Operations Director Permanent NEW

Title: Operations Director

Job Description:

Cedar has been retained by a leading professional services firm to appoint an Operations Director, who will shape operational strategy, modernise systems, and lead senior teams across a multi-site environment in the UK and Europe. Working closely with the COO, you will drive operational excellence, strengthen governance, improve systems and processes, and deliver operational transformation that supports sustainable business growth within a complex and ambitious organisation.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Operations Director will act as a strategic partner and notional Chief of Staff, ensuring the firm’s operations, governance frameworks, and teams are aligned with business strategy and equipped to scale. This role will play a critical part in embedding best practice, continuous improvement, and high performance across the business.

Location: Leeds (2 to 3 days per week in the office) with UK and European responsibilities.

The Role

Working as part of the senior leadership team, the Operations Director will lead and coordinate all aspects of the firm’s operational delivery. The successful candidate will ensure that best practice, strong governance, and continuous improvement are embedded throughout the organisation, while building a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the COO to set and execute operational strategy
  * Lead, mentor, and develop senior operational leaders, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation
  * Oversee operations, ensuring delivery of efficient, high quality, and compliant services
  * Drive continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing systems, processes, and technology
  * Manage risk, compliance, procurement, and business continuity frameworks
  * Lead operational planning, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting
  * Strengthen governance and ensure clear communication at board level
  * Deliver ESG programmes as part of wider governance and operational transformation
  * Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to support commercial and strategic goals

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Senior operations leadership experience in professional services or complex multi-site environment
  * Proven ability to deliver operational transformation, system and process improvement
  * Strong governance, risk, compliance, and ESG understanding
  * Experience leading teams across multiple locations (UK and Europe)
  * Strong stakeholder management and influencing ability at board level
  * Financial and commercial acumen, including budget management and cost control

Desirable

• Previous Operations Director or Chief of Staff experience
  * Background in project and programme management

Personal Qualities

• Strategic and commercially astute, able to translate vision into action
  * Decisive, adaptable, and confident in a fast-paced environment
  * Collaborative, inclusive, relationship-led communicator
  * High integrity and commitment to ESG values
  * Proactive and focused on continuous improvement

The Opportunity

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced operations leader to make a lasting impact within a respected and forward-thinking organisation. You will influence operational strategy, strengthen governance, lead multi-site delivery, and help drive sustainable growth across the UK and Europe.