We are supporting a high‑growth professional services firm to appoint a COO.
You will take ownership of the firm's global operational backbone as it continues an ambitious growth journey. The business has grown significantly in recent years and now needs an experienced operational partner to bring more structure, sharpen processes and embed sustainable ways of working.
There is a clear desire for someone who can join the dots, make things simpler and free up senior leaders to focus on clients and growth.
With a global remit, you will act as a commercial and operational counterpart to the senior team, combining gravitas and challenge with a down‑to‑earth, hands‑on style. Key responsibilities include commercial operations (contracts, agreements, pricing), contract and compliance oversight, technology and infrastructure, facilities and leases, and functional oversight of business support and EAs.
You will lead change management, process efficiency and AI‑enabled automation so the firm can scale without adding unnecessary complexity.
Success will come from working closely with bright, opinionated stakeholders, cutting through complexity and delivering visible “small wins” that make colleagues’ lives noticeably easier.
Requirements:
* Proven track record as an operational or commercially oriented COO (or equivalent).
* Demonstrable experience driving process and operational improvement.
* Background in professional services or similar complex, people‑centric environments.
* Strong commercial acumen and technology fluency (including comfort with AI/automation).
* High EQ, with the ability to build trust and partner closely with senior stakeholders.
* Hands‑on, proactive style; comfortable working alongside revenue generators.
Desirable:
* Experience in high‑growth, complex businesses.
* International exposure
* Experience in or exposure to technology‑led businesses.
* Track record of leading change in thoughtful, consensus‑driven cultures.
This is a great opportunity for someone who wants real influence in a growing firm, the freedom to shape how things are done, and the satisfaction of seeing their ideas quickly turn into visible, business‑wide impact.