At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and finance, driving growth and performance in a high-impact role.
- Company: Join a market-leading, profitable EdTech startup on a growth journey.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career progression to CEO and involvement in strategic decision-making.
- Other info: Be part of a pivotal moment in a company's journey with strong growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a dynamic company while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in CFO or COO roles within SaaS businesses.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 € per year.
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.
Zanda is partnering with a market leading, profitable and international EdTech startup as they look to identify a game changing CFOO 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 CFOO 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 RevOps. The ideal candidate will have led cross functional teams in previous roles and understand the OKRs and metrics that drive great SaaS businesses. This role will potentially offer the transition into the CEO role for the right individual.
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.
- Drive commercial discipline and support revenue growth through strong SaaS metrics and unit economics.
- Lead company-wide planning processes, including annual strategy, quarterly execution cycles and OKRs.
- 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 SaaS or recurring revenue business.
- Ideally with experience leading on an exit process.
- Strong understanding of SaaS 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. This role also provides the opportunity to step into a future CEO role for those with ambitions to do so in the future.
Chief Operations Officer | B2B SaaS | Series B in London employer: Zanda
Zanda is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to join a market-leading EdTech startup at a pivotal moment in its growth journey. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative work culture, Zanda fosters an environment where innovative thinking and operational excellence thrive. The role of Chief Operations Officer not only allows for significant impact on the company's strategic direction but also presents a clear pathway to future leadership opportunities, making it an ideal choice for ambitious professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operations Officer | B2B SaaS | Series B in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with potential employers on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company inside out, understand their challenges, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to showcase how you can be the game-changing CFOO they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past successes and how they relate to the role. We believe that sharing specific examples of how you've driven growth or improved operations can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s a great way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re here to help you navigate the job market and find the right fit, so take advantage of the resources we offer to boost your chances of landing that top position.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operations Officer | B2B SaaS | Series B in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your experience in SaaS and operational leadership, as well as any relevant metrics that showcase your success in previous roles. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; focus on what you’ve achieved in your past roles. Use numbers and specific examples to illustrate your impact, especially in areas like financial strategy and operational optimisation. This will help us understand your potential contribution.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only qualified but also a great fit for our culture. Share your passion for EdTech and how you envision contributing to our mission at Zanda.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application gets the attention it deserves and allows us to process it more efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zanda
✨Know Your SaaS Metrics
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of SaaS metrics and unit economics. Be ready to discuss how these metrics drive profitability and growth, as this will be crucial for the role. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully leveraged these metrics.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a potential CFOO, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional teams. Think about specific instances where you've improved operational effectiveness or driven alignment across departments. Be prepared to share how you can partner with the CEO and other leaders to achieve strategic goals.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since this role involves supporting board and investor reporting, practice discussing financial strategies and forecasting. Be ready to articulate how you've navigated similar situations in the past, especially if you've been involved in an exit process before.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Skills
This position requires a strong problem-solver who can unblock challenges across the business. Think of examples where you've tackled complex issues and driven key initiatives. Highlight your adaptability and resilience, especially in fast-paced environments.
