Role Overview
Our client is a successful and innovative building society. We are seeking an exceptional leader for the role of Chief Operating Officer (SMF24). This senior executive role offers a unique opportunity to play a key part in the future of the organisation, working alongside and directly with the CEO and CFO, to spearhead and execute critical strategic projects contributing to the long-term success of the Society. The role involves driving forward strategic technology transformation, lending optimisation, funding initiatives, and inorganic growth opportunities. You will also play a vital role in developing a clear, future focused operating model which leverages and embraces technology to support the growth of the Society through enhanced productivity and efficiency.
Key Responsibilities:
* Culture: Take ownership to promote and embed a culture of performance, delivery and continuous improvement across the Society. Championing the cause for transformation in support of the Society’s aims and supporting teams to embrace new technologies to the benefit of customers, intermediaries and employees, including RPA, AI and emerging technologies.
* Deliver Key Strategic Projects: Take ownership and represent the Society’s CEO and CFO in ensuring key initiatives are designed, planned, managed and executed successfully, including challenging internal and external stakeholders and overcoming obstacles to ensure delivery of these initiatives both align to the Society’s long term ambitions and plans for growth and are executed on time, to scope and on budget.
* Operating Model: Work shoulder to shoulder with the CEO, CFO and Executive’s to develop a clear, future focused operating model, which supports the Society’s growth ambitions, inclusive of risk culture and management, and embraces technology where it supports their members through productivity, efficiency and performance. This includes identifying and considering partnerships with external companies where it may be advantageous to work in tandem with others to enhance their own capability or to accelerate the Society’s ambitions.
* Performance: Ensure initiatives undertaken across the Society are clear in their contribution to the Society’s wider strategy and have measurable and tangible outcomes which support scale, profitability and capital generation.
* Identify new opportunities: Network externally to research potential opportunities across lending, funding and inorganic opportunities, acting with curiosity to explore, identify, evaluate and propose initiatives in support of the Society’s long-term ambitions, and aligned to the risk appetite for the Society.
* Collaborate with Executives: Provide strategic counsel and support to the CEO, CFO and senior leadership team, ensuring initiatives align with corporate objectives and are executed effectively. Lead the development and execution of the corporate plan.
* Risk Culture –Act as an integral part of the Executive Team to support the ‘tone from the top’ of the importance of Risk Culture in the execution of the Society’s plan.
Candidate Profile:
We are looking for a dynamic and results-driven executive with significant experience in technology transformation, operational delivery and financial strategy.
The individual will need to be aligned to the Society’s behaviour and be a capable communicator and possess strong stakeholder management skills across the Society and up to and including Board level, and where appropriate, regulatory interaction.
The individual need(s) to demonstrate a keen interest in emerging technology and demonstrate a solid understanding of the external operating context of the Society and what is necessary to ensure the Society achieves its long term aims, balancing short term performance against long term strategy, in the context of a small, growth orientated business.
The individual should be results orientated and possess leadership and communication skill to ensure alignment of all stakeholders and be willing and able to challenge effectively where risks emerge, obstacles are identified or internal or external stakeholders need to step up to support the Society delivering for intermediaries, customers and employees.
The ideal candidate will possess:
* Proven Leadership Experience: Experience in senior leadership roles, within financial services, banking, or building societies, with a track record of delivering strategic projects.
* Strategic Vision: Ability to shape and drive long-term initiatives, balancing innovation with operational efficiency and financial sustainability.
* Technology Expertise: In-depth knowledge of technological advancements in the financial sector, including AI, RPA, as well as IT Security and Infrastructure.
* Operational Excellence: Strong background in driving operational improvements and increasing productivity through data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. Tracking benefits and ensuring they are delivered.
* Partnerships: Demonstrated ability to identify, build and deliver through partners and suppliers, integrating their capabilities with their own, and a willingness to hold them to account where performance is not as expected.
* Communication and Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior leadership, board members, and external stakeholders.
* Change Management: Proven experience executing complex change initiatives and adapting to an evolving business environment.
* Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of lending practices, funding models, and financial management within the context of a building society.
* Banking experience: Demonstrable experience of similar roles in a financial services context, including lending and/or funding businesses. Direct experience in the UK specialist mortgage or savings markets would be an advantage.
Why Join Us?
At the Building Society they value their employees and offer a supportive, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where you can make a real difference.
By joining their Executive team, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of the society, drive innovation, and make a tangible impact on their members’ lives.
As an executive, you will have the chance to work alongside passionate, dedicated individuals who share a commitment to the Society’s long-term ambitions and learn directly from a high calibre Board and C-Suite.
You will be a key part of the Society’s Executive Director succession plan, with opportunities for career development into a C-Suite role and a Board Director.
What they offer:
* Competitive salary and benefits package, including bonus scheme
* Strong opportunities for personal and professional development
* A pivotal leadership role within a respected, community-focused organisation
* A clear opportunity to influence and execute high-level strategy
* Empowerment to deliver, in a supportive and forward-looking culture
* Hybrid working, with a balance between on-site and remote working