Head of Operations, WHITON MAYNARD

WHITON MAYNARD

Head of Operations

£54,000 - £61,000 per annum + benefits (depending on knowledge and competencies)

Accountable to: Managing Director

Permanent, full-time or 4 days per week considered.

Remote based within the UK or Ireland with flexible working

Organisation:

Our client is a boutique global education consultancy dedicated to working with partners to collect and analyse data and improve learning around the world.

The consultancy prides itself on analytical rigour and strives to achieve excellence. They are a fast-paced organisation, focused on responding to the information needs of their partners as well as contributing to longer-term policy debates.

Over the last five years, the team has grown from two to eight (expected to soon grow further) and quintupled annual turnover. Growth projections over the next three years include more than doubling turnover again. Having expanded in the last two years from the low- and middle-income sector into the UK education sector, they expect significant growth in this portfolio.

Role:

Now an established boutique consultancy with a reputation for excellence, our client is looking for an experienced, ambitious and committed individual to join their growing team and help drive the organisation forward in their second strategic period (2023-27).

The strategy for this period is built on five strategic pillars: Brand and Visibility, Human Resources, Business Model, Business Development and Policies, Processes and Systems. They are looking for an exceptional Head of Operations to work with the company Directors and team members to implement action across these pillars, to strengthen organisational operational capacity for the next stage of growth and to shape the direction of the company.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational:

Monitor the implementation of the company brand and visibility strategy

Manage all Human Resource processes, including leading recruitment processes, leading the implementing of the retention action plan and monitoring performance against indicators

Build policies, processes and systems, in consultation with Directors, to support upcoming growth.

Project and people management:

Manage own time and workload

Lead the organisation through the process of growing the cadre of Project Managers to deliver projects

Support Project Managers with work-planning and budget management to ensure high quality delivery of projects on time and within budget

Contribute to team cohesion and morale

Procure, build relationships with and manage data collection partners in the UK and abroad

Establish and manage the external consultant database, undertake due diligence and build relationships ensuring only high-quality external consultants are included.

Strategic business development:

Identify upcoming opportunities and assess their suitability

Work with Directors to grow the international and UK-based portfolios

Lead project commercial proposals and quality assure others’ inputs

Manage commercial proposal writing and budgeting processes

Build current relationships with managing agents, expand the network of managing agents and ensure the organisation’s participation in future donor framework agreements.

Candidate:

This role will require a strong understanding of business operations within a consultancy environment, the ability to work at pace in a busy consultancy practice, and a strong understanding of the sector, including knowledge of relevant donors and funders. The post-holder will be a senior leader within the organisation and a senior representative, requiring a high level of diplomacy and relationship-building skills. A unique combination of strategic thinking, action-orientation and attention to detail will be required to excel in the role.

Essential:

Experience working in consultancy (international development and/or research and evaluation consultancy practice is desirable)

Solid knowledge and understanding of at least one of the following, and willingness and capacity to learn across:

• Organisational systems and processes
• Human resource management
• Business development
• Designing new processes to improve quality and increase productivity
  
  
  

Excellent IT skills and knowledge of common business consultancy software

Leadership and management skills and the ability to motivate and retain staff

Commercial awareness and a thorough understanding of the international development and/or UK education consultancy sector

Excellent planning and organisational skills

Outstanding programme management skills

Time management skills and the ability to prioritise effectively and delegate when appropriate

Excellent multi-tasking skills and the ability to make quick decisions

A mature and professional demeanour, even when under pressure

Experience implementing and monitoring business quality standards.

Desirable

Experience in a senior, external-facing role in a consultancy practice

Qualifications In Business Or Business Management

Proven track record in securing funding

Proven track record in change management, including designing and implementing processes to improve quality and increase productivity.

Apply:

To be considered, please send a copy of your CV to tim@whitonmaynard.com

Candidates with relevant skills and experience will be contacted to discuss further and a full Role Profile will be shared. Your application will then comprise a CV and a supporting statement.

Please note that you must already have the right to work in UK, visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

As specialist recruiters we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Closing date: Wednesday 26th February (12pm)