Job description
A highly respected UK financial services organisation is seeking an experienced Operations Director to play a pivotal role in delivering its strategic and operational objectives.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role will provide leadership across core operational functions, ensuring that systems, processes, and people are aligned to support sustainable growth, regulatory excellence, and operational efficiency.
The Role
1. The Operations Director will be responsible for directing and controlling the ongoing operations of the business to meet the strategic and performance objectives set by the Executive Board. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, the role will focus on optimising operational delivery while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
Key responsibilities include:
2. Providing strategic leadership across operational teams to deliver agreed business and performance objectives
3. Collaborating with Transformation and Technology functions to develop and implement effective operational strategies within agreed budgets and resourcing levels
4. Reviewing, developing, and enhancing operational systems and processes to meet evolving organisational needs
5. Defining and monitoring key operational KPIs, producing clear analysis and insight to support Executive Board decision-making and effective governance
6. Overseeing operational budgets and productivity, driving cost efficiencies and improved output through people and process optimisation
7. Leading, motivating, and developing a high-performing operational management team
8. Ensuring operating objectives and performance standards are clearly understood and fully owned across teams
9. Maintaining robust operational controls that align with internal regulatory standards and the organisation's risk appetite
10. Working collaboratively with other senior leaders to ensure alignment of strategy, priorities, and communication across the business
Candidate Profile
11. The successful candidate will be a commercially astute operational leader with a strong track record within regulated financial services environments
Essential experience and attributes include:
12. Degree-level qualification or equivalent, or 10+ years' senior operational management experience
13. Experience operating at a strategic leadership level
14. Proven experience managing multiple department heads across complex operational functions
15. Strong working knowledge of financial services regulation and best-practice operational management
16. Demonstrable experience designing and implementing productivity and performance measurement frameworks
17. Excellent analytical capability with a data-driven approach to decision-making
18. Strong communication, influencing, and leadership skills
19. Experience leading large-scale projects and driving organisational change
20. Clear alignment with the organisation's core values and leadership behaviours