At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the operational evolution of a scaling international business and drive strategic projects.
- Company: High-growth consultancy with an entrepreneurial culture and direct access to leadership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, executive compensation package, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence growth without heavy corporate layers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business performance while enjoying a dynamic work environment.
- Qualifications: 8-15+ years in consulting or operations with experience in scaling businesses.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.
London | Hybrid Working (3 Days Onsite) Circa £120k Base + Executive Compensation Package
Summit Rec2Rec is partnered with a high-growth consultancy and executive search business undergoing a major scaling and transformation journey. As part of an ambitious multi-year growth strategy, the business is looking to hire an Operations Director to help professionalise, scale, and future-proof its operational infrastructure whilst preserving the pace, agility, and entrepreneurial edge that has driven its success to date.
The business is specifically looking for someone from a Big 4 consulting, strategy & operations, transformation, or chief of staff-style background who understands what happens operationally as businesses scale — and more importantly, knows how to build the frameworks, processes, governance, and operating rhythms required to support that growth properly.
The key requirement is that you understand how to operationally scale founder-led, high-growth businesses and can bring structure without creating bureaucracy.
The Opportunity
- Build scalable operational infrastructure
- Improve business performance visibility and reporting
- Design operational governance and accountability frameworks
- Create scalable processes and operating rhythms
- Support international growth initiatives
- Improve cross-functional alignment across teams
- Build management structures and operational cadence as the business scales
- Drive strategic operational projects across commercial, people, finance, and delivery functions
This role will suit somebody who enjoys:
- Solving operational complexity
- Building structure from ambiguity
- Working directly with founders and executive leadership
- Balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Scaling businesses during periods of rapid growth and transformation
What They’re Looking For
- 8–15+ years’ experience within consulting, strategy, operations, or transformation environments
- Strong experience scaling operational infrastructure within growing businesses
- Proven experience building frameworks, governance, reporting, and operational processes
- Excellent executive stakeholder management capability
- Highly commercial and strategically minded
- Experience operating internationally or across US/UK markets is advantageous
- Comfortable operating autonomously within fast-paced founder-led environments
- Strong communication and influencing capability
The business is particularly interested in individuals who naturally think:
- “What breaks as a business scales?”
- “How do we build operationally for the next stage of growth?”
- “How do we create visibility, accountability, and consistency without slowing the business down?”
Why This Role Is Different
This is a genuine opportunity to help shape the operational evolution of a scaling international business. You will not be stepping into a heavily layered corporate structure — instead, you will have:
- Direct access to founders and leadership
- Real influence on how the business scales
- Exposure across strategy, operations, and commercial growth
- The opportunity to build infrastructure that genuinely impacts business performance
- A highly entrepreneurial but commercially sophisticated environment
Chief Operating Officer in London employer: Summit Rec2Rec
As a Chief Operating Officer at this high-growth consultancy in London, you will thrive in a dynamic hybrid working environment that fosters innovation and agility. The company prioritises employee growth through direct access to leadership, offering a unique opportunity to shape operational strategies that drive performance while maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. With competitive compensation and a culture that values strategic thinking and hands-on execution, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly scaling business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have experience in high-growth environments. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're aiming for a role like COO.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the company's growth journey. Research their operational challenges and think about how you can bring structure without bureaucracy. Show them you’re the one who can scale their operations effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your past experiences; relate them to the specific needs of the role. Highlight your successes in building frameworks and processes that support rapid growth. Make it clear that you know what it takes to thrive in a founder-led environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you that COO role!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of COO. Highlight your experience in scaling operations and building frameworks, especially if you've worked in Big 4 consulting or similar environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled operational challenges and driven transformation in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically while also being hands-on. We’re looking for someone who can balance high-level planning with practical execution. Let us know how you've done this in your past experiences!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply 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 at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Summit Rec2Rec
✨Know Your Numbers
As a COO, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of operational metrics and performance indicators. Brush up on key figures from your previous roles, especially those related to scaling businesses. Be ready to discuss how you used data to drive decisions and improve processes.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to articulate your vision for operational excellence. Think about how you've previously built frameworks and governance structures that support growth without adding unnecessary bureaucracy. Use specific examples to illustrate your strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
✨Engage with Founders' Vision
This role involves working closely with founders and executive leadership. Research the company's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their vision. Show enthusiasm for their entrepreneurial spirit and how you can contribute to their scaling journey.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Highlight your experience in improving cross-functional alignment. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different teams to drive operational improvements. This will show that you understand the importance of teamwork in achieving business goals, especially in a fast-paced environment.
