About the Role
As Chief Operating Officer you will act as the operational leader of the company and the CEO's peer in running the business. You will own the infrastructure that lets the organisation plan, decide, measure, deliver, and improve, leading the transition from a centralised operating model to one where business units have greater autonomy, supported by shared enterprise infrastructure. You will design and deploy the company's business operating system, replacing informal, person-dependent processes with adaptive, AI-enabled systems that scale. You will lead Enterprise Operations, ICT, AI, People, Finance, Legal, and Venture Studio operations, working closely with the CEO and C-suite peers to shape and execute organisational strategy, while also supporting the CTO in rebuilding the company's engineering and delivery capability.
Requirements
- Extensive experience as a progressive leader with significant time at C-suite or equivalent executive level with a broad functional remit
- Proven track record leading operations at scale inside an engineering-led company
- Experience leading multiple functions simultaneously, including operations, people, finance, and technology-adjacent functions
- Experience leading large-scale organisational transformation, particularly transitions to distributed operating models
- Background at a world-class software or technology company in a senior operational or general management role
- Experience as a genuine peer or operational partner to a CEO or founder
- Strong background in OKR design, governance frameworks, and cross-functional programme delivery
- Demonstrated experience of AI, agentic systems, and AI-enabled operations
- Familiarity with Web3, blockchain, or deep tech is advantageous
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or equivalent professional experience
Responsibilities
- Own the operational model, including structures, systems, and rhythms that keep the organisation coherent
- Build frameworks that enable functional autonomy while maintaining enterprise-wide alignment
- Serve as the primary operational decision-maker, with decision authority on facilities and M&A costs
- Manage the company's Book of Work, tracking what is in flight, next, blocked, or stopped
- Lead the Executive Committee and drive the operating cadence of the executive team
- Set the meeting philosophy for the executive team around KPI performance and remedies
- Partner with the CEO on internal communications strategy
- Own the design and deployment of the business operating system, including frameworks, workflows, metrics, and governance
- Lead the transition from informal processes to systematic AI-enabled infrastructure
- Ensure the operating system adapts through feedback loops and AI-driven insights
- Identify metrics that matter for business survival and success
- Set the KPI framework across the organisation, including definition, cascade, measurement, and review
- Hold executive peers and function leaders accountable for metrics in their domain
- Drive continuous improvement through quantitative signals
- Support the CTO in rebuilding the engineering and delivery organisation
- Partner with the CTO to import operating disciplines of elite software companies
- Partner with the CTO and Chief People Officer on technical headcount strategy and workforce planning
- Support integration of engineering velocity and delivery metrics into performance management
- Drive the Enterprise Services model across People, ICT, Finance, and Legal
- Set service standards and performance expectations across enterprise functions
- Own contracts management, procurement, and vendor strategy at the enterprise level
- Own enterprise facilities, workplace, and remote-first operations
- Set the strategy for how AI is used across the business, partnering with the VP of AI and Data
- Own the workforce architecture model for AI agents and human direction
- Apply cybernetic principles to design self-regulating operational systems
- Champion the company as a demonstration case for AI-enabled organisations
- Work with the Chief People Officer to attract, develop, and retain talent
- Partner with the CEO and CPO on organisational design decisions
- Oversee compensation frameworks, performance management, and learning and development
- Drive a culture of accountability, psychological safety, and continuous improvement
- Hold group-level budget authority across functions in the COO's remit
- Partner with the CFO on annual and quarterly budgeting and reporting
- Bring risk and cost sensing to major operational decisions
- Ensure Legal and Compliance operate proactively
- Own enterprise operational risk, business continuity, and incident response
- Partner with ICT and Legal on information security, data governance, and privacy
- Own the operating model of the Venture Studio, including incubation and resourcing
- Ensure ventures have access to enterprise services and scalable infrastructure
- Partner with the CTO, Chief Product Officer, and Chief Innovation Officer on technical incubation and spin-outs
- Act as the CEO's operational peer, representing the company in board reporting and partner negotiations
- Build and maintain relationships with functional leaders, board members, and external partners