Chief Operating Officer

Ongoing closing date (we will close the advert once there are sufficient applications)

Permanent, full time (35 hours per week)

Chesterfield, Derby, Leicester or Nottingham with agile working. Additional travel required

Overview Why the post exists

Ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of the East Midlands' most influential business organisations?

Looking for an executive leadership role where strategy, people and operational excellence come together?

Want to work alongside an ambitious Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team to make a genuine impact across the region's business community?

We are excited to announce a rare opportunity that has arisen to join our Senior Leadership Team as the Chief Operating Officer. Working alongside the Chief Executive, Board and Senior Leadership, you'll play an instrumental role in shaping the future of the region's leading business support organisation, ensuring ambitious strategic plans are translated into operational excellence, commercial sustainability and exceptional service for members, customers and stakeholders.

Overview Key areas of responsibility

• Alongside the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, you'll translate the Chamber's ambitious strategy into operational excellence, ensuring the organisation delivers outstanding outcomes for members, customers and stakeholders.
• Lead multiple business functions through senior leaders, creating a high-performing, collaborative culture that empowers teams, develops talent and drives organisational success.
• Provide executive oversight of organisational performance, financial sustainability, governance and risk, ensuring resources are deployed effectively and decisions support the Chamber's long-term ambitions.
• Champion continuous improvement by driving transformational change, strengthening systems and processes and enhancing the customer experience across every part of the organisation.
• Build trusted relationships with the Board, Executive colleagues, members and external stakeholders, providing strategic leadership and representing the Chamber with credibility and influence.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance, operational efficiency and organisational resilience, ensuring the Chamber continues to evolve and deliver exceptional value to the regional business community.

Overview Applicants will possess

• A proven senior operational leader with experience managing multiple business functions within a complex organisation.
• Comfortable operating at Board and Executive level, influencing strategic direction and organisational performance.
• Commercially astute with strong financial experience including demonstrable budget management and resource allocation experience.
• Experienced in leading organisational change, transformation and supporting continuous improvement programmes.
• An exceptional relationship builder, able to engage confidently with colleagues, Board members, and business leaders.
• Passionate about developing people and creating a high-performing culture that delivers outstanding outcomes.

What you can expect in return

25 days holiday plus bank holidays each year (pro rata for part time)

8% employer contribution to pension scheme (non-contributory for employee)

Wellbeing support including access to Westfield Health plan, Mental Health First Aiders, self help toolkits, discounts and more

Your Birthday off plus an extra day of leave after 5 and 10 years' service

Life assurance (death in service support scheme) for your beneficiaries

Agile working and dress for the day policy (role dependent)

Two CSR days to take per year (volunteering activity)

Access to tax-free childcare and Bike2Work schemes

Special leave for bereavement, compassionate leave & dependent related time off

Learning and professional development opportunities

Flexibility to take unpaid leave, paid study leave & special leave for territorial army

Recognition and engagement schemes including Praise Exchange

Tax free 55p per business mile for cars (up to 10,000 miles per year)

Company Overview About us

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire) is a well-respected and award winning membership, representation and business support organisation that aims to enhance businesses and communities in the three cities and three counties. With more than 4,100 members and working with 12,000 businesses each year, we have established a reputation as the voice of the region's business community.

Our accreditations and awards East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is an equal opportunities employer and Disability Confident Leader.

All suitably qualified people are encouraged to apply for vacancies regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Applicants require current eligibility to live and work in the UK, they must also disclose any unspent convictions or cautions and company director disqualifications in their covering letter. Please inform of any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. The business is dedicated to retaining talent and therefore it may decide to prioritise and support internal applicants. For information about how we process your data click here .