COO's vision for the next 18 months or how they measure success for the Chief of Staff role. This not only shows your interest but also gives you valuable insights into the company's direction and culture.
