At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a high-performing team to deliver impactful customer implementations.
- Company: Join IRIS, a leading UK software company transforming education and business.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, private healthcare, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on employee wellbeing and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-growth environment with AI-driven transformation.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in Professional Services and strong leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About the Role
We’re looking for a strategic and hands-on Director of Professional Services to build and scale a world-class implementation and onboarding organisation. This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll own the full customer journey from contract signature through to go live, ensuring customers realise value quickly and effectively. You’ll lead a growing team, own the Professional Services P&L, and drive the transformation of our delivery model through AI, automation, and scalable frameworks.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and grow a high performing team of implementation managers and consultants
- Own and manage the Professional Services P&L, including revenue, utilisation, and margins
- Deliver complex, enterprise-scale implementations on time and to a high standard
- Build strong relationships with senior customer stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor
- Partner with Sales, Product, and Customer Success to deliver a seamless customer experience
- Design and implement scalable onboarding methodologies and delivery frameworks
- Drive innovation through AI, automation, and digital-first delivery approaches
- Lead the global scaling of Professional Services, including operating models and tooling
What We’re Looking For
- 8+ years’ experience in Professional Services, implementation, or consulting within SaaS or technology
- 3+ years’ leadership experience managing teams in high-growth environments
- Proven experience owning or influencing a Professional Services P&L
- Strong track record delivering complex SaaS implementations
- Exceptional stakeholder management and executive presence
- Experience driving transformation, including automation or technology adoption
- Analytical mindset with a data-driven approach to performance and decision-making
Nice to Have
- Experience in Education or EdTech
- Background in management consulting or enterprise software delivery
- Project management certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, or similar)
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to build and scale a global function from the ground up
- High growth environment with real impact and ownership
- Work at the forefront of AI driven transformation in Professional Services
- Collaborative, ambitious, and forward-thinking culture
Please note: We occasionally close vacancies early in the event that we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore we recommend you apply as soon as possible.
For UK candidates only: Please note we are only able to accept candidates that are permanent UK residents or have proven permanent right to work in the UK.
Director, Professional Services (Education) employer: Placeholder Commercial Real Estate Platform
Contact Detail:
Placeholder Commercial Real Estate Platform Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Professional Services (Education)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you showcase why you're the perfect fit for the Director role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it relates to the job. Highlight your leadership skills and past successes in driving transformation and managing teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Professional Services (Education)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Professional Services and SaaS. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Showcase Leadership Experience: Since this is a leadership role, it’s crucial to emphasise your experience managing teams in high-growth environments. Share specific examples of how you’ve led teams to success and driven transformation.
Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills: We’re looking for someone who can build strong relationships with senior customer stakeholders. Make sure to include examples of how you’ve acted as a trusted advisor and navigated complex stakeholder landscapes.
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 Placeholder Commercial Real Estate Platform
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Professional Services, you'll need to own the P&L. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed revenue, utilisation, and margins in previous roles. This shows you understand the business side of things and can drive profitability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You'll be leading a high-performing team, so it's crucial to articulate your leadership philosophy. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-growth environments, focusing on how you motivate and develop talent while driving results.
✨Build Relationships
Strong stakeholder management is key in this role. Think of specific instances where you've built relationships with senior customer stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you acted as a trusted advisor and the impact it had on project success.
✨Embrace Innovation
With a focus on AI and automation, demonstrate your understanding of how these technologies can transform Professional Services. Share examples of how you've driven innovation in past roles, particularly in implementing scalable frameworks or methodologies.