Head of Group Services Operations (VA834)

This is a high-impact leadership role for a commercially minded operator who can act as a strategic and operational extension of the COO. The role provides central coordination, governance, performance oversight and delivery support across Group Services, ensuring priorities are aligned, decisions translate into action, and key initiatives are delivered at pace.

This role is central to helping the COO and Group Services leadership team operate with greater clarity, pace and discipline. It offers the opportunity to shape how Group Services works, improve execution across functions and deliver measurable value to the wider business.

Role purpose

• Partner with the COO to translate strategic priorities into a clear Group Services plan with defined ownership, milestones and outcomes.
• Coordinate cross-functional delivery across Finance, Risk & Compliance, Projects & Operations, HR, Marketing & Business Development and Knowledge Management.
• Establish robust performance reporting, including KPIs, dashboards and executive updates that support better decision-making.
• Improve governance by ensuring actions from leadership and Board discussions are tracked, progressed and closed out effectively.
• Lead priority projects and transformation initiatives that improve service delivery, reduce duplication and strengthen operational execution.
• Drive operational efficiencies across Group Services through improved ways of working, stronger coordination and disciplined follow-through.
• Develop the location strategy for the Group Services operating model and work alongside the COO to deliver the Group Services target operating model for the Corporate Services Proposition, refining the approach as the business grows and implementing changes at key milestones.
• Prepare Board updates on behalf of the COO and enhance the firm’s governance structure to enable faster, more effective decision-making.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a candidate with a strong track record in strategic business management, COO office or Chief of Staff roles, ideally within a complex professional services or similarly matrixed environment.

• Leading cross-functional strategy execution and operational delivery
• Supporting senior executives through transformation, governance and change
• Building performance frameworks, management information and executive reporting
• Influencing across multiple stakeholders and functions to deliver results
  

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong strategic, commercial and analytical judgement
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Exceptional organisation, prioritisation and delivery discipline
• Ability to create clear management information and executive-level insight
• Credible written and verbal communication with senior leaders and the Board
• A pragmatic approach to change, continuous improvement and operational efficiency

Success Measures

• A clear Group Services plan is in place, with priorities, ownership and progress tracked consistently
• Performance measures and dashboards are established and used to support timely decision-making
• Board and executive reporting is concise, consistent and focused on actions, risks and outcomes
• Strategic initiatives are delivered more quickly and with greater accountability across Group Services
• Governance is stronger, with clear ownership of actions, improved follow-through and better visibility of delivery risks
• Operational efficiencies are delivered across Group Services, evidenced through streamlined processes, reduced duplication and measurable productivity gains

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