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- Tasks: Lead operations and drive business growth in a dynamic financial services environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking ACD firm in Bournemouth with a strong focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, private medical insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing firm while leading high-performance teams and driving strategic initiatives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in UK financial services and strong project management skills required.
- Other info: This is a strategic role with excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Head of Operations will play a central leadership role within an Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) business, overseeing all operational activity while contributing to the firm’s growth through business development and marketing. The role requires a senior operations professional with experience in UK financial services, strong project-management skills, and proven leadership capability.
The successful candidate will take responsibility for the full operational lifecycle of the ACD business, ensuring robust fund oversight, resilient processes, and high-quality service delivery. They will oversee the management of third-party administrators, custodians and depositaries, support regulatory and governance requirements and uphold strong operational controls aligned with FCA regulations.
They will lead the operational charge, including process improvement, systems implementation, new fund launches and broader cross-functional projects, ensuring delivery to timelines and budgets, with clear communication to internal and external stakeholders. In this role, the individual will provide leadership and direction to a few teams, motivating and developing them, driving a high-performance culture and ensuring effective performance management and succession planning.
They will act as a senior escalation point for operational issues, working closely with the CEO, Compliance & Risk, Finance and external partners to maintain a high standard of operational integrity and client service. Alongside operational oversight, the position includes responsibility for driving business development and representing the company externally.
The Head of Operations will build strong relationships with existing and prospective clients, identify commercial opportunities, participate in client meetings and industry events and support the wider leadership team in promoting the company’s services. They will also contribute to marketing activity, helping shape the firm’s brand presence, client communications, and positioning within the market.
The role requires exceptional communication skills, the ability to influence at senior levels, strong analytical and organisational capability, and a strategic mindset with a proactive mindset. Experience of OEICs, NURS, AIFs is highly advantageous. The ideal candidate will combine operational discipline with commercial acumen, demonstrating resilience, integrity, sound judgement, and the ability to lead teams effectively while supporting the firm’s growth strategy.
Excellent Benefits:
- 25 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays
- 5% ER pension contribution (once completed probationary period, 3% up until then)
- Life assurance / death in service of 4 × annual salary (immediately on commencement of employment)
- Private Medical Insurance with AXA PPP on a medical history disregarded basis (once completed probationary period)
- Healthcare Cash Plan with Bupa (once completed probationary period)
- Buying and Selling Holiday Scheme, allowing employees to increase their holiday entitlement to up to 30 days per annum (once completed probationary period)
- Flexible working/hybrid working available
- Free office parking onsite
Skills & Experience Required – Essential:
- Experience within UK financial services, ideally within an ACD, asset management, fund administration or a related FCA regulated environment
- Proven operational leadership experience, managing and motivating multiple teams
- Strong project-management skills with experience delivering complex operational or regulatory projects
- Direct experience in client engagement or business development within financial services
- Exposure to marketing or brand-building activities, ideally within a regulated firm
- Exceptional communication, analytical and relationship-building skills
Skills & Experience Required – Desirable:
- Experience with authorised fund structures (OEICs, NURS, AIFs)
- Knowledge of operational resilience frameworks and fund oversight models
- An understanding of ACD responsibilities, FCA regulations, operational risk and governance frameworks
- Marketing or sales qualifications
- Project management certifications (Prince2, Agile)
- IOC qualification (Investment Operations Certificate) or IMC qualification (Investment Management Certificate) – willing to obtain one of these if not already obtained
This is not just a “back-office” role. It is a strategic senior leadership position at a firm with a broad and evolving fund offering, giving you the chance to shape how the business grows, behaves and succeeds in a regulated and competitive market.
Real Recruitment Solutions is committed to a policy of equal opportunities across all areas of our business and at all stages in the selection process. Acting in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and guidelines given by the REC, we treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, age, disability, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, political beliefs or membership or non-membership of a Trade Union.
Head of Operations £55,000 – £60,000 Bournemouth employer: Real Recruitment Solutions
Contact Detail:
Real Recruitment Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations £55,000 – £60,000 Bournemouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the financial services sector. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share specific examples of how you've motivated teams and driven performance. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate that you’re the strategic leader they need.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in potential roles. A little initiative can go a long way in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s operations and recent developments. Tailor your questions to show your genuine interest in their business growth and operational strategies. This will not only impress them but also help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands their needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations £55,000 – £60,000 Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Operations role. Highlight your experience in UK financial services and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your project management skills and how you've driven business development in the past. Let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since exceptional communication is key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear and concise language, and don't shy away from demonstrating your ability to influence and build relationships.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Real Recruitment Solutions
✨Know Your Financial Services Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK financial services, especially in relation to ACDs and fund administration. Be prepared to discuss your experience with OEICs, NURS, and AIFs, as this will show your understanding of the industry and its regulations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multiple teams and driven a high-performance culture. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Be Ready for Project Management Questions
Expect questions about your project management experience, particularly with complex operational or regulatory projects. Have concrete examples ready that highlight your skills in delivering projects on time and within budget, and how you communicated with stakeholders throughout the process.
✨Prepare for Client Engagement Scenarios
Since client engagement is key in this role, be ready to discuss your experience in business development and building relationships. Think of instances where you've identified commercial opportunities or contributed to marketing activities, and how these experiences can benefit the company.
