Interim COO

Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer to join our business on a fixed-term basis, providing maternity cover and playing a key role in maintaining operational performance and momentum across the firm.

The role

This is a hands-on senior leadership role at the heart of the business. Working closely with the Managing Partner, our Partners and Group support functions, the Interim COO will take responsibility for the day-to-day operational performance of the business, with particular focus on commercial performance, quality and the experience of our people and clients.

Key Responsibilities Client delivery and resource planning

• Working closely with service line leaders to balance workloads and address capacity or delivery issues early
• Coordinating effectively with central support functions to ensure the business has what it needs to deliver

Operational and commercial performance

• Maintaining a strong focus on utilisation, recovery, work in progress, write-offs and job profitability
• Using management information to identify operational risks, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement
• Supporting effective use of technology e.g. AI throughout the business to make it as efficient as possible

Leadership and governance

• Maintaining close working relationships with Partners, service-line leaders and Group functions
• Managing operational risks and ensuring appropriate issues are escalated and resolved promptly
• Maintaining momentum on operational priorities and improvement initiatives throughout the fixed-term period

Integration and change

• Supporting the continued adoption of Group processes, technology and ways of working
• Helping teams navigate operational change while maintaining client delivery and business continuity
• Ensuring that improvements are practical, embedded and sustainable rather than simply implemented
• Acting as an effective bridge between local business priorities and wider Group requirements

People and culture

• Creating clarity, accountability and collaboration across teams
• Supporting leaders to address operational pressures while maintaining a positive working environment
• Encouraging consistent ways of working and reducing unnecessary operational friction
• Role modelling our values: We shine together, Make it count and Do the right thing

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

We are looking for an established senior operational leader who can quickly become a trusted member of the leadership team.

The successful candidate is likely to bring:

• Experience in a COO, Operations Director or comparable senior leadership role
• Experience in an accountancy, professional-services or other people and utilisation-led business, ideally within a multi-site or group structure
• Confidence working with Partners and senior stakeholders, including the ability to constructively challenge when required
• Strong commercial judgement with experience of using operational and financial information to drive action
• Experience of leading through periods of change, integration or transformation
• The ability to quickly identify what needs attention, while recognising what is already working well and should not be disrupted
• Experience of supporting growth through acquisition, successfully integrating new teams and embedding consistent processes and ways of working
• Ensure administrative resources are structured and deployed effectively, enabling client-facing teams to focus on excellent client service and delivery

What success looks like

• Operational risks and delivery issues are identified and acted upon early
• Teams continue to work effectively within Group standards and processes
• Existing change and integration priorities continue to progress without unnecessary disruption
• Utilisation, recovery, work in progress and profitability remain firmly in focus
• Partners and service-line leaders receive clear, practical operational support
• The business remains well positioned for a smooth handover at the end of the assignment