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-level ownership, direct impact, and opportunity for growth.
- Other info: Work closely with the COO and enjoy a dynamic, impactful role.
- 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 Manchester 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 Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those already working at Ryft. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the company culture and what they really value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Ryft's operations inside out. Familiarise yourself with their payment solutions and compliance standards. This will help you showcase how your experience aligns with their needs and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've built teams, improved processes, and driven performance in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact and how you can bring that to Ryft.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the Operations Director role can leave a lasting impression. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance of landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Manchester
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 our needs!
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.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role is data-driven, don’t forget to mention your experience with operational reporting and KPIs. We love candidates who can translate data into actionable insights, so give us the goods!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us. Plus, we love seeing applications come in directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ryft
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of operations, risk, compliance, and underwriting processes. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced in fintech and payments, as well as how to improve efficiency and accountability within these areas.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your experience in managing teams and driving performance. Be ready to discuss how you've coached managers, built succession plans, and created clear reporting lines in previous roles. This will show that you're not just a manager, but a true leader.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role requires a strong focus on KPIs and operational reporting, come prepared with insights from your past experiences. Discuss how you've used data to drive decisions and improve processes, and be ready to suggest metrics that could be beneficial for Ryft.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Brush up on FCA regulations and compliance standards relevant to the fintech sector. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured operational processes meet regulatory expectations in your previous roles, as this will be crucial for the Operations Director position.
