At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence and drive business performance in a global architecture practice.
- Company: Join WW+P, a world-leading architecture and planning firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a dynamic, innovative workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on urban design and contribute to sustainable city development.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in project-based services and strong financial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
WW+P is a world-leading architecture and planning practice. Founded in 1985, the practice has more than 400 architects, urban designers and planners across 12 studios worldwide with 2 in the UK; London and Manchester. WW+P integrates planning, urban design, landscape and architecture to deliver projects that unite visionary regenerative design thinking with technical excellence.
Our work spans scales and disciplines to build better cities, smarter infrastructure, and more inclusive communities – leading the next chapter in regenerative thinking.
WW+P is part of 10N Collective: a group of urbanism, architecture and related design experts brought together by Egis Group. In 2026 SvN Architects and Planners merged with WW+P, creating over 80 years of combined experience in transformative urban design and planning.
Job Description
Location: London
The Operations Director is a key leadership role within WW+P, responsible for strengthening operational excellence, governance, and business performance across the practice. The role ensures commercial integrity, financial sustainability, effective risk management, and alignment with 10N and Egis Group standards.
Working closely with the WW+P Executive, the Operations Director drives operational improvement, supports sustainable profitability, strengthens forecasting and cash performance, and enables informed decision-making. The role connects studio and project leadership with the wider global business, embedding consistent ways of working and building capability across all regions.
Reporting to the CEO, the Operations Director works closely with the Executive Committee, Finance Manager, Studio Leads, Boards, Project Controls, and counterparts across the 10N Collective and Egis Group. The role directly manages the Global Head of Governance & Performance and the Contract Management team, provides functional leadership to Project Controls, and oversees Project Managers across the WW+P portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
1. Business Performance & Commercial Leadership
- Lead the global commercial strategy, driving accountability and commercial discipline across all studios.
- Advise the CEO, Executive Committee and Studio Leads on business performance, commercial priorities and strategic decisions.
- Improve project and studio profitability through effective forecasting, resource planning and financial management.
- Lead Contract Progress Reviews (CPRs), major project reviews and collaboration with dhk to maximise project outcomes.
2. Operations, Governance & Business Services
- Develop and continuously improve the operating model, governance framework and business processes across WW+P.
- Strengthen contracting, risk management, bidding, revenue recognition, billing and cash collection practices.
- Chair the Commercial Operations forum and oversee Legal, Ethics & Compliance, IMS & Risk, Procurement, Real Estate, Health & Safety and governance documentation.
- Ensure alignment with 10N and Egis Group policies, systems and governance requirements.
3. Systems, Data & Financial Control
- Ensure accurate, timely and consistent operational and financial information to support business decisions.
- Oversee forecasting, budgeting, cost control and key business metrics.
- Partner with Finance, IT and shared services to improve systems, reporting capability and Oracle implementation.
4. Leadership & Organisational Capability
- Build commercial and operational capability across contract management, project management and project controls.
- Develop leadership capability, succession planning and knowledge sharing across studios.
- Foster collaboration between Studio Leads, Finance, Growth, Design and Executive leadership to support integrated business planning.
5. Strategic Growth & Enterprise Enablement
- Support the delivery of WW+P's strategic priorities through operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Champion initiatives that strengthen innovation, sustainability, digital transformation and technical excellence.
- Drive alignment across global operations, business services and leadership to support sustainable growth.
Qualifications
Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within architecture, engineering, design, construction or other project-based professional services businesses.
- Proven success improving profitability and operational performance across complex, multi-studio or international organisations.
- Strong experience in project financial management, commercial risk and business transformation.
- Experience implementing business systems and operational improvement initiatives.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with a deep understanding of project-based businesses.
- Ability to translate business data into strategic insight and informed decisions.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and change leadership skills.
- Experience designing practical operating models, governance and business processes in complex organisations.
Leadership Style
- Collaborative, pragmatic and outcomes-focused.
- Strategic with a hands‑on approach to delivery.
- Builds trust, develops capability and creates accountability across diverse teams
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Egis is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
We at EGIS are an Equal Opportunities employer and we recognise the value of a Diverse Organisation. EGIS appreciates all job applications. If you decide to apply for an opportunity at EGIS, your application will be assessed based purely on your experience, the essential and desirable criteria, and your suitability for the role. We value each and everyone’s contribution as this builds our culture and means, if you work for EGIS, you will be included, listened to, and respected.
Operations Director employer: WW+P
WW+P is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, ideal for Architects looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of regenerative infrastructure and urban design. Located in Manchester, our studio offers a dynamic environment where employees can thrive through diverse project opportunities, professional development, and a commitment to sustainability. Join us to be part of a team that values creativity and encourages growth while working on exciting projects across the UK and the Middle East.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from WW+P who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at WW+P!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to WW+P. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at WW+P
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at WW+P.
