Operations Manager / Chief of Staff - Staffing Scale-up
School Hours/Flexible
Milton Keynes
Evolve is a high-performance headhunting firm specialising in placing elite talent—quants, researchers, and engineers—into the world’s top hedge funds. From the UK, we deliver into the heart of the US quant trading space. Our work is high-stakes, high-value and tough. That means every deal counts—and the pressure to perform is real.
We’re now hiring to add to our support team who will act as the CEO’s operational right hand and help turn the chaos of a fast-moving niche business into structured execution.
What This Role Is
A blend of:
* Chief of Staff
* Project Manager
* Office & Ops Lead
You’ll sit at the centre of everything that keeps the business moving. From managing third-party suppliers to owning our internal systems, chasing contracts, or helping build automations, you’ll be the calm in the storm.
This is a high-responsibility role designed for someone who thrives on clarity, structure, and impact.
What You’ll Be Responsible For:
🧠 CEO Support & Prioritisation
* Keep the CEO focused on revenue-driving tasks
* Own follow-ups, reminders, and light delegation from the top
* Handle small but critical tasks that would otherwise slow us down
⚙️ Business Operations
* Manage delivery from third-party partners (tech, CRM, accounting, tools)
* Improve and maintain core systems (Salesforce, LinkedIn tools, Notion)
* Track key ops deliverables weekly (performance data, timelines, roadblocks)
📝 Contracts & Compliance
* Review client and supplier contracts
* Track signatures, milestones, and commercial obligations
* Ensure nothing gets lost in the paper trail
📈 Projects & Implementation
* Lead execution of business-critical projects: new tools, campaigns, automation
* Own a roadmap, define scope, manage dependencies
* Deliver results with minimal oversight
🧾 General Office/Admin
* Invoicing, light bookkeeping liaison, records, scheduling, and internal admin
What You Need to Bring
Must-Haves:
* 3+ years in an operations, project management, or chief-of-staff-style role
* Demonstrable experience coordinating across tools, suppliers, and workstreams
* Strong written and verbal communication (especially in contract-related communications)
* A systems mindset — comfortable with digital tools, automations, and integrations
* High ownership mentality — proactive, detail-obsessed, unflappable
Nice-to-Haves:
* Familiarity with executive search, contingent business models, or professional services
* Experience supporting a founder/CEO directly
* Exposure to CRM systems (Salesforce), automation tools, AI/Chat GPT, or LinkedIn Recruiter
What Success Looks Like
* The CEO can focus on deals and delivery, trusting you to run everything else
* No missed deadlines, lost contracts, or supplier drop-offs
* Tools and systems are humming in the background without friction
* Projects get delivered—on time, properly scoped, and measurable in impact