At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations, risk, and compliance to drive performance and accountability.
- Company: Join Ryft, a cutting-edge payment facilitator in Manchester.
- Benefits: Senior leadership role with real ownership and impact on company performance.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and influence.
- Why this job: Shape operational architecture during an exciting scaling phase.
- Qualifications: 6–12+ years in operations leadership within fintech or high-growth tech.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Ryft
Ryft is a regulated payment facilitator and authorised payment institution building the infrastructure layer for modern commerce platforms. We enable marketplaces, SaaS platforms and multi-party ecosystems to embed and monetise payments natively. Our technology handles onboarding, compliance, orchestration, split payments and revenue sharing allowing our partners to focus on growth while we manage complexity.
The role is based in Manchester, and requires 3 days a week on site.
The Role
We’re looking for an Operations Director to act as the operational backbone of the business and the right hand to the COO. This role exists to create structure at scale. You will sit across Operations, Risk, Compliance and Underwriting, consolidating team leads under one clear operational leader. You’ll drive performance, accountability, reporting clarity and execution rhythm across the business. This is not a middle-management role. It is a senior leadership position with real ownership, real authority, and real impact.
What You’ll Own
- Leadership & Structure
- Management of Operations, Risk, Compliance and related team leads
- Create clear reporting lines and performance frameworks
- Coach and elevate existing managers
- Build succession depth across teams
- Drive high standards of accountability and ownership
- Operational Excellence
- Improve processes across onboarding, underwriting, compliance and servicing
- Identify bottlenecks and eliminate inefficiencies
- Implement scalable systems and operating rhythms
- Ensure KPIs are clearly defined, measured and owned
- Performance & Reporting
- Build executive-level operational reporting
- Introduce dashboards and metrics that matter
- Own weekly and monthly operating cadences
- Translate data into insight and action
- Risk & Compliance Alignment
- Work closely with Compliance and Risk leads to ensure regulatory standards are embedded operationally
- Ensure operational processes meet FCA-level governance expectations
- Maintain audit readiness and documentation standards
- COO Enablement
- Act as escalation point for operational matters
- Reduce direct reporting load for the COO
- Filter, prioritise and solve issues before they reach executive level
- Free up the COO to focus on strategy, partnerships and scaling initiatives
What “Great” Looks Like in 12 Months
- The MD has significantly fewer direct operational touchpoints
- Team leads operate with greater autonomy and accountability
- Clear KPIs exist across every operational team
- Reporting is structured, predictable and insight-driven
- Process SLAs are defined and met
- Operational maturity is visibly stronger
Who You Are
- 6–12+ years in operations leadership within fintech, payments, regulated financial services or high-growth tech
- Experienced managing managers, not just individual contributors
- Data-driven but commercially aware
- Calm under pressure
- Highly structured thinker
- Strong operator who can balance detail and strategy
Why Join
- Senior-level ownership and visibility
- Direct impact on company-wide performance
- Opportunity to shape operational architecture during a scaling phase
Operations Director in Bolton employer: Ryft
At Ryft, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer in the heart of Manchester, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous training opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages professional development. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking fintech team where your contributions directly impact the future of payments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fintech and payments space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Ryft inside out. Understand their operations, compliance needs, and how they handle risk. We want you to show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but that you’re genuinely excited about what they do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve driven performance and accountability in past roles. We want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that operational excellence to Ryft.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Operations Director role!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in operations leadership, especially in fintech or regulated financial services. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this senior leadership position. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and accountability in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role is data-driven, make sure to highlight your experience with metrics and reporting. Talk about how you've used data to improve processes and drive operational excellence. We’re all about making informed decisions here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ryft
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Ryft's operations and understand their payment facilitation model. Familiarise yourself with key terms like onboarding, compliance, and split payments. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you speak confidently about how you can enhance their operational structure.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed teams and driven performance. Highlight instances where you created clear reporting lines or improved accountability. This will illustrate your capability to take on a senior leadership position and make a real impact.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role requires a strong focus on KPIs and operational reporting, come prepared with insights on how you've used data to drive decisions in previous positions. Discuss any dashboards or metrics you've implemented that led to improved performance, showcasing your analytical skills.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of scenarios where you've identified bottlenecks or inefficiencies in operations and how you resolved them. Be ready to discuss your approach to risk and compliance, especially in regulated environments. This will demonstrate your ability to handle complex operational challenges effectively.
