Chief Operating Officer

Middlesex Cricket; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Middlesex Cricket is seeking a dynamic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operations at the club. This pivotal role includes overseeing cricket operations, partnering with senior leadership, and driving the strategic vision for growth and community engagement. The ideal candidate will bring passion and leadership skills to enhance the club's operational excellence.

Benefits

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Opportunities for personal growth

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role, ideally within sport.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational strategies aligned with the Club’s vision.
• Oversee operational planning and delivery of cricket activities.
• Manage commercial strategies for the Club.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Financial Acumen

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Planning

Job description

Location: Lord’s Cricket Ground & other locations as required

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Heads of Department across Operations, Marketing, Membership, IT, Commercial and Property

Key relationships: CFO, Director of Cricket, Board, ECB, Sponsors, Partners, Local Authorities

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking an inclusive, strategic, and dynamic leader to join Middlesex Cricket as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this pivotal role, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Club, ensuring seamless execution across cricket operations, out-ground games, membership services, marketing and communications, commercial, IT, and property management (non-playing facilities).

Working closely with the CEO, CFO, and Director of Cricket, the COO will play a key role in delivering our long-term strategy, driving commercial growth, and enhancing operational excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and forward-thinking individual who is passionate about leading high-performing teams and shaping a sustainable, inclusive future for the Club.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development

• Lead the development and implementation of operational strategies aligned with the Club’s overall vision and strategic plan.
• Foster a positive, inclusive culture focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Collaborate with the CEO and CFO on the creation of commercially sustainable plans.
• Represent the CEO at key internal and external events and functions, sharing responsibility with the CFO as appropriate.

Cricket Operations & Out-ground Management

• Oversee operational planning and delivery of all home fixtures, with a particular focus on out-ground matches.
• Ensure the smooth operation of cricket activities in collaboration with the Director of Cricket.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure that facilities and services support high-performance outcomes and enhance the fan experience.
• Champion a high-quality member experience and service excellence.
• Oversee ticketing systems and supporter engagement platforms to strengthen community connections.

Commercial

• Oversee the management of the Commercial team, contributing to the creation and execution of commercial strategy delivering against company goals.

Property, Infrastructure & IT

• Lead the strategic development and management of non-playing facilities, including the new office at Swyncombe Avenue and the USC.
• Oversee IT infrastructure and digital systems to ensure security, efficiency, and scalability.
• Drive digital transformation and improve internal and external service delivery.

Collaboration & Team Leadership

• Work closely with the CFO on financial planning, budgeting, and commercial initiatives.
• Partner with the Director of Cricket to align cricketing and operational goals.
• Inspire and lead cross-functional teams, nurturing a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role (e.g. COO or equivalent), ideally within sport, entertainment, or a similarly dynamic and stakeholder-driven environment.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, commercial delivery, and operational excellence.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and forecasting.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills — able to engage, inspire, and influence across all levels.
• Experience leading diverse functions such as marketing, commercial, IT, facilities, and customer/member experience.
• Solutions-focused, collaborative mindset with a strong sense of integrity, accountability, and resilience.
• Passion for developing high-performing teams and promoting inclusive, people-first leadership.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including Board-level experience.

Desirable

• An understanding of cricket or experience working in a professional sporting environment.
• Experience working in a membership-based organisation, charity, or not-for-profit setting.
• Familiarity with venue operations, capital development projects, and digital infrastructure.

Why Join Us?

At Middlesex Cricket, we are committed to creating a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We value different perspectives and experiences and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities in sport and leadership.

If you’re an operational leader with vision, energy, and a commitment to excellence and inclusion, we’d love to hear from you.