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- Tasks: Drive operational excellence and foster a unified culture across our expanding network of offices.
- Company: Dynamic professional services firm with a strong presence in the North of England.
- Benefits: Comprehensive executive package and flexibility on office base.
- Other info: Regular travel across regional offices and opportunities for strategic influence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of our organisation and lead impactful operational improvements.
- Qualifications: Senior operational leadership experience in professional services and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are a dynamic and rapidly growing regional professional services firm. With a strong presence across the North of England, we have achieved significant growth through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, where you will drive operational excellence, support partner performance, and foster a unified culture across our expanding network of offices. The role is based in Yorkshire and will require regular travel across our regional offices.
Responsibilities
- Operational Excellence: Enhance productivity, utilisation, and recoveries while maintaining exceptional service quality. Align operational capacity with client demand and new business pipelines. Standardise and optimise operational processes across key functions, including accounts, tax, audit, payroll, client onboarding, and query management. Lead automation and process improvement initiatives to drive efficiency.
- Financial Performance: Collaborate with partners to achieve revenue and profitability targets across all offices. Monitor and improve fee earner utilisation, recovery rates, and cost management. Conduct regular on-site visits and operational reviews, implementing corrective actions as needed. Ensure disciplined financial and operational accountability across the group.
- Cultural Integration: Embed the organisation’s values, behaviours, and service principles across newly acquired firms. Foster a unified "one firm" mindset, reducing silos and promoting collaboration. Encourage cross-selling of services and build a culture of teamwork and shared success.
- Leadership Support: Act as a visible and positive leader, supporting partners, directors, and senior stakeholders. Provide coaching and mentoring to develop strong leadership capabilities across the firm. Contribute to strategic planning and support the organisation’s growth trajectory.
Qualifications
Essential Experience:
- Senior operational leadership experience within a professional services organisation operating a time-billing/fee-earner model (e.g., accountancy, legal, consulting, advisory, engineering consultancy).
- Expertise in fee earner economics, including utilisation, recovery rates, charge-out rates, WIP management, and billing cycles.
- Proven track record of improving operational performance across multiple offices or regions.
- Experience implementing standardised processes and operational reporting frameworks.
- Strong commercial acumen, connecting operational performance to revenue and profitability.
Desirable Experience:
- Background in accountancy or audit firms.
- Experience with practice integrations or acquisitions.
- Familiarity with practice management systems and billing platforms.
- Previous experience at COO, Operations Director, or Regional Managing Director level within a professional services firm.
Leadership Attributes:
- Credible and collaborative leader with strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Pragmatic, hands-on approach to operational improvement.
- Exceptional communication skills, capable of aligning teams across multiple offices.
- Passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative culture.
Day-to-Day:
- Oversee and optimise operational performance across all offices.
- Collaborate with partners to ensure financial targets are met.
- Conduct regular site visits and operational reviews.
- Lead cultural integration efforts for newly acquired firms.
- Drive process improvements and automation initiatives.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and partners.
Bonus: Performance-related
Benefits: Comprehensive executive package commensurate with a senior leadership role
Location: Manchester, with flexibility on office base and regular travel across the regional network.
If you are a results-driven leader with a passion for operational excellence and a proven track record in professional services, we invite you to join our team and play a key role in shaping the future of our organisation.
COO in Sheffield employer: Phipps Cameron Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Phipps Cameron Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land COO in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that COO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in operational excellence and financial performance. Make sure they see how you can drive results.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to firms you admire and express your interest in working with them. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace COO in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operational leadership within professional services. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, let us know about your approach to leadership and how you've fostered collaboration in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and unify teams, so share those stories that demonstrate your impact.
Be Specific About Your Achievements: Quantify your successes where possible! Whether it’s improving recovery rates or enhancing productivity, we love numbers that tell a story. This helps us understand the tangible benefits you could bring to our firm.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phipps Cameron Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a COO, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial performance metrics. Brush up on key figures like utilisation rates, recovery rates, and billing cycles. Be ready to discuss how you've improved these metrics in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to lead teams and foster collaboration. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate how you've successfully integrated cultures or improved team dynamics in past positions.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the firm's values and culture before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you can align operational processes with their ethos and promote a 'one firm' mindset across offices. This shows you're not just focused on numbers but also on people.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think through potential challenges the company might face, such as integrating a new acquisition or improving operational efficiency, and be ready to share your strategic approach to tackling these issues.