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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead day-to-day operations and drive growth in a rapidly expanding compliance services group.
- Company: Join a dynamic, investor-backed company making waves in the compliance and technical services sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £150,000, bonuses, car allowance, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career advancement in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of a high-growth organisation at a pivotal moment.
- Qualifications: Proven COO or Operations Director experience in relevant sectors with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 150000 £ per year.
Salary: up to £150,000 + Bonus + Car Allowance + Benefits
Location: London HQ with occasional national travel
About the Role
Our client is a rapidly growing, investor-backed compliance and technical services group operating nationally across the UK. The business is scaling quickly through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, with ambitious plans to build a market-leading platform within its sector. The Group comprises specialist operational businesses spanning manufacturing, installation, remediation, and compliance-led service delivery. Backed by a highly entrepreneurial investment platform, the organisation is entering a significant growth phase and is investing heavily in operational capability, systems, and infrastructure.
As part of this growth journey, the business is seeking a Chief Operating Officer / Managing Director to join the Executive Team and take full ownership of day-to-day operations across the Group. Reporting directly to the CEO and operating alongside the CFO and Commercial leadership team, this role will be responsible for leading and scaling the operational platform of the business while delivering exceptional commercial and operational performance. This is a rare opportunity to take a leadership role within a high-growth, investor-backed platform at a pivotal stage of its evolution.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Operational Leadership
- Take full ownership of the day-to-day operational running of the Group, with accountability for operational performance and P&L delivery
- Lead senior divisional leaders across operations, manufacturing, service delivery, HSEQ, and support functions
- Oversee multi-site national operations across manufacturing, operational, and corporate locations
- Drive operational excellence across delivery, workforce planning, fleet, supply chain, and training
- Commercial & Strategic Delivery
- Partner closely with the CEO and CFO to deliver the Group’s growth and revenue objectives
- Establish and embed KPI and OKR frameworks across all divisions
- Drive operational efficiency and cost optimisation while maintaining quality and compliance standards
- Support acquisition activity including operational due diligence, integration planning, and post-acquisition embedding
- Contribute to the long-term strategic direction of the Group as part of the Executive Leadership Team
- Operating Model & Business Transformation
- Lead the systemisation and scaling of the business through improved processes, governance, and technology adoption
- Build an operating platform capable of integrating future acquisitions effectively
- Drive operational transformation initiatives across systems, reporting, compliance, workforce management, and service delivery
- People & Culture
- Act as a visible and people-focused leader across the business, building credibility from boardroom to frontline teams
- Lead organisational capability development, succession planning, and leadership growth
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as a COO, Managing Director, or Operations Director within fire safety, construction, engineering services, facilities management, compliance services, or a related operational environment
- Strong track record managing multi-site, national operations within a B2B service-led business
- Full P&L ownership experience within a business of comparable scale and complexity
- Experience leading operational transformation, business systemisation, and scalable operating models
- Experience managing large operational teams through structured divisional leadership
- Strong commercial acumen combined with operational delivery capability
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
Desirable Experience
- Experience within passive fire, active fire, compliance, or technical services sectors
- Experience integrating acquired businesses into operational platforms
- Management consulting background alongside operational leadership experience
- Familiarity with accredited operational environments and regulated compliance frameworks
Chief Operating Officer employer: Tarka Talent
Contact Detail:
Tarka Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a COO role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company thoroughly. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your experience can help them scale effectively. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their growth journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've led teams through transformation and operational excellence. This will demonstrate your capability to drive performance and culture within the organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Highlight your experience in operational leadership and managing multi-site operations, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your achievements in similar environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your vision for operational excellence and how you plan to drive growth and efficiency within our group. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to know how you lead teams and foster a positive culture. In your application, give us insights into your leadership approach and how you've developed talent in previous roles. This will help us see if you’re the right fit for our people-focused environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tarka Talent
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company’s operations, recent acquisitions, and growth strategies. Understanding their market position and challenges will help you demonstrate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a COO, your leadership approach is crucial. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams through operational transformations and improved performance. Highlight your ability to build credibility across all levels of the organisation.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in multi-site operations and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Align with Their Vision
Articulate how your vision for operational excellence aligns with the company's ambitious growth plans. Discuss how you can contribute to their strategic direction and operational efficiency while maintaining compliance and quality standards.