Operations Director - Professional Services SME

Our client is a medium sized highly successful data science company, which develops sophisticated and specialist mathematical solutions. Their artificial intelligence has led on global-first achievements across many industrial, commercial and academic settings. Following a long period of steady, unprecedented growth, they are looking to appoint an Operations Director to play a vital role in shaping the company’s readiness for this growth. The overall thrust of the role is to promote end-to-end excellence for internal and external customers, embracing project delivery, quality management and business efficiency. This is strongly a hands-on role where you will be an active contributor to all projects, requiring a lived-experience of both strategic and practical sides to operations. It is an executive role, reporting to the CEO and requires a strong background that combines strategic and operational management as well as implementation. You will manage a small team and be a key contributor at exec group meetings as part of the senior leadership team. Key responsibilities include: Optimise the operational strategy and processes to meet growth in size, capabilities and impact Collaboration with the CEO and executive group, to align operations with business strategy Develop and implement efficient operational systems, policies and procedures to maximize efficiency, productivity and profitability Oversee the implementation of an entirely new operations management system Manage the project management function, including the review and improvement of PM procedures. Identify emerging industry trends, technologies and opportunities for even better operational excellence. Essential qualifications required: At least 8 years' experience in operations management. This MUST be from a SME sized professional services environment You must be equally immersed in both hands-on and strategic aspects of operations Experience implementing and optimising business management systems Proficiency in project management and process improvement methodologies Demonstrated success in leading teams through periods of growth and operational change Profit and loss analysis skills at project level Bachelors degree in business or operations management The company is based in the South East of England. This is a home-based role with some travel to the head office as required. The salary will reflect an executive role in a SME with good benefits. The company is vibrant, fast-paced and dynamic, and genuinely centred around creating a happy and people-first environment.