Chief Operating Officer

Private Equity backed Education Services business seeks Chief Operating Officer for new role in Milton Keynes, with competitive six-figure base salary

fdu’s Search Practice is recruiting for a new Chief Operating Officer for an Education Services business. The business has engaged in recent exciting strategic activity demonstrating a commitment to growth and ambition. With this in mind, some additional business horsepower and operational acumen is needed to drive the company towards increased efficiency, profitability and expansion. The Chief Operating Officer will play a significant role in driving change, leading the company through its next phase of successful growth, evolving the commercial ethos and being the architect of an operational and cultural shift.

For more information

Please contact Jamie Surgenor

D +44 (0)203 196 0784
M +44 (0)7392 081 975
E: jsurgenor@fdu-group.com

What you will be doing…

  • Overseeing all operational activities for the company.
  • Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with all members of the senior management team on Operations activities.
  • Analysing service delivery activities and implementing high standards across all product delivery and contact with customers.
  • Defining performance management KPIs to monitor operational success against objectives.

  • Identifying opportunities to drive business efficiencies into effect through effective processes, systems, and people leadership.

  • Where appropriate restructuring and re-aligning business activities to increase speed and efficiency whilst maintaining quality standards.

  • Establishing a culture of continuous business improvement.

  • Assuming all day-to-day leadership and management of the operations and delivery teams.

Key Skills, Knowledge and Experience you will need…

  • Proven experience as a commercially-orientated Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, Commercial Director, or Operations Director equivalent; able to drive strategic and cultural operational change.
  • Extensive experience managing operations in a multi-site or multi-product | service line environment.
  • Clear evidence of successfully delivering operational change.

  • Experience within a Professional or People Services environment e.g. Education Services, Legal Services, Healthcare Services (not limited to these sectors) etc.

  • An empathy towards the Education sector, possibly through personal or professional exposure as a pupil, School Governor, PTA member etc.

  • Excellent organisational, leadership and communication skills.

  • A passionate leader with the ability to drive operational performance through motivational, coaching and development skills.

  • Excellent stakeholder management skills.

  • In-depth knowledge of diverse business functions (e.g. sales and marketing, Finance, HR, customer service, delivery).

  • Working knowledge of data analysis and performance | operational metrics.

  • Familiarity with management systems and business software.

  • Good academics.

What else will help me stand out from the crowd?

  • ‘Bought in’ to the concept of improving outcomes and life chances for young people through strong education.

  • Passionate and ambitious; driven to ensure that the business becomes the number one provider of services and products into the Education sector in its field.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills; the ability to present complex information efficiently and succinctly.

  • High energy and motivation.

  • Team player, collaborative, low on ego.

  • Analytical and pragmatic; curious enough to explore and create relevant KPIs for the business, and using the results to augment performance.

Salary

The successful Chief Operating Officer will be offered a competitive six-figure base salary, dependent on experience.