Client Operations Manager | Business Development - FTC

Knight Frank; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Job summary

Knight Frank is seeking a Client Operations Manager on a fixed-term 18-month contract within the Commercial Business Development team. The role focuses on turning strategy into actionable plans, improving operational effectiveness and delivering measurable business outcomes.

You’ll partner with senior stakeholders to translate priorities into scalable processes, embed best practices, and drive adoption of new ways of working in a fast-paced professional services environment.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering business improvement programmes and operational change.
• Strong governance, process improvement and organisational effectiveness knowledge.
• Commercial awareness with budgeting, performance management and business planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and embed operational improvements across the Business Development function.
• Develop scalable processes, governance and operating models.
• Create performance reporting and ROI measurement frameworks.
• Drive strategic client development initiatives and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Business operations

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision-making

Autonomy and ownership

Tools

Advanced Excel

PowerPoint

CRM platforms

AI tools

Job description

Who are we

Founded in 1896, Knight Frank was registered as Knight Frank LLP a Limited Liability Partnership, on 3 November 2003, registered in England & Wales at 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN with the registered number of OC305934. Headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading independent real estate consultancies. We work responsibly in partnership to enhance people’s lives and environments _ in over 50 Markets, 600+ Offices, 20,000+ People, 1 Global Network. _

At the heart of all we do are our Clients. A relationship built on trust is vital. As trusted partners in property, we act with integrity and care, understanding our clients’ unique needs and consistently thinking about the bigger picture to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property. Through our deep understanding of key markets and sectors – both emerging and established – we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their property goals.

A true partnership is a balanced one, and our People are passionate about, and committed to, making our business inclusive and diverse. We give every individual the space and opportunity to perform at their best and be recognised for the immense value they bring. We empower everyone to have autonomy in their role and encourage them to use their voice in how we can help make a positive impact as a firm and shape the future of real estate, the built environment and the impact on the communities we serve. Our collaborative and engaged teams provide excellent and dedicated client service. In our workplace, opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute to the success of our business and innovation, and new ideas are celebrated.

In 2021 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and set out Our Desired Future, cemented in three pillars: People Potential, Client Centricity and always Creating our Future, together. Learn more about what sets us apart here.

About The Role

Are you someone who thrives on bringing structure to complexity, turning strategy into action, and driving meaningful business improvement?

Knight Frank is looking for a Client Operations Manager to join our Commercial Business Development team on an 18-month fixed term contract. This is a newly created role with a unique opportunity to shape how our Business Development function operates, evolves and delivers value across the business.

Working closely with the Head of Business Development and senior stakeholders, you’ll play a key role in improving operational effectiveness, embedding best practice, driving strategic initiatives and ensuring measurable business outcomes.

The Opportunity

You’ll act as a strategic partner to the Head of Business Development, helping translate priorities into practical plans, scalable processes and successful outcomes. This role combines operational leadership with hands‑on delivery, making it ideal for someone who enjoys building, improving and influencing within a fast‑moving environment.

Key areas of focus include:

• Driving business improvement initiatives from concept through to implementation
• Enhancing processes, governance and operating models
• Developing performance reporting and ROI measurement frameworks
• Supporting strategic client development initiatives
• Using commercial data and insight to inform decision making
• Building stakeholder engagement and driving adoption of new ways of working
• Championing continuous improvement across the Business Development function

About You

You’ll bring experience from a business operations, programme management, consultancy or business management background, with a track record of delivering change and improving performance within a professional services or commercial environment.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is highly organised, proactive and outcome‑focused
• Enjoys solving problems and creating clarity from ambiguity
• Can influence senior stakeholders and drive momentum across multiple projects
• Balances strategic thinking with practical execution
• Has strong commercial acumen and data‑driven decision‑making skills
• Is comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership of outcomes
• Thrives in an evolving environment where priorities can shift

Experience within professional services, real estate or a commercial business would be beneficial, but is not essential.

What You’ll Need

• Experience delivering business improvement programmes and operational change
• Strong understanding of governance, process improvement and organisational effectiveness
• Commercial awareness with exposure to budgeting, performance management and business planning
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Confidence working with business systems, CRM platforms and emerging AI tools

Why Knight Frank?

At Knight Frank, we believe property is personal. With more than 125 years of heritage and a presence spanning over 50 territories worldwide, we are one of the world’s leading independent property consultancies. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to providing an environment where individuals can develop, grow and make a real impact.

• Competitive salary