Position : Head of Operations
Location : Poynton, Cheshire, UK
Employment Type : Full-time
Start Date : January 2025
Company Vision
We are preparing for a digital transformation focused on automating processes, enhancing efficiency, and optimising service delivery. As the Head of Operations, you will play a key role in laying the foundation for this shift, ensuring our operational infrastructure is scalable, efficient, and ready for seamless technology integration.
This senior leadership role requires a hands-on, detail-oriented leader with extensive experience in operations, process optimisation, and team management, ideally within event management or a related industry. You will drive the company’s operational strategy, ensuring smooth event execution while introducing innovative solutions to enhance productivity.
Role Purpose
The Head of Operations will lead our operational function, ensuring exceptional service delivery, efficient processes, and readiness for digital integration. Responsibilities will include overseeing budgets, optimising processes, managing client requests, and driving continuous improvements in service quality.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Operational Planning
* Develop a long-term operational strategy in line with company growth and transformation goals.
* Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure efficiency, quality, and scalability.
* Lead cross-departmental collaboration, working closely with teams such as IT, Sales, Supply, and Finance to ensure alignment of operational objectives with broader business goals.
Process Optimisation
* Conduct audits of current workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
* Implement scalable systems and processes to handle increased event volume and complexity.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all areas of operations, from client engagement to event execution.
Event Delivery & Quality Assurance
* Oversee the seamless planning and delivery of meetings and events, ensuring budgets, timelines, and quality standards are met.
* Develop and implement a robust quality assurance framework to exceed client expectations.
Risk & Contingency Management
* Create and enforce strategies to mitigate risks and address potential challenges in event delivery.
* Continuously assess and adjust plans to minimise operational disruptions and maintain high service standards.
Team Leadership & Development
* Build, recruit, and train a capable operations team, developing a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
* Provide regular feedback and professional development opportunities, ensuring high performance and skill growth within the team.
* Champion change management processes, leading the team through transitions and ensuring smooth adoption of new technologies and processes.
Supplier & Resource Management
* Negotiate with suppliers to ensure cost-effective and reliable partnerships.
* Manage resource allocation to maximise efficiency and service quality, balancing operational demands with available resources.
Digital Integration & Innovation
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align operational processes with upcoming digital tools.
* Implement real-time tracking and project management systems to enhance transparency and decision-making.
* Identify and introduce automation tools to streamline operations and reduce manual tasks.
Financial Oversight
* Manage operational budgets to ensure financial efficiency and cost control.
* Maintain service quality while delivering outcomes within budget parameters.
KPIs & Reporting
* Ensure events are delivered on time and within scope.
* Achieve high client satisfaction ratings.
* Drive process improvements and automation to reduce operational costs.
* Regularly report on performance metrics, providing actionable insights to senior management to guide strategic decisions.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Professional Experience
* Significant experience (10–15 years) in senior operations roles, ideally within event management, hospitality, or logistics.
* Proven track record of managing large-scale projects and budgets.
* Experience leading process optimisation initiatives and implementing automation.
Skills & Competencies
* Strategic thinking, with the ability to align operations with long-term company goals.
* Technical proficiency in project management tools, automation platforms, and data analysis.
* Strong leadership and team-building skills, with a focus on motivating and developing talent.
* Expertise in event management and delivering seamless, high-quality client experiences.
* Ability to lead and manage organisational change, ensuring smooth transitions and adoption of new technologies.
Key Attributes
* Highly detail-oriented and solutions-focused.
* Innovative and proactive in problem-solving.
* Excellent communicator with a collaborative mindset