Operations Director (Design Agency)

THE CROWD; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic Director of Operations to drive strategic and operational initiatives in a creative design consultancy. This pivotal role involves overseeing HR, finance, and studio facilities while ensuring seamless processes across departments. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a commercial mindset, with experience in the design or consultancy environment. Join a forward-thinking company that values employee culture and well-being, offering hybrid working options and a chance to make a significant impact in a collaborative setting.

Benefits

Hybrid working options

Focus on employee culture and well-being

Bonuses

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and operational management skills in a design context.
• Proven expertise in business strategies and commercial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead business operations including planning, finance, HR, and IT.
• Conduct operational reviews to identify improvements and enhance efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Management

Financial Acumen

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Business Strategy

Job description

About The Role:

Our client, a mid-sized multidisciplinary design consultancy are looking for a commercially minded and strategic Director of Operations to join them on a permanent basis at their office in central London.

Within this role, you will work closely with the board of directors and act as the main linchpin for the practice, ensuring synchronicity across all departments. You will lead strategic, commercial, and operational initiatives and play a key part in driving the company forward. The role is responsible for overseeing all operational aspects including but not restricted to HR, finance, studio facilities, administration, operations and more. This is a broad and exciting role where you can really make an impact in an organisation and be the ‘go-to’ person of the practice. The ideal person will have strong leadership and operational management skills – ideally within the built environment – coupled with architectural/project knowledge and the desire to make impact within a creative environment!

Our client offers bonuses, hybrid/remote working options and a focus on employee culture and well-being. This is a rare and rewarding opportunity to join a desirable London based design practice!

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead business operations, including planning, practice management, finance, HR, IT, and commercial functions, to ensure seamless and efficient processes

• Manage financial tasks such as cash flow monitoring, invoicing, bookkeeping, and fee negotiations for projects and tenders
• Conduct comprehensive operational reviews, identify improvement areas, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency
• Keep partners informed on key performance indicators, including financial health and revenue progress, to support strategic decision-making
• Collaborate with design teams to understand project workflows, contributing insights without directly handling design tasks

Key Skills/Requirements:

• Exceptional leader with solid operation/financial acumen

• Experience within a design or consultancy environment

• Proven expertise in business strategies and possesses a commercial mindset

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build relationships internally and externally
• Outstanding organisational skills
• Familiar with managing design practices is preferred
• Experience working on projects in the Middle East is advantageous

To apply for this position please click on the apply button to attach your CV (and portfolio for design positions).

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