COO (Chief Operating Officer)

Sleek Events; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading events agency in London seeks a Chief Operating Officer to oversee operational performance and align company strategy. Responsibilities include managing compliance, enhancing operational efficiency, and collaborating across teams. Ideal candidates will have significant C-Suite experience in the events industry, strong financial literacy, and proven leadership skills. The role focuses on delivering exceptional client experiences while ensuring the agency's sustained growth and compliance with industry standards.

Benefits

27 days holiday

Week-day birthdays off

Company social events

Fitness membership

Qualifications

• Seasoned experience at C-Suite level in an events agency.
• Significant operational expertise and working knowledge of the operational landscape within events.
• Strong track record of successfully leading high performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance and manage risk across operations.
• Implement Sleek's operational strategy and oversee daily operations.
• Monitor and improve workforce planning metrics.

Skills

Operational expertise

Financial literacy

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Communication skills

Tools

Salesforce

Google Docs

ProCim

Job description

ABOUT SLEEK

Hi - we're Sleek, it's nice to meet you. We're an independent experience partner, delivering high-impact events that captivate, challenge, and inspire. Committed to innovation and creativity, we form strategic partnerships with our clients to consistently deliver exceptional results, always on time and within budget.

Founded in 2013 by Jennifer Davidson from her bedroom and without external investment, Sleek has grown into a global force, delivering some of the biggest events and experiences in the world from their London headquarters. Our reputation for excellence has attracted leading global brands and earned us recognition on the 2024 UK Fast Growth Index and The Sunday Times Fast Track 100, placing us among the top 50 fastest-growing businesses in London.

Sleek’s people-before-profit approach sets the tone for our culture, one that celebrates individuality and drives excellence from the inside out. This ethos has been recognised with multiple industry accolades, affirming our belief that purposeful leadership and commercial success go hand in hand. Our growth has, and always will be, achieved without compromising our people or performance.

• Are you an individual who is striving to be the best version of yourself?
• Do you have innovative ideas that you want to make reality?
• Do you want to work in an environment that genuinely cares about you?

Join us on our mission to create experiences that matter, for those who care.

OUR CULTURE

Communication is at the heart of our agency and that’s especially true when it comes to our team. We are proud to attract and retain the best people and we know it’s critical that individuals feel both challenged and supported with opportunities to progress. Sleek believes in a collective effort when it comes to decision making - we value everyone’s contribution and empower our colleagues to help shape us.

No two days are the same and our client base and growth pattern means it can be intense at times. This is when the agility of the Sleek team really comes into its own. We know that the instant you move out of your comfort zone, it means you are growing and that’s a genuine opportunity to thrive. We work hard to ensure we are supporting one another to keep pushing boundaries.

As individuals we are self motivated, have high standards and are always willing to learn, regardless of seniority. We know how vital it is for team members to know their value to the business and feel rewarded for their contribution. What you put in, we will always give back.

OUR WORK PLACE

We spend a large proportion of our lives at work and it should be a place that makes you feel good. Sleek is based in a modern office a short walk from Wimbledon where we share everything from playlists to weekend baking efforts. We genuinely have a lot of fun together.

We regularly socialise after work including our Thursday early finish office drinks. In addition, Jen absolutely loves arranging social events for the team including; weekends mini breaks, team away days, Christmas wreath making and more.

You’ll find Sleek to be a welcoming place for everyone, from those just starting out in their careers to well-seasoned pros. Whether you are looking to grow and develop, or find work / life balance being a working parent. We will always support you as an individual within an environment where you can realise your true potential. Our learning and development initiatives are structured, meaning what we say when we invest in you.

We anticipate and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and needs. If any reasonable adjustments would make the interview process more comfortable for you, just let us know.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Our Chief Operating Officer will hold the day-to-day responsibility for the overall operational performance and success of the agency, delivering consistency, efficiency and high performance.

Reporting directly to the CEO and Founder, the Chief Operating Officer is an Executive Leadership role and a significant contributor to the Board of Directors. In addition to working across all company departments at a high level, the COO heads up the Operations Team with direct line management of the Operations Director and responsibility for our sustainability, resourcing and sourcing functions.

The role is focused on translating the company’s vision and strategy into operational excellence via seamless departmental integration supported by best practice processes and procedures which evolve as needed to continue to support the business’ impressive and sustained growth.

They will ensure effective resourcing and supplier sourcing is delivered across the business in a way that supports our business model, upholds our values and delivers the best possible client experience while delivering the targeted commercial returns and minimising risk.

The COO will lead, facilitate and monitor the integration of new departments, services, teams and geographic locations as needed under the Sleek brand, prioritising the successful embodiment of our core values across all verticals as the company continues to evolve.

RESPONSIBILITIES

COMPLIANCE, FINANCE, RISK AND LEGAL

• Oversee compliance and manage risk (with all relevant industry regulations, contractual obligations, data protection, supplier agreements and risk / health and safety, etc) by ensuring we have proper processes, liaising closely with departmental heads and external legal counsel where required
• Participate in monitoring profitability across operations and work closely with Finance and Operational teams to preserve profitability
• Identify cost efficiencies and revenue opportunities where relevant

OPERATIONAL STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION

• Own and implement Sleek's operational strategy and oversee running of day-to-day operations, working closely with the Operations Director who will lead much of the implementation
• Increase efficiencies via creating new processes and strengthening existing ones
• Continual improvement and evolution of processes, procedures, workflows and tools which are scalable and support growth
• Oversee the implementation and delivery of our sustainability strategy
• Drive efficiency, collaboration and integration, uniting teams and bringing colleagues on the journey
• Set up operations in new markets as required to deliver consistent operations in new geographies, including USA
• Oversee quality control by monitoring the output of the team and seeking internal and external feedback to constantly improve the quality of Sleek services and pitches
• Contribute consistently and effectively to The Board
• Support the CEO and Founder and Board of Directors as required and provide regular updates and reports upon request

PEOPLE

• Oversee resourcing and workforce planning ensuring the business model stays fit for purpose and freelance resource engagement supports the strategy
• Monitor and improve where need billable hours and resource utilisation metrics
• Work closely with departmental heads to analyse requests for new hires based on utilisation and commercial data
• Demonstrate efficient and proactive problem solving, foster a culture of rapid trouble shooting and personal accountability

LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

• Lead and evolve a high performing team and demonstrate exemplary working practices
• Collaborate effectively across all departments, verticals and geographies to ensure seamless integration and holistic, full-service agency offering
• Represent Sleek at industry and client events, using own personal profile to strengthen the reputation of the business

Requirements

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Seasoned experience at C-Suite level in an events agency (at a minimum current / previous Senior Director in a large agency) Head of Department level role within an events agency
• Significant operational expertise and working knowledge of the operational landscape within events (including industry standards, regulations and risk management)
• Experience in mass participation events and associated protocols and compliance related matters
• Cross functional collaborator with experience in integrating creative, technical and client service disciplines
• A high level of financial literacy with a solid understanding of corporate finance
• A working understanding of corporate governance principals
• A high level of communication skills at c suite level
• A deep understanding of client needs, the nuances of varying event formats and client-types.
• Strong track record of successfully leading high performing teams and nurturing talent
• Proven track record of client and employer confidentiality.
• Desirable software knowledge : Salesforce, Google Docs, ProCim

ABOUT YOU

• An exemplary leader, emotionally intelligent and able to set standards and moderate authority and support, knowing the value of when to listen
• Pragmatic and a natural problem solver with a can-do attitude and mature mindset
• Strong sense of accountability
• Able to travel when required
• Naturally proactive, self-motivated and thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team-player, with the ability to develop positive, strong working relationships and secure the buy in of the team and Board
• Actively seeks and welcomes feedback
• Demonstrates best practice and mentors junior members of the team
• Embodies the values of the Sleek team
• Demonstrates curiosity and the continual desire to stay informed
• Customer centric approach to delivering value and optimising productivity
• A mature and balanced leader capable of calm under pressure with the ability to “be good on a bad day”

Benefits

Our benefits were created by Team Sleek to ensure they appeal to a wide range of individuals. Here is a taster of the types of things they include;

• 27 days holiday (excl. UK public holidays). Additional days holiday for each year of service (capped at 3)
• Week-day birthdays off
• Last Friday of the month early finish (15 : 00)
• Standard Pension Plan
• Fitness membership
• Company discounts and perks
• Company social events inc. weekly office drinks
• Annual Company Offsite
• Additional Benefits after 1 years’ service including Private Health Care
• Opportunity to attend overseas familiarisation trips on behalf of Sleek in luxury accommodation. Recent destinations include South Africa, Abu Dhabi and the South of France