Operations Director

Smith Institute; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Operations Director job role

About the Role

The Smith Institute was founded on the belief that successfully harnessing mathematical ways of thinking creates innovative and effective solutions to the most pressing challenges in business and society. Our commitment to this approach has never wavered. The value we deliver to customers comes from being able to frame and understand complex problems, to describe and analyse them mathematically, and to communicate the outcomes in actionable terms.

The strength of this intellectual positioning is what makes us distinctive in our offering and it is a strength that is growing in recognition. We are currently experiencing rapid growth of profile and opportunity in sectors such as energy, security and transport, which are faced with unprecedented challenges, often not yet fully understood, where business as usual is simply not an option. We are in the ideal position to offer the fresh innovative thinking that is required.

We are seeking an accomplished Operations Director to join our Executive team at Smith Institute. This strategic leadership position will oversee all operational aspects of our business supporting end-to-end excellence for our customers through driving excellence in project delivery, quality management, and business efficiency while supporting our company's ambitious growth plans, as we move from a small to medium enterprise.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

1. Serve as a key member of the Executive Group, contributing to company strategy and decision-making
2. Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business growth objectives
3. Lead change management initiatives enabling efficient and scalable business operations now and into the future
4. Evolve resource strategies to balance project delivery with staff development as our mix of skills expands with a growing organisation
5. Partner with the Senior Leadership team to achieve company objectives
6. Facilitate effective business risk management with the Executive Group ensuring timely and effective assessment and response to risks to support the business now and into its future

Business Efficiency & Operations Excellence

1. Ensuring operational excellence within the business translates to high customer satisfaction
2. Drive implementation of efficient operational systems, with immediate focus on embedding our new Operations platform to replace legacy systems
3. Evaluate current operational processes to identify what's working well, what needs evolving, and what requires complete transformation
4. Embed the growing Project Management team, monitor and improve project health, quality, and profitability
5. Enable effective resource management across the organisation
6. Establish management information skills and practices within the business, including analysing and reporting on key performance metrics and recommending actions to take to maximise business efficiency alongside our other business objectives
7. Collaborate with the CFO to ensure cost-effective operations
8. Oversee quality management systems and ISO9001 compliance while ensuring practicality

Team Leadership

1. Lead and develop a newly-formed Operations function, including talent acquisition and development
2. Set clear performance expectations while supporting growth and development
3. Foster a supportive environment that enables critical evaluation while maintaining positive team dynamics
4. Foster a company-wide culture of innovation and continuous improvement
5. Serve as an inspiring leader and ambassador for company values

Qualifications & Experience:

1. Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering or related field; MBA beneficial
2. Proven track record in operations management within a small to medium-sized professional services environment
3. Demonstrated success in leading teams through periods of growth and operational change
4. Outstanding analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities, particularly having experience of portfolio level operations profit and loss analysis
5. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
6. Experience implementing and optimising business management systems
7. Proficiency in project management and process improvement methodologies

What We Offer

1. Executive position with significant influence in a small organisation at a pivotal growth phase
2. Collaborative and innovative work environment
3. Flexible working for all– work your contracted hours at times that best suit you and our customers, at home, in the office or as a mixture of both
4. Health and well-being support– Smith Institute provides up to three months’ contractual sick pay, have qualified Mental Health First Aiders, a Mindful Employer Plus membership and offer additional leave allowance to care for close family members
5. Social events– most months our Social Committee organise events and we also have ongoing activities, including pub socials, a book club, a fantasy football league and a board games library
6. Employee benefits– employee discount platform and Employee assistance programme
7. Enhanced leave– bereavement, dependency, maternity, paternity & shared parental leave
8. Mentoring– from colleagues and leading academics
9. Generous pension scheme with Life Assurance and income protection
10. All IT equipment provided and maintained
11. Interesting and challenging work with purpose

Further details

We operate an Equal Opportunities Policy. We currently have a rolling recruitment programme so applications will be reviewed as they are received, with a view to interviewing selected candidates when sufficient numbers are shortlisted. We hope to make appointments as soon as possible thereafter.