Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Royall

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the operational strategy and scale a thriving events agency.
  • Company: Award-winning independent events agency with a people-first culture.
  • Benefits: 27 days holiday, private healthcare, fitness memberships, and professional development.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for international expansion and personal impact.
  • Why this job: Join a vibrant team that values wellbeing and supports career growth.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in operations within the events industry and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

Orchestrate the Future of an Industry-Leading Global Experience Agency.

Are you a seasoned operational leader ready to take the helm of one of London’s most successful independent event agencies? This is a rare opportunity to join a fast-tracked, high-growth "Experience Partner" that has transitioned from a boutique startup into a global powerhouse without external investment. If you are looking for a C-Suite role where people matter as much as profit, this is your next career move.

What’s Different About This Role?

Unlike traditional corporate structures, this agency operates with an "agility-first" mindset. As COO, you will report directly to the Founder/CEO and sit on the Board of Directors, serving as the bridge between visionary strategy and operational excellence. You won’t just be managing a department; you will be the architect of the agency’s international expansion (including a US launch) while safeguarding a culture that has won multiple industry accolades for its focus on employee wellbeing and individuality.

What You’ll Bring:

  • Proven Pedigree: You are currently a COO, Operations Director, or Head of Department within a medium-to-large events agency environment.
  • Operational & Legal Literacy: You have deep knowledge of industry standards, mass-participation protocols, risk management, and contract compliance.
  • Strategic Growth Experience: You’ve successfully led teams through scaling phases and have a "working knowledge" of setting up operations in new global territories.
  • High EQ Leadership: You are an emotionally intelligent leader who can "be good on a bad day," staying calm under the intense pressure of the events cycle.
  • Financial & Technical Acumen: You possess a high level of financial literacy and are comfortable with tools like Salesforce and ProCim to drive data-led decisions.

What You’ll Do:

  • Scale the Agency: Lead the integration of new services and geographic locations, ensuring the agency's core values remain intact during rapid growth.
  • Operational Strategy: Own the day-to-day running of the agency, evolving processes and workflows to be scalable and highly efficient.
  • Risk & Compliance: Partner with external legal counsel and internal heads to oversee data protection, health and safety, and contractual obligations.
  • Workforce Planning: Oversee resourcing and billable hour metrics to ensure the business model remains profitable while preventing team burnout.
  • Sustainability Leadership: Spearhead the implementation of the agency’s sustainability strategy, aligning operations with modern environmental standards.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • People-Before-Profit Culture: Join a business that genuinely believes in "collective decision-making" and supports working parents and career-starters alike.
  • Vibrant Environment: Work from a modern London-based office known for its social culture—think weekly drinks, team away days, and annual overseas offsites (recent trips include South Africa and the South of France).
  • Growth & Reward: Enjoy 27 days of holiday (plus your birthday), private healthcare, fitness memberships, and a structured L&D program that invests in your professional evolution.
  • Independence: Benefit from working in an environment free from external investor pressure, allowing for purposeful and authentic leadership.

The Ideal Fit:

The successful candidate is a "natural problem solver" who can balance authority with support. You aren’t afraid to get stuck into the details of a pitch or a process, but you excel at high-level board participation. You are self-motivated, hold incredibly high standards, and are looking for a "home" where your contribution is both visible and highly rewarded.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Apply now and let’s chat about how this opportunity could be the perfect fit for you!

Chief Operating Officer employer: Royall

Join an award-winning independent events agency in London that prioritises people over profit, fostering a vibrant work culture where employee wellbeing and individuality are celebrated. As COO, you will lead the agency's international expansion while enjoying generous benefits such as 27 days of holiday, private healthcare, and a commitment to professional growth through structured learning and development programmes. Experience the freedom of working in a dynamic environment free from external investor pressure, where your contributions are recognised and rewarded.
Royall

Contact Detail:

Royall Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events or online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your personality! When you get that interview, let your passion for the industry shine through. Share your vision for operational excellence and how you can contribute to the agency's growth.

✨Tip Number 3

Do your homework! Research the agency’s recent projects and achievements. Bring this knowledge into your conversations to demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of their culture.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and ready to make an impact.

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer

Operational Leadership
Industry Standards Knowledge
Risk Management
Contract Compliance
Strategic Growth Experience
Emotional Intelligence
Financial Literacy
Data Analysis
Salesforce
ProCim
Process Improvement
Workforce Planning
Sustainability Strategy Implementation
High-Level Board Participation
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see why you're excited about being a COO in an agency that values people as much as profit. Share your vision for how you can contribute to our culture and growth!

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in the events industry. We’re looking for someone with a proven pedigree, so connect your past roles to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Show us how your skills align with our needs!

Be Authentic: We value individuality, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Share stories that reflect your high EQ leadership style and how you've navigated challenges in the past. Authenticity is key!

Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application reaches the right people. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Royall

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into the agency's history, values, and recent projects. Understanding their unique 'agility-first' mindset will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their culture and operational goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare to discuss your high EQ leadership approach. Think of specific examples where you've led teams through challenges while maintaining morale. This role values emotional intelligence, so be ready to demonstrate how you can 'be good on a bad day'.

✨Be a Strategic Thinker

Highlight your strategic growth experience by discussing past successes in scaling operations or launching new services. Be prepared to share insights on how you would approach the agency's international expansion, especially the US launch.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the agency's future. Inquire about their sustainability strategy or how they maintain their people-before-profit culture during rapid growth. This shows your genuine interest and strategic mindset.

Chief Operating Officer
Royall
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