Director of Sales Operations and Performance

IDP Education, UK and Ireland; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

IDP Education, UK and Ireland, is seeking a visionary senior leader to join its global Partnerships function as Director of Sales Operations & Performance. You will steer operating models, technology-enabled processes, and commercial strategy across multiple regions to drive growth and exceptional customer outcomes.

Based in London with hybrid work, you will collaborate with executive teams to shape strategies, lead cross-functional programs, and deliver scalable improvements across Student

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering large-scale enterprise change
• Ability to influence senior leadership across functions
• Experience in matrix/global organisations and complex programs

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the transformation roadmap for Partnerships and Student Placement
• Design future operating models across Sales, Operations, Revenue Ops and Client Care
• Lead initiatives to improve commercial performance, customer outcomes and efficiency
• Advance revenue operations maturity, forecasting, and business insights
• Champion AI and technology-enabled solutions to drive productivity
• Define how people, process, and data align to sustainable growth
• Build capability and lift performance across global teams
• Influence senior stakeholders to deliver strategic change
• Lead cross-functional teams with a high-performance, customer-centric culture
• Partner with senior leaders to identify opportunities for innovation and simplification

Skills

Commercial operations

Revenue operations

Sales operations

Customer success ops

Business transformation

Program leadership

Product operations

Strategic operations

Job description

About IDP

IDP is the global leader in international education services, delivering global success to students, test takers and our partners, through trusted human relationships, digital technology and customer research. An Australian-listed company, we operate in more than 50 countries around the world.

Our team is comprised of over 7,000 people of various nationalities, ages and cultural backgrounds. Proudly customer‑first, our expert people are powered by global technology. Together, we offer unmatched services, helping local dreams become realities, all over the world.

Learn more at www.careers.idp.com

Role purpose

Become a pivotal force in redefining the future of student placement on a global scale, advancing operational excellence, boosting commercial performance, and steering transformative growth.

IDP invites a visionary and strategically astute leader to join our global Partnerships function as Director of Sales Operations & Performance. You'll be instrumental in evolving the operational foundations and commercial strategies of our Student Placement segment, navigating at the nexus of business transformation, technology enablement, commercial insight, and exceptional customer service.

This position surpasses conventional Sales Operations or Revenue Operations roles, providing you a platform to significantly influence the trajectory of our global business.

Collaborating across key locations including the UK, Australia, North America, and India, you will orchestrate cross‑functional stakeholder engagement to architect and implement an innovative future operating model. Your leadership will drive scalable, technology‑enhanced processes that underpin growth, enrich customer experiences, and elevate sales efficacy.

This role demands a multifaceted leader passionate about shaping high‑impact strategies in complex, global environments.

Why this role stands out

This unique opportunity allows you to make a substantial impact across the entire commercial ecosystem rather than limiting influence to a single area. It is a role where strategic influence and operational execution blend seamlessly.

You will collaborate intimately with senior executives and leadership teams across Partnerships, Product, Marketing, Customer Experience, Finance, and Technology, building strong alliances and fostering unified strategic direction.

Success in this role hinges on your ability to navigate executive conversations regarding growth and innovation while simultaneously leading operational transformations involving AI‑driven initiatives, enhancements in capability development, and the management of complex, cross‑sector projects.

Your ability to influence without direct authority, mobilising diverse teams across multiple regions and functions, will be a cornerstone of your effectiveness and success.

Key accountabilities

• Shape and execute the operational and commercial transformation roadmap for the Partnerships function supporting Student Placement.
• Design and embed future‑state operating models across Sales, Operations, Revenue Operations, Client Enablement and Client Care functions.
• Lead initiatives that improve commercial performance, customer outcomes, operational efficiency, and organisational effectiveness.
• Drive the maturity of revenue operations, sales performance management, forecasting, planning, and business insights capability.
• Champion AI, automation, and technology‑enabled solutions to enhance productivity and customer engagement.
• Define how people, process, technology, and data come together to support sustainable growth.
• Build organisational capability and lift performance across global and regional teams.
• Influence senior stakeholders across multiple functions and geographies to deliver strategic change.
• Lead direct and matrix teams while fostering a high‑performance, customer‑centric culture.
• Partner closely with senior leaders to identify opportunities for innovation, simplification, and business improvement.

What we're looking for

We seek an accomplished senior leader with a robust commercial acumen paired with a demonstrated history of driving transformation and operational excellence within complex organisational environments.

Your Expertise May Originate From Diverse Backgrounds Such As

• Commercial Operations leadership
• Revenue Operations management
• Sales Operations strategy
• Customer Success Operations oversight
• Business Transformation execution
• Program and project leadership
• Product Operations management
• Strategic Operations planning

Critical to this role is a proven track record of delivering impactful, large‑scale enterprise‑wide change initiatives, effectively influencing senior leadership, and enhancing overall business performance in multifaceted and matrixed organisational settings. Your ability to navigate complexity, engage stakeholders, and inspire teams towards shared goals is essential.

Why Apply

This position offers a distinctive chance to make a visible and sustainable impact on one of IDP’s most strategically critical business units. You will have the autonomy to shape future operating models, spearhead commercial performance improvements, and lead sophisticated transformational initiatives while collaborating directly with executive leadership.

Location: London, United Kingdom

Work model: Hybrid, typically requiring attendance 2-3 days per week at our Woburn House offices located at 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ. Our headquarters offer convenient access to public transport hubs including Euston and Kings Cross/St Pancras stations.