Location: Flexible global location, preference to UK / South Africa base but would consider relocation for the right candidate.
Salary: £100-120k per annum + Benefits
Cognisys is a leading Cyber Security company specialising in Penetration Testing, GRC Consulting and Managed Security services. We pride ourselves on our customer service, forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence. Our small but mighty team works with some of the best-known companies in the world, covering over 30 different countries across the globe!
We are now seeking a Leader of Operations to join our Leadership Team and take clear, end-to-end ownership of how Cognisys delivers work, operates day-to-day and scales responsibly. Fundamentally, we’re not concerned about the role title - this opportunity is all about leading a scaling operation from the front, with our values of Ownership, Excellence, Momentum and Together driving the way we deliver, maximising the potential that technology and AI can bring to our operations.
About the Role
This role exists because we recognise that operational leadership must be designed, not improvised. Today, delivery success can depend too heavily on individuals, historic business knowledge and senior leader intervention. This role will change that — building an operating engine that is predictable, scalable and resilient.
This is a senior role with real authority and influence. It is far from maintaining the status quo. It is about creating the conditions for Cognisys to scale from ~100 to 200+ employees without compromising quality or eroding client trust.
In this role you will be accountable for the end-to-end operational effectiveness of Cognisys.
You will design, own and continuously improve the operating model across all delivery and operational functions, ensuring work flows efficiently, consistently and at pace. You will bring structure without bureaucracy, consistency without rigidity, and clarity without slowing the business down.
You will act as the single operational owner for delivery, project management and operational execution — removing ambiguity, reducing friction and enabling other senior leaders to focus on their core accountabilities.
This role reports directly to the CEO and is a core member of the Leadership Team.
Key Responsibilities
* Own the design and evolution of Cognisys’ operating model
* Map and clarify end-to-end delivery and operational processes
* Identify friction, duplication, risk and inefficiency as the business scales
* Implement scalable, standardised ways of working across delivery teams
* Establish clear ownership, hand-offs and accountability between functions
* Provide senior operational leadership across all delivery and operational functions, including:
o GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance) delivery
o Penetration testing delivery
o Managed services delivery
o Project Management / PMO
* Ensure delivery performance supports a consistent, high-quality client experience
* Align capacity, capability and prioritisation across teams
* Directly line-manage Project Management leadership and other operational leaders as appropriate
* Strengthen delivery and operational leadership capability across the business
* Evaluate the effectiveness of current systems, tools and workflows
* Improve visibility, reporting and operational insight for leadership
* Act as a trusted operational partner to the CEO
* Surface operational risks, constraints and opportunities early and clearly
Requirements
* Significant experience in Operations or Delivery Leadership roles
* Proven track record in a high-growth, scaling professional services organisation
* Experience leading managers and senior operational leaders
* Strong background in process design, delivery oversight and execution at scale
* Comfortable operating closely with a CEO and Leadership Team
* Exceptional data and analytics capability — comfortable building dashboards, interpreting operational metrics and using data to drive decisions rather than relying on gut feel
* Hands-on experience applying AI and automation to operational workflows — whether that’s using tools like ClickUp, Make, Zapier or custom integrations to eliminate manual work, accelerate delivery and improve consistency across teams
* A builder, not just an optimiser — someone who has designed and implemented operational systems from scratch, not simply inherited frameworks from large consultancies. You bring software appreciation and the imagination to architect new workflows, with demonstrable achievements in turning ideas into working, measurable processes
What We Offer
* An exceptional opportunity to bring your mastery to the table and pick up the operations to drive our scale up.
* A dynamic and supportive work environment where customer care and innovation drive everything we do.
* A dedicated budget for your professional development
* EMI Employee Share Schemes provide the opportunity to share in the company's success.
* Access to an Employee Wellness Hub supported by Kara Connect for health and well-being resources.
* Frequent team social events and celebrations.
* 25 days leave plus a birthday holiday.
Why Join Us?
At Cognisys, you will be part of a collaborative and innovative team that values your input and shares support. You'll be a fundamental part of the senior leadership team where you will have the autonomy to lead your deliverables from the front, being part of a high performing team. We'd love to hear from you if you want to challenge, lead and innovate! We're not just about the work; we're about the people. Join a team where innovation is celebrated, and your contributions are valued.
Applications
Please feel free to reach out to Kath, our Head of People & Culture, if you would like any further information, to discuss accessibility requirements, or if you require this information provided in an alternative format – kath.connell@cognisys.group
We welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and can make various reasonable adjustments to consider individual needs.
We are not accepting applications from recruitment consultancies.