Provide operational leadership and discipline to a prominent publicly listed media and technology company. The COO will drive execution, optimise end-to-end operations and embed scalable systems and controls to support sustainable growth and reliable delivery across all business units. Key responsibilities Operational strategy & execution : Translate CEO and Board strategy into clear operational plans, priorities and KPIs; set the cadence for delivery and hold the organisation to account for outcomes. Delivery leadership : Lead execution across production, distribution, commercial partnerships and customer operations to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery. Process excellence & systems : Simplify and standardise core operating processes; lead selection, implementation and adoption of operational systems (ERP, project management, ticketing, CRM integrations) to create a single source of operational truth. P&L stewardship (operational focus) : Partner with commercial and finance leaders to forecast and control operating costs, improve gross margins and translate strategy into operational budgets and plans. People & leadership : Build, coach and hold accountable high‑performing operational teams; define clear roles, responsibilities and reporting lines; set performance standards and development plans for direct reports. Risk, compliance & controls : Establish and maintain operational controls, business continuity and vendor management frameworks; ensure compliance with relevant laws and contractual obligations. Cross‑functional partnership : Act as the primary execution partner to the executive leadership team, ensuring operational feasibility of commercial initiatives and enabling rapid, joined‑up decision‑making. Commercial & partner management : Manage key supplier and partner relationships; negotiate commercial terms, define SLAs and hold partners to agreed performance metrics. Reporting & performance management : Deliver concise, timely reporting to the CEO and Board covering KPIs, risks, issues and remediation plans; foster a “no surprises” culture through proactive communication. Continuous improvement : Instil a test‑and‑learn mindset focused on measurable improvements in throughput, quality and cost efficiency. Integration leadership : Lead operational planning and execution for acquisitions and major integrations to ensure timely, effective outcomes. Requirements Proven senior operations experience : Demonstrable track record as a COO, Head of Operations or similar role, leading operations in complex, multi‑division businesses. Execution focus : Strong bias for action with an ability to translate strategy into operational outcomes and measurable performance improvements. Scalable mindset : Experience designing and implementing robust frameworks, processes and systems that scale across the business. Commercial acumen : Comfortable managing vendor/commercial contracts, operational P&Ls and budgeting with a clear focus on margin improvement. Leadership & influence : Decisive, resilient leader with gravitas; able to build trust with executive peers, operational teams and external partners. Risk & compliance awareness : Proven experience establishing operational controls, business continuity planning and vendor governance. Stakeholder management : Excellent communicator with the ability to present clearly to the CEO and Board and to manage demanding internal and external stakeholders. Key performance indicators Financial delivery : Delivering on‑budget results across multiple operational P&Ls. Margin management : Demonstrable gross margin improvement. Operational efficiency : Measurable streamlining of systems and processes. People & culture : Driving cultural outcomes that support accountability, continuous improvement and cross‑functional collaboration. Integration success : Successful and timely integration of acquisitions and major operational changes. Benefits Why join us Impact : Lead operations at a high‑profile, publicly listed media and technology company during a pivotal growth phase. Scope : End‑to‑end operational influence across production, distribution, commercial partnerships and customer operations. Collaborative leadership : Work closely with a senior executive team and an engaged Board to shape long‑term strategy and delivery.
