I am supporting a UK professional services organisation that is entering a significant period of operational change and turnaround. The business operates across multiple sites and requires a senior operator who can take full ownership of day-to-day performance and delivery. They are Private Equity backed.
This is a hands-on, field-focused COO role. The incoming leader will spend time in the business with regional teams, driving accountability, pace and commercial improvement while acting as the primary execution partner to the CEO and Board.
Note - you MUST be ICAEW experienced and qualified for this role. We will not be able to progress applications that do not meet this criteria.
The core of the role
* Lead day-to-day operations across a multi-site UK network
* Rapidly stabilise performance, improve consistency and raise service levels
* Put in place clear KPIs, weekly cadence and operational discipline
* Deliver cost improvements, cash awareness and site turnaround actions
* Build strong relationships with regional leaders and set clear expectations
* Ensure compliance with professional and regulatory standards
* Support integration activity and process improvements across the group
* Work closely with the CEO and investors on key turnaround milestones
What the ideal profile looks like
* A true COO-first operator with a track record of improving performance in a professional services environment
* Experience operating within or alongside ICAEW-regulated firms, such as accountancy, audit, advisory, insolvency, corporate services or consulting
* Comfortable travelling regularly between sites and leading from the front
* Strong people manager with an ability to influence, coach and hold teams to account
* Evidence of delivering measurable improvements in operational efficiency, client service and commercial outcomes
* Confident working in time-sensitive, pressured and change-heavy environments
* Financially literate and able to interpret P&L, cash and site-level performance drivers, but not finance-led in identity
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