Business Operations Senior Manager

A&O Shearman; Northern Ireland; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Northern Ireland is seeking a Business Operations Senior Manager to enhance operational efficiency across the Peerpoint team. This strategic role involves overseeing multi-market operations, driving financial performance, and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience in professional services, with a proven track record in managing teams and implementing technology-driven solutions. The company promotes hybrid working, enabling up to 40% remote work alongside valuable employee benefits.

Benefits

Occupational pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Mental health resources

Flexible working

Health well-being services

Qualifications

• Extensive operations leadership experience in multi-market environments.
• Strong background in financial performance management.
• Risk management expertise and stakeholder management skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams across five global markets and foster professional growth.
• Oversee standardised processes ensuring consistency and quality.
• Act as the primary escalation point for operational issues.
• Work with Heads of Market to address cross-regional challenges.
• Develop risk management strategies ensuring compliance with policies.

Skills

Operational leadership

Financial performance management

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision-making

Exceptional team-building

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified (or equivalent)

Tools

Operational reporting tools

Workflow automation technologies

Job description

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Operations Senior Manager to join the Peerpoint team in our Belfast office.

Department Purpose

With the full backing of A&O Shearman and its global network, Peerpoint finds bespoke talent solutions that drive meaningful impact - for people's careers and businesses alike. Our comprehensive understanding of each is our differentiator, enabling us to deliver outcomes that are unrivalled. Industry recognised, we are proud to be the leading platform for self-directed consultants, those seeking to develop a portfolio of experiences by taking on challenging roles working in-house with clients, A&O Shearman practice groups and select private practices.

A dynamic, autonomous and significant business within A&O Shearman's Advanced Delivery & Solutions (AD&S) portfolio, Peerpoint is a fun and rewarding place to work and is leading the way in introducing real change and opportunity for legal professionals and clients alike.

Role Purpose

The successful candidate will lead a high-performing, multi-market operations function while driving operational efficiency and financial optimisation across the business. This is a strategic leadership role that combines end-to-end operational oversight, risk and regulatory compliance, and financial performance management.

You will play a pivotal role in evolving and standardising processes across regions, enhancing capacity and delivery through innovative ways of working, and partnering closely with senior leadership to implement initiatives that improve profitability, operational efficiency, and the overall consultant and client experience.

What you will do

• Lead and Develop Teams: Mentor and manage operational leads across five global markets, setting clear goals and fostering professional growth.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Oversee standardised processes to ensure consistency, scalability, and quality across regions.
• Resolve Challenges: Act as the primary escalation point for operational issues, ensuring timely resolution and high levels of satisfaction.
• Collaborate Globally: Work closely with Heads of Market and internal teams to address cross-regional challenges and maintain service continuity.
• Risk & Compliance: Develop and maintain risk management strategies, ensuring compliance with internal policies and local regulations.
• Financial Performance: Analyse financial drivers, identify productivity opportunities, and prepare performance dashboards and insights for senior leadership.
• Strategic Delivery: Implement new business strategies, lead technology and process transformation projects, and represent the business in internal and external forums.
• Continuous Improvement: Embed best practices and innovative solutions to enhance operational delivery and scalability.

What you will have

• Extensive operations leadership experience in multi-market professional or financial services environments.
• Strong background in financial performance management and cost optimisation.
• Proven track record in implementing standardised operating models and technology-enabled transformations.
• Risk management expertise and stakeholder management skills.
• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified (or equivalent) preferred.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution discipline.
• Data-driven decision-making and advanced analytical skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities across global teams.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Deep understanding of process design, controls, and change management.
• Comfortable in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with a strong sense of ownership.
• Proficiency in operational and financial reporting tools; experience with workflow automation and analytics technologies is advantageous.

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, online discounts and lifestyle management services. We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If this role is not of interest we may have another suitable opportunity here for you at A&O Shearman! Visit our careers portal at A&O Shearman Careers and submit your CV to our Talent Network to be notified when the perfect opportunity becomes available.