Operations Director, Corporate Transformation Services (EMEA)

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Description

About the firm

Companies, investors and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action and results. Privately held since its founding in 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services. When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep expertise and ability to deliver practical solutions to their unique problems.

With over 10,000 people providing services across six continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams, leverage A&M's restructuring heritage to help companies act decisively, catapult growth and accelerate results. We are experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities with a shared commitment to telling clients what is really needed for turning change into a strategic business asset, managing risk and unlocking value at every stage of growth.

To learn more, visit: AlvarezandMarsal.com.

The team

Corporate Transformation Services (CTS) is one of A&M's core competencies, dedicated to helping clients achieve profitability targets and navigate strategic and operational challenges sustainably. The focus is on restoring financial and operational performance to drive measurable results for clients across diverse industries-including retail, automotive, and manufacturing-ranging from upper mid-sized businesses to large international corporations, providing impactful solutions and transformative outcomes.

Role Overview

The Operations Director will play a pivotal internal role in driving sustainable growth and operational excellence across the CTS Strategic Business Unit (SBU) in EMEA. This role is accountable to the CTS Executive Committee (ExCo) for overseeing operations, driving strategic initiatives, and leading the People portfolio.

The Operations Director will act as the bridge between CTS leadership, shared services teams, and business stakeholders to align strategy with execution. As a culture architect, this individual will foster a highly inclusive environment that empowers team members to thrive while driving operational efficiency and talent development.

We are seeking a strategic, hands-on leader with a strong blend of industry and professional services experience, proven operational expertise, and the ability to build trusted relationships.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

• Collaborate with CTS Leaders to define and execute the SBU vision, operational strategy, and growth plans.
• Oversee daily SBU operations across finance, reporting, and business management, ensuring efficiency, alignment with objectives, and cost control.
• Drive the development and implementation of operational policies, processes, and technologies to enhance effectiveness.
• Co-own routine and ad-hoc CTS reporting in partnership with the Head of Finance, including:
  • Annual CTS Business Plan coordination.
  • Presenting clear, actionable insights to leadership.

2. Strategic Initiatives

• Lead and manage cross-functional projects to drive operational improvements, growth strategies, and infrastructure development.
• Identify areas for enhancement through operational analysis and implement solutions.
• Foster alignment and collaboration between CTS and EMEA shared services (finance, HR, IT) to leverage central resources effectively.

3. People Development & Talent Strategy

• Partner with the Global People Organisation to develop and execute talent strategies that align with CTS objectives.
• Oversee the full employee lifecycle, including:
  • Recruiting & onboarding plans to attract top talent.
  • Resourcing schedules ensuring individual development needs are balanced with business priorities.
  • Addressing capability gaps through targeted learning and development programs.
  • Embedding Inclusive Diversity principles across the team.
• Own and enhance the CTS people development processes by improving quality, completeness, and follow-through across:
  • Project reviews & engagement feedback.
  • Mid-year and annual performance reviews.
  • Promotion and remuneration processes.
  • 360 feedback and Personal Development Plans.
• Drive initiatives to build a positive and engaged culture, including:
  • Staff communications, team-building activities, and off-site events.
  • Leadership engagement and performance manager effectiveness.
  • Evolving the CTS culture to create a fulfilled, motivated, and high-performing team.

4. Quality & Risk Management

• Update and standardize the CTS playbook, embedding best practices across project management and risk processes.
• Introduce formal project reviews for key projects, focusing on project governance and improving the employee experience.
• Champion operational excellence by developing tools, dashboards, and processes that drive consistency and quality.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive experience, ideally within professional services or consulting combined with operational leadership in a corporate environment.
• Proven expertise in strategic planning, operations management, and people leadership.
• Strong understanding of business operations and ability to align talent strategies with organizational goals.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving large-scale change initiatives.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and project management skills with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer

• A collaborative and high-performing environment with opportunities to drive real impact in a growing global organization.
• Competitive salary, bonus, and benefits package.
• Exposure to cross-border operations and collaboration with senior leadership across EMEA.
• Opportunities for career development and growth within Alvarez & Marsal's dynamic ecosystem.

Note: This role may require occasional travel to support CTS operations across the EMEA region.