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 career growth and to work in a dynamic environment.
- 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
Locations
Operations Director in Cheshire, Warrington 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 Cheshire, Warrington
✨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 that can land you that Operations Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by diving deep into Ryft’s operations and values. Understand their tech and how they handle compliance and risk. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one who can drive performance and accountability across their teams.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve improved processes or led teams in your previous 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 apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:When applying for the Operations Director role, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. We want to see how you've managed teams and driven performance in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to create structure and accountability.
Be Data-Driven:Since this role is all about operational excellence, we’re keen on seeing your data-driven mindset. Share instances where you’ve used metrics to improve processes or drive decision-making. This will show us you can balance detail with strategy.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Operations Director position. We love it when candidates take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it reaches the right people. 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, especially around payments and compliance. Understand their technology and how it supports marketplaces and SaaS platforms. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven performance in previous roles. Highlight your experience in creating structure and accountability, as this is crucial for the Operations Director position. Use metrics to back up your achievements!
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role requires a strong focus on KPIs and operational reporting, come ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in the past. Think about how you can translate complex data into actionable insights that align with business goals.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect questions about how you've handled operational challenges or bottlenecks. Prepare to discuss specific situations where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented scalable solutions. This will showcase your ability to think critically and act decisively under pressure.
