Operations Director Permanent

Cedar has been retained by a leading law firm to appoint an Operations Director to provide strategic and hands-on leadership across core operational functions.

This is a senior operational leadership role focused on ensuring effective, efficient, and well-governed business-as-usual operations across the firm’s UK and European offices. The successful candidate will strengthen operational discipline, enhance performance, and ensure the firm’s infrastructure enables exceptional client service and sustainable growth.

The emphasis is on operational excellence, governance, and structured continuous improvement within a partnership environment.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Operations Director will oversee day-to-day operational leadership across PMO, Risk & Compliance, Facilities, and Governance functions.

Acting as a trusted partner to the COO and Managing Partners, the postholder will ensure operational stability, regulatory compliance, and consistent service standards across multiple offices and practice groups.

While improvement initiatives will form part of the remit, the core focus is on strengthening business-as-usual operations, embedding robust controls, and driving measurable enhancements in efficiency and service quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership of business-as-usual operations across UK and European offices.
• Ensure Risk & Compliance frameworks meet regulatory requirements (including SRA and relevant European obligations where applicable).
• Oversee PMO and operational delivery functions to support practice groups effectively.
• Strengthen governance processes within a partnership model, ensuring clarity of accountability and decision-making.
• Drive continuous operational improvement to enhance efficiency, client experience, and profitability.
• Oversee operational budgeting, cost control, and performance reporting.
• Introduce appropriate workflow automation and operational systems to improve process consistency.
• Partner with practice leaders to improve matter management, resource planning, and operational support.
• Lead and develop senior operational leaders across offices.
• Embed ESG and sustainability considerations within operational strategy and reporting.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven operational leadership experience within the legal sector or a regulated partnership environment.
• Strong understanding of law firm governance structures and partnership dynamics.
• Deep knowledge of risk, compliance, and regulatory frameworks (including SRA requirements).
• Experience overseeing multi-office operations.
• Demonstrated ability to improve operational performance and cost efficiency.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen within a partnership model.
• Ability to influence senior partners and board-level stakeholders.
• Practical experience in continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent).

Desirable

• Experience supporting UK and European legal operations.
• Exposure to legal tech, case management systems, or workflow automation.
• Formal qualifications in operations, risk, or compliance.

Leadership & Cultural Fit

The firm is seeking a pragmatic, collaborative, and credible operational leader who understands the nuances of a partnership culture.

Success will depend on the ability to:

• Provide operational stability and disciplined execution
• Build trust and influence within a partner-led environment
• Balance regulatory rigour with commercial pragmatism
• Strengthen accountability while fostering collaboration