Senior Operations Manager

Metropolitan Police; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law enforcement agency in London is seeking a Head of CONNECT Operations to oversee a vital technology program. You will lead a team, manage budgets, and ensure operational efficiency while driving improvements. The role requires strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with significant autonomy and visibility in enhancing frontline policing. The position supports hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

28 days annual leave

Personal and professional development

Employee incentive program access

Generous family leave

Childcare support

Contributory pension scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Subsidised gym membership

Qualifications

• Thrives in complex environments with a proven record.
• Experience in public sector operations or technology programmes.
• Ability to manage budgets and hold suppliers accountable.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of five direct reports within the CONNECT Unit.
• Manage operational plans and budgets for the CONNECT system.
• Build relationships with Business Change, Solution Design, and Technical Delivery teams.

Skills

Leading operations teams

Managing budgets

Building relationships with stakeholders

Identifying and managing risks

Leading inclusively

Job description

HEAD OF CONNECT OPERATIONS

Salary: The starting salary is £80,260 which includes allowances totalling £2,928.

The salary is broken down as £77,332 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale - £89,320. Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location / Hybrid Working:

This role will be based at Sydenham, with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as core attendance days. It is expected that there will be a need for you to attend offsite meetings as required by the business. We actively support hybrid working solutions, with the expectation that you will have 2 days working at home.

The Role:

Imagine an officer responding to a call and instantly accessing the information they need - case details, custody records, intelligence and investigation notes, all in one place. That’s the promise of CONNECT. It has replaced seven separate systems with a single integrated solution used daily by thousands of officers across London.

The role you’ll play

As Head of CONNECT Operations, you will lead a team of five direct reports within the 160-strong CONNECT Unit. Your job is to keep the system running smoothly day to day, while shaping strategy and driving improvements that restore user trust.

You’ll manage the operational plan and budget, hold suppliers to account, and ensure risks are controlled. You’ll work closely with colleagues in Business Change, Solution Design and Technical Delivery, bringing together people, plans and resources so that CONNECT delivers for the frontline.

It’s a highly visible role, reporting directly to the Product Director, with significant autonomy. You’ll also act as deputy when needed, representing CONNECT at senior forums and influencing decisions that affect how policing is delivered across London. Every decision you make, every relationship you build, and every improvement you drive will have a direct impact on frontline policing.

Leading the technology that underpins frontline policing, overseeing the operational function of a system that changes how London is policed, this role is integral to the success of CONNECT.

Why are we recruiting now:

CONNECT is at a turning point. The consultant who has been leading operations since launch will hand over in April 2026, and you’ll inherit a capable team already making progress. The foundations are there; the challenge is to accelerate improvement, build confidence and make sure CONNECT delivers every day for those who depend on it.

This is not a role where you can sit in the background. It is visible, accountable and central to one of the Met’s most important technology programmes. For the right person, it is also an opportunity to lead meaningful change and see the impact of your work across the capital.

What we can offer:

• Hybrid working arrangements for a healthy work-life balance
• 28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays), rising to 33 days after 5 years continuous service
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Enrolment with the Met’s employee incentive partner, Edenred, giving access to a range of rewards and incentives
• Access to a range of financial products via the Metropolitan Police Trading Service, including preferred credit facilities
• Generous family leave for pregnancy, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave
• Childcare support including nursery and play scheme discounts
• Excellent contributory pension scheme for your financial future
• Access to the Bluelight Emergency Services discount card with a range of official discounts from large national retailers to local businesses including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more
• A substantial range of health and wellbeing benefits including physiotherapy, 24/7 rehabilitation services and free eye tests
• To promote physical well-being, you will have full access to subsidised sports centre membership to over 3,000 UK gyms and 80 London Fitness Centres. There is also an excellent range of sporting activities on offer through the various Met Police Sports and Social Clubs.

What you will bring:

We’re looking for someone who thrives in complex environments and brings a proven record of:

• Leading operations teams and delivering under pressure.
• Managing budgets for large-scale programmes, producing business cases and tracking financial performance.
• Holding suppliers to account and ensuring value for money.
• Identifying and managing risks and resolving issues quickly and effectively.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and adapting your communication style to different audiences.
• Leading inclusively, creating a collaborative environment where people can succeed.
• Experience in public sector operations, technology programmes or policing would be an advantage, as would HR or personnel management.

Security Clearance:

Due to the secure nature of our work, successful candidates must pass all vetting and security requirements, which for this role is Force Clearance Level, Management Vetting (MV), and National Security Vetting (NSV) Level, Security Check (SC).

Mets Vetting process and charter:

https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/c/careers/vetting/

More details relating to UK Security Clearance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-security-vetting

We view diversity as fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we welcome applications from all our London communities.