Practice Director / COO

Ambition; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambition in London is seeking a commercially minded Practice Director / COO to join its leadership team and steer operational performance during a pivotal growth phase. You will shape strategy, build infrastructure and processes to scale the boutique tax practice while preserving its agile culture.

Reporting to the leadership team, you will drive efficiency, profitability and long-term growth, lead cross-functional initiatives, implement technology and AI-enabled solutions, manage budgeting and

Qualifications

• Experience managing a P&L and understanding business drivers.
• Track record of improving operational efficiency and profitability.
• Experience implementing technology, process improvement or automation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Driving operational efficiency across the business.
• Enhancing profitability and improving overall business performance.
• Leading strategic initiatives and growth projects.
• Developing scalable processes, systems and workflows.
• Reviewing and improving resource planning and utilisation.
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and P&L performance.
• Implementing technology and AI-enabled solutions to improve productivity.
• Monitoring KPIs and management information to support decision-making.
• Working closely with department heads to optimise team performance.
• Ensuring the business has the operational infrastructure required to support future growth.

Skills

P&L management

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Stakeholder management

Change management

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Job description

London | Leadership Opportunity | Growth-Focused Professional Services Firm

A highly successful and ambitious boutique tax practice is seeking a commercially minded Practice Director / COO to join its leadership team and play a pivotal role in its next phase of growth.

This is a rare opportunity to join a business at an exciting stage in its journey. Already well-established with a strong reputation in its market, the firm is experiencing significant growth and is looking for a strategic operator who can build the foundations, infrastructure and processes needed to scale successfully.

Reporting directly to the leadership team, you will take ownership of the firm's operational performance and work closely with senior stakeholders to drive efficiency, profitability and long-term growth.

The Opportunity

This is far more than a traditional practice director role.

You will act as the operational heartbeat of the business, bringing commercial rigour, process improvement and leadership to an entrepreneurial environment. The business is seeking someone who can introduce the structure, systems and operational excellence typically found within larger firms, whilst maintaining the agility and culture of a boutique yet growing practice.

Key areas of responsibility will include:

• Driving operational efficiency across the business
• Enhancing profitability and improving overall business performance
• Leading strategic initiatives and growth projects
• Developing scalable processes, systems and workflows
• Reviewing and improving resource planning and utilisation
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and P&L performance
• Implementing technology and AI-enabled solutions to improve productivity
• Monitoring KPIs and management information to support decision-making
• Working closely with department heads to optimise team performance
• Ensuring the business has the operational infrastructure required to support future growth

About You

We're interested in speaking with individuals who combine strong commercial acumen with a proven track record of improving business performance.

You may currently be operating as a:

• Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Practice Director
• Practice Manager
• Managing Director
• Commercial Director
• Head of Operations

You will likely bring:

• Experience managing a P&L and understanding business drivers
• A track record of improving operational efficiency and profitability
• Experience implementing technology, process improvement or automation initiatives
• Strong leadership and change management capabilities
• An analytical and solutions-focused mindset
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Why Join?

• Opportunity to shape the future of a growing and highly respected business
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making
• Significant autonomy and influence
• Ability to build and implement best-in-class operational practices
• Join at an early stage of growth and leave a lasting impact on the organisation's success
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial and ambitious culture
• Genuine long-term career progression opportunities

This role would suit a commercially minded operator who enjoys building, improving and scaling businesses, and who is excited by the prospect of making a visible and measurable impact on growth, performance and profitability.