Position: Chief Operating Officer (Contract)
Duration: 12 months FTC
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Soho, London - Hybrid
The Business of Creativity, part of Whalar Group, is an education and consultancy hub dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unlock their creative potential. We exist to champion imagination as the most valuable skill of the future. Through expert-led courses, thought leadership, live events, community engagement, and bespoke consultancy, we help people and brands harness creativity as a powerful force for transformation. Our offering spans learning, leadership, connection, and counsel, designed to liberate creativity in a world increasingly shaped by automation. Learn more at
About the Role
We're looking for a dynamic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join The Business of Creativity on a 12-month maternity cover contract. Reporting to the CEO, you'll be the operational heartbeat of the business—balancing strategy with hands-on delivery to keep projects moving and growth on track.
This role is perfect for someone entrepreneurial, highly organised, and commercially minded, who thrives on managing multiple moving parts across courses, events, consultancy projects, and community initiatives.
Here's What You'll Do Day to Day
* Oversee daily operations, keeping the team aligned to strategy, deadlines, and quality standards.
* Partner with the Director of Content and Learning to deliver courses, podcasts, and product roadmap priorities.
* Manage social media activity and growth, ensuring alignment with brand voice and commercial goals.
* Support community initiatives, including planning and executing events like the CMO Breakfasts.
* Lead consultancy projects end-to-end: build strong client relationships, prepare strategic materials, and coordinate delivery with internal and freelance teams.
* Identify new business opportunities, contribute to pitches, and help shape future consultancy offerings.
* Track performance across courses, consultancy, events, and social media to meet commercial and creative goals.
* Contribute to long-term strategy while fostering a culture that balances efficiency with creativity.
Here's What We're Looking For
* Proven experience leading teams and overseeing multiple projects at once.
* Excellent organisational and project management skills.
* Strong commercial acumen and experience managing client relationships.
* Confident representing a business externally at events and in client-facing conversations.
* Entrepreneurial, proactive, and solutions-focused, with a collaborative approach.
Benefits and Perks
* The opportunity to lead operations during an exciting period of growth.
* Exposure to world-class creative leaders and global business clients.
* Hybrid working environment with an office in the heart of Soho.
* Health insurance and access to our own courses.
* A supportive, ambitious, and entrepreneurial team culture.
* Enhanced Paternity and Maternity leave
* Workplace Nursery Scheme
* Yearly Professional Development Stipend
* Home Office Allowance
* Telecom Reimbursement
* Life Assurance
* Employee Assistance Programme
* 25 days Holiday Allowance plus additional company Winter Break
Whalar Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, promotions, training, working conditions, compensation, and benefits.