At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational strategy and financial oversight in a high-growth EdTech startup.
- Company: Join a market-leading, profitable international EdTech startup with a strong customer base.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career growth, potential CEO path, and impactful role in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Work closely with CEOs and investors in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping strategy and driving performance during a pivotal company phase.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as CFO or COO in VC-backed SaaS businesses with strong financial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the job Zanda is an Executive search partner that works exclusively with high growth start-ups as they look to scale their business with senior talent.
Zanda partners with VC’s, Founder’s, CEO’s and CFO’s when it comes to successfully delivering on key senior appointments.
Who’s the business Zanda is partnering with a market leading, profitable and international Ed Tech startup as they look to identify a game changing COO to bring into the business.
The business has recently undergone a successful strategic reset and is now focused on driving profitability and maximising enterprise value ahead of a planned exit in the near term.
With a strong customer base, established market presence, and improving financial fundamentals, the business is entering a critical phase of disciplined growth and operational optimisation.
They are now seeking a COO with a strong operational lens to partner closely with the CEO and leadership team through this next chapter.
This role will lead lean teams that cover finance, business operations, people and Rev Ops.
The ideal candidate will have led cross functional teams in previous roles and understand the OKRs and metrics that drive great Saa S businesses.
What you’ll be responsible for Act as the CEO’s key partner, combining financial leadership with operational oversight.
Own financial strategy, forecasting, and cash management with a sharp focus on runway and efficiency.
Drive commercial discipline and support revenue growth through strong Saa S metrics and unit economics.
Lead company-wide planning processes, including annual strategy and quarterly execution cycles.
Improve operational effectiveness across teams, ensuring alignment, accountability, and performance.
Support board and investor reporting, including preparation for strategic events and potential exit.
Oversee accounting, audit, tax, and financial operations.
Lead organisational design and people-related initiatives, ensuring the business is structured to scale.
Run core business rhythms (planning cycles, reviews, reporting) and translate strategy into execution.
Act as a problem-solver across the business, unblocking cross-functional challenges and driving key initiatives.
What experience you should bring Proven experience as a CFO or COO within a VC or PE backed Saa S or recurring revenue business.
Ideally with experience leading on a exit process.
Strong understanding of Saa S metrics, unit economics, and commercial drivers.
Experience operating beyond finance, with exposure to COO-level responsibilities.
Track record of working in high-growth, turnaround, or performance-focused environments.
Strong financial modelling, forecasting, and cash management expertise.
Comfortable working hands-on in lean, fast-paced environments.
Experience working closely with CEOs, boards, and investors.
Familiarity with tools such as Xero, Salesforce, and modern data/reporting platforms.
Ideal profile Commercially minded and operationally focused, not purely accounting-driven.
Comfortable with ambiguity and able to make decisions quickly and pragmatically.
Strong communicator, able to influence across all levels of the organisation.
Highly organised with a natural ability to bring structure and clarity.
Resilient, adaptable, and effective under pressure.
A true business partner who can challenge, support, and execute alongside the CEO.
Why this role?
This is a rare opportunity to step into a pivotal, high-impact role at a defining moment in a company’s journey.
You’ll play a central role in shaping strategy, driving performance, and ultimately helping deliver a successful outcome for the business and its stakeholders.
There is also the strong potential for this role developing into a CEO position.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land COO | B2B SaaS | Series B
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Zanda.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Zanda.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace COO | B2B SaaS | Series B
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Zanda.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Zanda. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zanda
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Zanda, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Zanda, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Zanda could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Zanda as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
