Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead day-to-day operations and drive growth in a rapidly expanding compliance services group.
- Company: Dynamic, investor-backed company with ambitious growth plans and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career advancement in a fast-paced, transformative setting.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal leadership role in a high-growth environment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven COO or MD experience in operational environments, with strong leadership and commercial skills.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 150000 £ per year.
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.
- 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.
- 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
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with professionals in roles you’re interested in. This isn’t just about asking for a job; it’s about gathering insights and advice. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the field and can lead to unexpected opportunities!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Don’t just wait for job postings; create your own visibility! Share articles, write posts, or even start a blog about trends in operational leadership. This positions you as a thought leader and can attract recruiters to you.
✨Apply Directly Through Us
When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our team!
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, P&L management, and any relevant industry knowledge. We want to see how your background aligns with our ambitious growth plans!
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 driven operational excellence and led teams to success. We love a good story that showcases your skills!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As a COO, your leadership style is crucial. In your application, give us a glimpse into how you build credibility and foster a positive culture within teams. We’re looking for someone who can connect with everyone from the boardroom to the frontline!
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 out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
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, especially their compliance and technical services. Understand their growth strategy, recent acquisitions, and how they plan to scale. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and ability to contribute to their ambitious goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a potential COO, it’s crucial to articulate your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multi-site operations and transformed businesses. Highlight your experience in managing large teams and driving operational excellence, as this will resonate with their need for strong leadership.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions around commercial and strategic delivery. Be ready to discuss how you’ve partnered with CEOs and CFOs to achieve growth objectives. Think about specific KPIs and OKRs you’ve implemented in previous roles and how they drove performance, as this aligns with what the company is looking for.
✨Emphasise Cultural Fit
This role requires a people-focused leader, so be prepared to discuss how you build credibility and foster a positive culture. Share examples of how you've developed organisational capability and succession planning. Showing that you can connect with both boardroom executives and frontline teams will set you apart.