Head of operations

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The firm

We're a consulting and complex managed service delivery firm with a passion for public services. Everything we do is about improving public services for those who need them most - working with clients in the public, private and social sectors.

We do most of our work in central Government, with respect to place-based bodies, and in the education sector - where we're nationally recognised for our specialist, technical expertise.

Our work spans strategy and policy development, programme and change management, transformation and operational improvement - and a growing focus on innovation in public services, including not least the implications of AI for clients, communities and citizens.

Consistent client feedback tells us why colleagues choose to work with us. Clients value our focus on public service outcomes; our deep sector insight and expertise; our understanding of and relationships in Government; the way we invest in our client relationships; our straightforwardness; and our approach to social value beyond the engagement.

Having established a differentiated, niche, positioning in the market we support, the firm has grown quickly - and can see exponential growth on the horizon as we diversify our offer beyond consulting to include the operation of complex managed service contracts.

To sustain quality and incrementally diversify our offer as we continue to grow, we are looking for the market's most talented colleagues to join us. To succeed and add value in the firm, you'll need to share our passion and ambition; be gritty and determined; and possess a razor-sharp mind.

To find out more about who we are, what we do, and what we need from our colleagues, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.

The role

This is a hands-on role where you will be responsible for making sure our day-to-day operations run smoothly, continually evolve as the firm grows, and ultimately enable consulting colleagues to focus relentlessly on their clients. Your focus will cover a broad remit including HR, finance, IT and facilities, governance, project compliance and reporting and, crucially, how these areas intersect and connect.

That means we're looking for someone who can:

• Monitor operational financials and create management reports to surface variances, risks, opportunities and trends and work collaboratively with the firm's accountants to meet reporting and tax obligations and continually maximise Xero and O365 functionality.

• Manage the delivery of the firm's HR operations to help us attract, develop and retain the colleagues who will help us deliver our strategy and support our clients.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers including building management and IT services to ensure high service standards.
• Track firm risks, oversee health and safety and co-ordinate the firm governance cycle to keep us on track, and own the operational mitigations and action plans to keep us continually improving our risk and governance environments.
• Lead the firm's data processing and retention activities through regular monitoring and checks to ensure ongoing GDPR compliance.
• Monitor and report firm key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring alignment with business objectives and performance goals, and contribute to mitigation plans where required.

• Adopt a project management approach to the firm's operations which allows for the seamless adoption of new projects and business areas as needed.

• Lead agreed transformation and change initiatives as part of a small and dynamic team, as we continue to improve and grow the firm, including O365 optimisation.

• Work flexibly to provide support across the firm and the whole business operations portfolio as needed by the business.

The person

If you're the person we're looking for, you'll:

• Enjoy working independently and at pace to deliver brilliant work and can manage and develop a team to do the same.

• Have a sound grasp of project and risk management fundamentals, and can deploy these skills to new and challenging areas.

• Have a strong and evidenced understanding of operational finance and HR, which may be through qualification or experience in a prior role.

• Be curious and enjoy connecting the dots across a broad operational portfolio to understand issues, surface risks, and identify creative solutions.
• Demonstrate high standards of organisation and compliance and have the passion to expect and promote the same from colleagues.

• Be ambitious about the firm's and your own ongoing growth and development and have a willingness to support where needed.

Location

We have an office in Farringdon, London and you would need to be in the office at least 3 days a week, which may flex depending on business needs.

The benefits

The most important benefits of working in the firm are the opportunities to support our work with clients to improve public services, and to work with brilliant colleagues to develop at pace and fulfil your career potential.

Our remuneration packages are competitive, and include:

• Competitive basic salary for £50-60k.

• Bonuses linked to firm and individual performance.

• 25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 over time.

• Private medical and dental insurance.
• 4% employer pension contributions.