Chief Operating Officer

Connor Fox Recruitment Solutions; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic recruitment partner is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operational excellence at a high-growth scale-up in Edinburgh. The COO will collaborate closely with the CEO to convert strategic vision into execution, ensuring teams are aligned and the business operates with discipline. Ideal candidates must possess strong leadership experience in SaaS or climate tech, excellent communication skills, and a track record in scaling operations. This position offers remote-first flexibility, with occasional travel and a focus on driving sustainability in a collaborative culture.

Benefits

Remote-first/flexible working

Collaborative culture focused on environmental impact

Recognition for impact

Qualifications

• Must have senior leadership experience in relevant sectors.
• Ability to structure and scale fast-moving teams is essential.
• Strong background in financial modeling and budgeting needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead all teams with overall responsibility for execution.
• Establish quarterly priorities aligned to company goals.
• Ensure delivery against plan and budget.

Skills

Senior leadership experience in SaaS, geospatial, or climate tech sectors

Comfortable with technical products including data pipelines, cloud architecture

Expert in process discipline

Exceptional communicator

Proven success in scaling operations

Strong financial acumen

Background in Earth observation or environmental science

Global or multi‑region operational experience

Job description

About the job Chief Operating Officer - COO

Chief Operating Officer – COO

Our partner is a high-growth scale-up at a pivotal moment and they are looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help take them to the next level.

As COO you will partner closely with the CEO to operationalise their ambitious vision: turning complexity into commercial clarity, accelerating the sustainability transition, and scaling their platform globally. You'll ensure that their strategy becomes execution, that teams are aligned, that their platform is delivered reliably, and that they operate with discipline, accountability, and agility.

Some of your key responsibilities

• Overall leadership responsibility for all teams.
• Turn vision into execution by setting and refining quarterly priorities (Rocks) aligned to company-wide goals.
• Own delivery against plan and budget, ensuring performance targets are met.
• Drive operational excellence and discipline by leading the senior team to embed effective meeting rhythms and performance scorecards.
• Design and implement scalable systems, processes, and reporting to support growth.
• Proactively remove obstacles and unblock teams to enable consistent execution and success.

Skills and experience

• Senior leadership experience in SaaS, geospatial, or climate tech sectors.
• Comfortable with technical products, including data pipelines, cloud architecture, and engineering practices.
• Expert in process discipline, capable of structuring and scaling fast-moving teams.
• Exceptional communicator, able to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven success in scaling operations and systems within growth-stage companies.
• Strategic execution skills, turning vision into actionable goals and building scalable systems for long-term growth.
• Strong financial acumen, including modelling, budgeting, and forecasting, with the ability to link financial insights to operational strategy.
• Background in Earth observation, remote sensing, or environmental science.
• Familiarity with environmental regulatory frameworks (TNFD, CSRD, EUDR).
• Experience with ISO / security certifications and data compliance.
• Experience with financial institutions or regulated clients.
• Global or multi‑region operational experience.

Who you are!

• High integrity, proactive, and able to deliver fast without compromising quality.
• Thrives in ambiguity and rapid change, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative leader with an ownership mindset, keeping teams aligned and focused.
• Acts with trust, transparency, and as a true partner to the CEO.
• Passionate about sustainability, climate, and technology for impact.
• Skilled at prioritizing effectively and simplifying complex issues.

What they offer!

• Remote‑first / flexible working - must be able to come to Edinburgh twice a month
• Occasional travel (UK / EU / global).
• Full‑time leadership role; high growth environment with fast‑moving priorities.
• Collaborative, mission‑driven culture focused on environmental impact and innovation.
• Benefits aligned with culture: flexibility, autonomy, and recognition for impact.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion at Connor Fox Recruitment Solutions

We are committed to championing diversity, equality, and inclusion in every step of the recruitment process. We believe that diverse talent drives innovation and success, and we strive to connect employers with candidates from all backgrounds, fostering inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.

We welcome applications from individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, religions, and backgrounds. Our recruitment processes are based on merit, skills, and potential, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

If you require adjustments during the application process, please let us know we are here to support you.

Lets build a more inclusive workforce together!