Chief Operating Officer in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (Hybrid)

Test Driven Solutions (TDS) partners with organisations worldwide to deliver software excellence — spanning Engineering, Quality, Cloud, Data, Delivery, and User‑centred Design. With international growth accelerating and our service lines expanding, we’re hiring a Chief Operating Officer — a strategic operator who will sit at the heart of the Senior Leadership Team and be accountable for how well the business runs.

This is a pivotal hire. As COO, you will have direct leadership of three critical functions — Operations, Account Management, and Sales — creating the infrastructure that lets our consultants do their best work and our clients receive an exceptional service.

You will be equally comfortable in the detail — workforce planning, compliance, resourcing — and the strategic — shaping the operating model as TDS grows, internationalises, and diversifies. The right person will act as a true strategic partner to the CEO, bringing clarity, structure, and urgency to complex challenges while championing a high‑performance, high‑integrity culture that scales with the business.

Strategic Execution & Leadership Support

• Act as a strategic member of the SLT; helping prioritise, structure, and track execution of key initiatives across the business
• Serve as a key liaison between the CEO and the Operations Team, ensuring alignment and momentum on business priorities
• Engage in quarterly and annual business planning cycles, bringing rigour and accountability to goal‑setting and delivery
• Provide insights and recommendations to support strategic decision‑making and continuous operational improvement
• Translate board‑level strategy into operational plans, KPIs, and delivery roadmaps that the whole business can execute against

Operations, HR & People

• Lead People Operations end‑to‑end: recruitment, onboarding (including SC/BPSS/VISA compliance where required), performance management, and people analytics
• Build and scale employee lifecycle processes that maintain cultural alignment and consistency as the business grows
• Lead annual performance and salary review cycles in partnership with Finance
• Support the development of a compelling employee value proposition and drive engagement across the team
• Oversee HR and operational processes — ensuring they remain fit for purpose and compliant at scale
• Collaborate with the Technology leaders to manage consultant utilisation, capacity planning, and career development pathways

Account Management & Sales

• Provide senior leadership of the Account Management and Sales functions, ensuring high‑value client relationships are protected and grown
• Work with Account Managers to monitor client satisfaction, renewal rates, and expansion opportunities across the portfolio
• Support strategic account development and bid/tender processes to drive revenue growth
• Oversee consultant onboarding with clients and third‑party systems (including SAP, Fieldglass, and TDS platforms)
• Collaborate with delivery teams to optimise consultant deployment, reduce bench time, and ensure smooth client escalations

Finance & Commercial Oversight

• Partner with the Finance Director to ensure robust financial planning, forecasting, and reporting
• Maintain a clear picture of revenue, margin, utilisation, and cash flow — and act decisively where required
• Oversee commercial governance across client contracts and resourcing to protect and grow profitability
• Support the CEO in board‑level financial reporting as the business matures

Culture, Communications & Internal Engagement

• Lead TDS’s internal communications strategy, including company‑wide updates and leadership messaging
• Plan and execute culture‑building initiatives that reflect TDS’s team‑first values
• Champion inclusivity, collaboration, and excellence at every level of the business
• Streamline and enhance internal systems and workflows to support growth, efficiency, and scalability

Experience & Background

• Proven track record in a COO, Operations Director, or senior strategy execution role — ideally within a technology consultancy or professional services environment
• Deep operational understanding of scaling consultancy or professional services businesses
• Strong commercial acumen with experience of P&L oversight, financial planning, and commercial negotiations
• Experienced in HR and People Operations including performance cycles, recruitment, employee engagement, and compliance
• Highly analytical and data‑driven, with the ability to convert complex information into clear decisions and actions

Technical & Domain Knowledge

• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills — able to influence at SLT/board level and earn trust across every layer of the organisation
• Strong knowledge of organisational design, systems thinking, and process optimisation
• Familiarity with agile delivery models and tech‑centric team structures
• Able to operate with clarity and urgency in complex, ambiguous environments

Leadership & Collaboration

• A natural collaborator who brings people with them and earns credibility across functions
• Proven ability to build and lead high‑performing senior teams
• Exceptional communicator — equally effective in board presentations and one‑on‑one conversations
• Willing to travel to Newcastle, Scotland, and other office locations as required

Desirable

• Background in or strong familiarity with software engineering, delivery, quality assurance, cloud and data services
• Experience within a utilisation‑based or project‑based consultancy model
• Working knowledge of ISO standards, security frameworks, and compliance practices (ISO 27001, GDPR)
• Exposure to international operations or experience supporting global expansion
• Experience mentoring or developing senior leaders and building high‑performing leadership teams

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Hybrid working and flexible working hours
• Contributory Pension Scheme & Salary Sacrifice
• Progression opportunities
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme
• BUPA Health & Dental care
• Perkbox Benefits & Discount Scheme
• City Centre Office Location
• Equipment provided
• Cycle to work scheme
• Monthly Social Events
• Company Away Weekend
• TDS Merchandise