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.