We are currently seeking an experienced Chief Operations Officer (COO) to join a dynamic and fast-growing global insight consultancy. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with extensive operational leadership experience, particularly in a high-growth, tech-enabled environment. As a key member of the leadership team, you will oversee the operational infrastructure and ensure it scales with the company’s rapid global growth.
Key Responsibilities for the Chief Operations Officer
- IT Services & AI Integration: Assess and manage changes to the IT infrastructure across all subsidiary companies. Lead the development of IT architecture and compliance frameworks, especially focusing on the integration of AI in a safe, scalable way.
- Risk & Compliance: Manage a team overseeing complex GDPR legislation, data storage, and AI usage compliance. Ensure transparent communication between operational and commercial teams.
- HR Management: Oversee HR teams, including payroll and legal compliance across UK and US markets, ensuring smooth operations.
- Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external suppliers supporting IT, HR, and Risk & Compliance, including performance reviews and contract renewals.
- International Operations: Coordinate operations across the UK and US, navigating different legal frameworks and communication styles.
- Operational Scaling: Work at “immense speed” to build and adapt operational systems to support a business that intends to double in size over the next few years.
Skills and Experience Required for the Chief Operations Officer
- Proven leadership experience in a consultancy or high-growth, tech-enabled environment.
- Strong operational expertise with a broad understanding of IT, Risk & Compliance, HR, and Vendor Management.
- Experience navigating international operations, ideally with previous work with US-based leadership teams.
- Hands-on, action-oriented approach with the ability to quickly adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
- Excellent communication and decision-making skills, particularly when working at the senior leadership level.
What You Will Bring as a Chief Operations Officer
- Proven Scaling Experience: Experience working in a high-growth business where operational strategy supports commercial success.
- Strategic Vision: Ability to make swift decisions and execute plans with minimal guidance, while maintaining clarity in communication with senior leadership.
- Adaptable Mindset: Ability to evolve strategies and processes as the business and technology landscape changes, especially with AI developments.
Join a Leading Consultancy on its ambitious growth journey
If you are a strategic and adaptable operational leader with a proven ability to scale fast-growing businesses, please get in touch with our team, including a copy of your CV as soon as possible via the form below.
Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. Our expertise lies in building successful ventures worldwide through our recruitment, interim and executive search in communications, sustainability, public affairs and policy, digital marketing and sales and commercial.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all. You can access our Diversity and Inclusion Policy here.
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Consultant, MENA
Lexi Smith-Muller: Lexi has over 10 years’ experience of recruitment & talent acquisition, and over 6 years' experience working in the Middle East region specifically. Lexi has worked both in agency and in house working on multi-level briefs in Senior...
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