Chief Operating Officer

Royall; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days of holiday

Private healthcare

Fitness memberships

Structured L&D program

Job summary

A leading independent events agency is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to orchestrate its growth while maintaining a people-first culture. In this pivotal role, you will report directly to the Founder and lead the agency’s operational strategy and international expansion. The ideal candidate will have experience as a COO or equivalent and possess financial and operational expertise. Benefits include 27 days holiday, private healthcare, and a vibrant team culture.

Qualifications

• Currently a COO, Operations Director, or Head of Department in a medium-to-large events agency.
• Deep knowledge of industry standards and risk management.
• Successful experience in leading teams through scaling phases.
• An emotionally intelligent leader who remains poised under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of new services and geographic locations.
• Own the day-to-day running of the agency.
• Partner with legal counsel to oversee data protection and compliance.
• Oversee resourcing and profitability metrics.
• Spearhead the agency's sustainability strategy.

Skills

Operational & Legal Literacy

Strategic Growth Experience

High EQ Leadership

Financial & Technical Acumen

Financial literacy

Stakeholder leadership

Emotional intelligence

Tools

Salesforce

ProCim

Job description

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Award-Winning Independent Events Agency

The Hook: Orchestrate the Future of an Industry-Leading Global Experience Agency.

Are you a seasoned operational leader ready to take the helm of one of London’s most successful independent event agencies? This is a rare opportunity to join a fast-tracked, high-growth "Experience Partner" that has transitioned from a boutique startup into a global powerhouse without external investment. If you are looking for a C-Suite role where people matter as much as profit, this is your next career move.

What’s Different About This Role?

Unlike traditional corporate structures, this agency operates with an "agility-first" mindset. As COO, you will report directly to the Founder/CEO and sit on the Board of Directors, serving as the bridge between visionary strategy and operational excellence. You won't just be managing a department; you will be the architect of the agency’s international expansion (including a US launch) while safeguarding a culture that has won multiple industry accolades for its focus on employee wellbeing and individuality.

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven Pedigree: You are currently a COO, Operations Director, or Head of Department within a medium-to-large events agency environment.
• Operational & Legal Literacy: You have deep knowledge of industry standards, mass-participation protocols, risk management, and contract compliance.
• Strategic Growth Experience: You’ve successfully led teams through scaling phases and have a "working knowledge" of setting up operations in new global territories.
• High EQ Leadership: You are an emotionally intelligent leader who can "be good on a bad day," staying calm under the intense pressure of the events cycle.
• Financial & Technical Acumen: You possess a high level of financial literacy and are comfortable with tools like Salesforce and ProCim to drive data-led decisions.

What You’ll Do:

• Scale the Agency: Lead the integration of new services and geographic locations, ensuring the agency's core values remain intact during rapid growth.
• Operational Strategy: Own the day-to-day running of the agency, evolving processes and workflows to be scalable and highly efficient.
• Risk & Compliance: Partner with external legal counsel and internal heads to oversee data protection, health and safety, and contractual obligations.
• Workforce Planning: Oversee resourcing and billable hour metrics to ensure the business model remains profitable while preventing team burnout.
• Sustainability Leadership: Spearhead the implementation of the agency’s sustainability strategy, aligning operations with modern environmental standards.

Why You’ll Love It:

• People-Before-Profit Culture: Join a business that genuinely believes in "collective decision-making" and supports working parents and career-starters alike.
• Vibrant Environment: Work from a modern London-based office known for its social culture—think weekly drinks, team away days, and annual overseas offsites (recent trips include South Africa and the South of France).
• Growth & Reward: Enjoy 27 days of holiday (plus your birthday), private healthcare, fitness memberships, and a structured L&D program that invests in your professional evolution.
• Independence: Benefit from working in an environment free from external investor pressure, allowing for purposeful and authentic leadership.

The Ideal Fit:

The successful candidate is a "natural problem solver" who can balance authority with support. You aren't afraid to get stuck into the details of a pitch or a process, but you excel at high-level board participation. You are self-motivated, hold incredibly high standards, and are looking for a "home" where your contribution is both visible and highly rewarded.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Apply now and let’s chat about how this opportunity could be the perfect fit for you!