459 Chief Operating Officer jobs in the United Kingdom

Chief Operating Officer (COO) — London (Hybrid)

JD&CO is partnering with an exciting, mission-led D2C category leader that has grown to almost £100m revenue in just five years. The business is founder-led, enjoys exceptionally loyal customers thanks to highly effective products and outstanding satisfaction/recommendation scores, and is now gearing up to double again through disciplined international expansion and a thoughtful move into omnichannel.

This is a company that scales with rigour and a focus on sustainably, not at any cost. We’re now helping them build out the leadership team with a people-first COO to be the operational engine of the business - owning company planning, driving communication, and building cadence, clarity and cohesion across teams.

The Role:

• Cadence & accountability: Own company planning, OKRs and reporting; establish clear weekly/monthly/quarterly rhythms.
• People & culture: Partner with People leaders to scale hiring, performance and engagement; help anchor a growing London HQ.
• Customer & operations interface: Keep CX high while partnering closely with supply/ops leaders to maintain service levels.
• Data & systems: Implement the right tooling and dashboards to enable data-driven decisions.
• Cross-functional problem solving: Tackle complex issues across operations, commercial and compliance with calm, pragmatic judgement.
• Enable international & omnichannel: Prepare processes, team structures and metrics for new markets and channels.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven operator at scale: Success leading operations in fast-paced consumer/D2C settings, typically £0m–£1 m revenue.
• People-first leadership: Built high-performing teams and operating rhythm in founder-led environments.
• Data-driven rigour: Fluent with OKRs, dashboards and system implementation; strong grip on unit economics and execution.
• Change & scale experience: Introduced structure without slowing the business; improved cross-functional execution.
• Helpful exposure: International growth and/or omnichannel (moving from online into retail).

The set-up:

• Location: London HQ (hybrid); regular in-person time for leadership cadence and team building.
• Package: Competitive base, bonus and equity.

Learn More:

Reach out to JD&Co Talent Partner, Simon Gottschalk for a confidential conversation

Finally…

As a targeted search, please only apply for this role if you meet the essential criteria we have outlined. We are expecting an exceptionally high volume of applications; sadly, we're unlikely to be able to respond to everyone individually. Thanks for being patient and we'll be sure to get in touch if we're keen to take your application further.

JD & Co is passionate about championing diversity and challenging unconscious bias and treat each application carefully. Thank you for your interest and please follow our LI profile page for further updates.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) — London (Hybrid)

JD&CO is partnering with an exciting, mission-led D2C category leader that has grown to almost £100m revenue in just five years. The business is founder-led, enjoys exceptionally loyal customers thanks to highly effective products and outstanding satisfaction/recommendation scores, and is now gearing up to double again through disciplined international expansion and a thoughtful move into omnichannel.

This is a company that scales with rigour and a focus on sustainably, not at any cost. We’re now helping them build out the leadership team with a people-first COO to be the operational engine of the business - owning company planning, driving communication, and building cadence, clarity and cohesion across teams.

The Role:

• Cadence & accountability: Own company planning, OKRs and reporting; establish clear weekly/monthly/quarterly rhythms.
• People & culture: Partner with People leaders to scale hiring, performance and engagement; help anchor a growing London HQ.
• Customer & operations interface: Keep CX high while partnering closely with supply/ops leaders to maintain service levels.
• Data & systems: Implement the right tooling and dashboards to enable data-driven decisions.
• Cross-functional problem solving: Tackle complex issues across operations, commercial and compliance with calm, pragmatic judgement.
• Enable international & omnichannel: Prepare processes, team structures and metrics for new markets and channels.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven operator at scale: Success leading operations in fast-paced consumer/D2C settings, typically £0m–£1 m revenue.
• People-first leadership: Built high-performing teams and operating rhythm in founder-led environments.
• Data-driven rigour: Fluent with OKRs, dashboards and system implementation; strong grip on unit economics and execution.
• Change & scale experience: Introduced structure without slowing the business; improved cross-functional execution.
• Helpful exposure: International growth and/or omnichannel (moving from online into retail).

The set-up:

• Location: London HQ (hybrid); regular in-person time for leadership cadence and team building.
• Package: Competitive base, bonus and equity.

Learn More:

Reach out to JD&Co Talent Partner, Simon Gottschalk for a confidential conversation

Finally…

As a targeted search, please only apply for this role if you meet the essential criteria we have outlined. We are expecting an exceptionally high volume of applications; sadly, we're unlikely to be able to respond to everyone individually. Thanks for being patient and we'll be sure to get in touch if we're keen to take your application further.

JD & Co is passionate about championing diversity and challenging unconscious bias and treat each application carefully. Thank you for your interest and please follow our LI profile page for further updates.

Chief Operating Officer Leisure business £150,000

Location: London HQ (with regular European travel MUST have experience in Europe)

Head office is Hertfordshire - sub office in London

This is a rare and exciting leadership role within one of the UK’s most dynamic leisure and attractions businesses. A growing and emerging concept/brand major in the industry, the group is now entering a significant growth phase with planned expansion into key European markets.

With a strong brand, well-established sites, and a reputation for delivering memorable visitor experiences, the business is now looking for an accomplished Chief Operating Officer to help shape its future. This is a pivotal role, you’ll work closely with the CEO , with a clear pathway to step up and lead the business in the longer term.

As COO, you’ll oversee day-to-day operations across a diverse and growing portfolio of leisure/attractions. You’ll drive performance and efficiency while ensuring each site maintains its unique energy, high standards, and guest-focused culture. Strategically, you’ll play a key role in preparing the business for international growth, setting up the right structures, teams, and processes to scale successfully across Europe.

Who we’re looking for:

• A proven senior operator (COO, Operations Director, or similar) with direct experience in leisure, attractions, or visitor-led destinations
• Strong track record managing multi-site operations, ideally high-volume sites with complex operational needs
• Experience delivering expansion across the UK and Europe, you understand both the opportunities and challenges of scaling internationally
• Commercially astute with the ability to balance growth with exceptional customer experience
• Hands-on, people-focused, and able to inspire large teams across multiple locations
• A strategic thinker with long-term vision, excited by the opportunity to help lead a business through its next phase of growth
• This is a stand-out opportunity for a highly capable operator who wants to make a genuine impact in a fast-growing, ambitious company within the leisure and attractions sector.

If you love the idea of stepping into a dynamic role with serious potential — and you’ve got the leadership skills to help, take this brand to the next level — we’d love to hear from you.

We are beginning to have confidential conversations so please do get in touch to discuss things further – Stuart Hills OR call

Jubilee Market Hall (JMH), a historic and much-loved, market hall in the heart of London's Covent Garden, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) with a clear plan for the appointment to succeed the current Chief Executive Officer mid-2026.

This is a rare leadership opportunity to join a unique organisation that combines commercial responsibility with a strong sense of community stewardship. Owned and operated by a collective of 113 market traders, JMH is a not-for-profit enterprise that reinvests surplus income back into the market's upkeep and promotion.

You will work closely with outgoing CEO Stewart Carroll for a six-month transition period, ensuring a smooth handover of operations and governance. Following his planned departure in June 2026, you will assume broader responsibilities, with the potential to become the Chief Executive Officer.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Leading day-to-day market operations, ensuring a safe and vibrant environment.
• Overseeing a lean operational team and external consultants.
• Working with a new Head of Finance on budgeting, financial planning, and reporting.
• Building and sustaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including market traders, Shaftesbury Capital Plc, local authorities, and community groups.
• Supporting the Board of Directors and the wider shareholder community.
• Contributing to long-term strategic projects.

About You

You will have at least 7 years of senior operational leadership experience, ideally from a market, cultural venue, retail, heritage, or not-for-profit background. You are a collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader with strong financial acumen and a proven track record of managing complex, public-facing environments.

If you are a resilient and adaptable leader with as passion for London and the diplomacy to manage diverse stakeholder interests, we encourage you to apply.

Bank of London offers a safer business banking model by holding all deposits at the Bank of England, eliminating the risk of 'bank runs.' It provides services such as Deposit, Embedded Banking, as well as Commercial Banking tailored to businesses. Powered by proprietary technology, the bank collaborates with SAP Fioneer to deliver innovative solutions. With a focus on exceptional service and core values of ownership, curiosity, the bank strives for excellence in all it does.

Description

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the operational strategy and execution across our growing banking platform. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team , the COO will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, delivering outstanding client service, and ensuring robust governance and compliance across domestic and international operations.

This is a rare opportunity to define the future of a fast-evolving, growth-focused financial institution— delivering scalable, resilient, and client-centric operations that are fit for the digital age.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward-looking operations strategy aligned with Board-approved business goals and growth ambitions.
• Champion a customer-centric, digitally enabled operations function that delivers seamless service and drives competitive advantage.
• Establish scalable frameworks, KPIs, and performance benchmarks to enable sustainable business growth and operational excellence.

Operational Oversight

• Lead all banking operations, including critical third-party and outsourced service providers, ensuring seamless service delivery and adherence to SLAs.
• Design and optimise processes for operational efficiency, quality, control, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure rigorous governance of all outsourcing arrangements, including performance monitoring, contract compliance, and regulatory obligations.

Financial Crime Risk Management

As first-line owner of financial crime risk management and controls, the COO will ensure efficient and compliant operational execution across the following risk areas:

• KYC & Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Oversee end-to-end KYC lifecycle, including onboarding, periodic reviews, and trigger-based updates.
• Client Onboarding: Deliver compliant, efficient onboarding journeys aligned with risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
• Transaction Monitoring: Ensure timely, effective investigation and escalation of alerts, including SAR management.
• Sanctions Compliance: Oversee screening and escalation processes for sanctions adherence across clients, payments, and vendors.
• Anti-Fraud Controls: Implement and oversee fraud detection and prevention frameworks across all customer channels.
• Surveillance: Monitor for market abuse and misconduct through robust communications and trade surveillance.
• Governance & MI: Deliver actionable financial crime metrics, ensure first-line ownership of controls, and provide insight into emerging risks.
• Policy Implementation & Training: Ensure operational teams are trained and aligned with current policies, procedures, and regulatory expectations.

Consumer Duty & Conduct Risk

• Act as the senior first-line lead for Consumer Duty, ensuring all customer journeys deliver good outcomes and fair treatment across the product lifecycle.
• Embed Consumer Duty principles into operational processes, MI, complaints handling, and service design (price & value, consumer understanding, product suitability, support).
• Lead delivery of customer outcome testing and ensure operational ownership of resulting action plans and improvements.
• Drive a culture of accountability for conduct and customer outcomes within the operations function.
• Collaborate with second line teams to identify, manage, and mitigate Conduct Risk in day-to-day operations and product delivery.

Customer Service & Payments

• Lead the delivery of high-integrity, real-time payment and settlement services across multiple channels and currencies.
• Ensure compliance with payment system rules, internal policies, and applicable regulatory standards (e.g., Faster Payments, BACS, CHAPS, SWIFT).
• Promote a strong customer-first culture, ensuring excellence in service delivery, complaint resolution, and vulnerable customer support.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Maintain a strong first-line control environment, aligned with enterprise risk frameworks and regulatory requirements and expectations, including the safety of client assets (segregated, safeguarding, CASS etc.)
• Ensure ownership and effective execution of first-line risk and control responsibilities, including RCSA, control testing, and incident management.
• Provide timely and transparent operational risk reporting to the Executive Team and Risk Committees, including emerging risks and remediation status.
• Ensure adherence to enterprise-wide risk policies, with clear accountability for first-line execution.
• Maintain audit readiness and diligently close audit matters raised on a timely basis.

Operational Resilience & Business Continuity

• Lead the development and execution of the Bank’s operational resilience strategy, including scenario testing, impact tolerances, and disruption readiness.
• Ensure comprehensive and regularly tested Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) are in place and tailored to the Bank’s critical business services.
• Collaborate with technology, risk, and business teams to ensure recovery time objectives are realistic and achievable.

Budgeting & Resource Planning

• Lead operational planning and budget management, ensuring alignment of resources to strategic priorities.
• Drive continuous efficiency improvements, cost optimisation, and value creation across operational functions.

Leadership & Organisational Development

• Inspire, lead, and develop a high-performing operations team aligned with the Bank’s mission, culture, and values.
• Continuously assess the operating model and talent requirements to ensure capability, agility, and succession readiness.
• Develop clear partnership, sourcing and location strategies to optimise business performance.
• Role-model the Bank’s leadership values, with a focus on collaboration, accountability, and customer-first thinking.

Executive & Board Engagement

• Serve as an active member of the ExCo , contributing to enterprise-level strategy, planning, and performance oversight.
• Provide operational input into cross-functional initiatives including product launches, risk reviews, and market entry strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or a related discipline; MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in banking or financial services, with proven expertise in operations, payments, and risk control environments.
• Strong knowledge of first-line responsibilities, including financial crime compliance, conduct risk, and Consumer Duty execution.

Professional Competencies

• Deep knowledge of operational frameworks, payment systems, and regulatory standards (e.g., AML, KYC, CASS, PSD2, Consumer Duty).
• Demonstrated success leading large, multifunctional teams in complex, regulated environments.
• Experience embedding regulatory principles into scalable operational processes.
• Proven track record in digital transformation, regtech adoption, and operational innovation.

Leadership Attributes

• Visionary and results-driven, with excellent judgment and commercial acumen.
• Strong communicator and cross-functional collaborator, including at Board and ExCo level.
• Pragmatic leader with high integrity, resilience, and a deep sense of accountability.
• Passionate about customer outcomes, operational integrity, and sustainable growth.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a senior leadership role — it’s a chance to shape the operational backbone of a future-forward financial institution. As COO, you’ll be instrumental in defining how we scale, serve our customers, and respond to a rapidly evolving regulatory and operational landscape. Join us in building a platform that is efficient, resilient, and designed around fair customer outcomes.

Location

· London (5 days per week in the office)

· Travel to other locations may be required on occasion.

Diversity

Bank of London is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion, diversity and belonging. All qualified applicants are welcome and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion or religious expression, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity and expression, transgender, national origin, or military veteran status.

Bank of London offers a safer business banking model by holding all deposits at the Bank of England, eliminating the risk of 'bank runs.' It provides services such as Deposit, Embedded Banking, as well as Commercial Banking tailored to businesses. Powered by proprietary technology, the bank collaborates with SAP Fioneer to deliver innovative solutions. With a focus on exceptional service and core values of ownership, curiosity, the bank strives for excellence in all it does.

Description

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the operational strategy and execution across our growing banking platform. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team , the COO will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, delivering outstanding client service, and ensuring robust governance and compliance across domestic and international operations.

This is a rare opportunity to define the future of a fast-evolving, growth-focused financial institution— delivering scalable, resilient, and client-centric operations that are fit for the digital age.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward-looking operations strategy aligned with Board-approved business goals and growth ambitions.
• Champion a customer-centric, digitally enabled operations function that delivers seamless service and drives competitive advantage.
• Establish scalable frameworks, KPIs, and performance benchmarks to enable sustainable business growth and operational excellence.

Operational Oversight

• Lead all banking operations, including critical third-party and outsourced service providers, ensuring seamless service delivery and adherence to SLAs.
• Design and optimise processes for operational efficiency, quality, control, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure rigorous governance of all outsourcing arrangements, including performance monitoring, contract compliance, and regulatory obligations.

Financial Crime Risk Management

As first-line owner of financial crime risk management and controls, the COO will ensure efficient and compliant operational execution across the following risk areas:

• KYC & Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Oversee end-to-end KYC lifecycle, including onboarding, periodic reviews, and trigger-based updates.
• Client Onboarding: Deliver compliant, efficient onboarding journeys aligned with risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
• Transaction Monitoring: Ensure timely, effective investigation and escalation of alerts, including SAR management.
• Sanctions Compliance: Oversee screening and escalation processes for sanctions adherence across clients, payments, and vendors.
• Anti-Fraud Controls: Implement and oversee fraud detection and prevention frameworks across all customer channels.
• Surveillance: Monitor for market abuse and misconduct through robust communications and trade surveillance.
• Governance & MI: Deliver actionable financial crime metrics, ensure first-line ownership of controls, and provide insight into emerging risks.
• Policy Implementation & Training: Ensure operational teams are trained and aligned with current policies, procedures, and regulatory expectations.

Consumer Duty & Conduct Risk

• Act as the senior first-line lead for Consumer Duty, ensuring all customer journeys deliver good outcomes and fair treatment across the product lifecycle.
• Embed Consumer Duty principles into operational processes, MI, complaints handling, and service design (price & value, consumer understanding, product suitability, support).
• Lead delivery of customer outcome testing and ensure operational ownership of resulting action plans and improvements.
• Drive a culture of accountability for conduct and customer outcomes within the operations function.
• Collaborate with second line teams to identify, manage, and mitigate Conduct Risk in day-to-day operations and product delivery.

Customer Service & Payments

• Lead the delivery of high-integrity, real-time payment and settlement services across multiple channels and currencies.
• Ensure compliance with payment system rules, internal policies, and applicable regulatory standards (e.g., Faster Payments, BACS, CHAPS, SWIFT).
• Promote a strong customer-first culture, ensuring excellence in service delivery, complaint resolution, and vulnerable customer support.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Maintain a strong first-line control environment, aligned with enterprise risk frameworks and regulatory requirements and expectations, including the safety of client assets (segregated, safeguarding, CASS etc.)
• Ensure ownership and effective execution of first-line risk and control responsibilities, including RCSA, control testing, and incident management.
• Provide timely and transparent operational risk reporting to the Executive Team and Risk Committees, including emerging risks and remediation status.
• Ensure adherence to enterprise-wide risk policies, with clear accountability for first-line execution.
• Maintain audit readiness and diligently close audit matters raised on a timely basis.

Operational Resilience & Business Continuity

• Lead the development and execution of the Bank’s operational resilience strategy, including scenario testing, impact tolerances, and disruption readiness.
• Ensure comprehensive and regularly tested Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) are in place and tailored to the Bank’s critical business services.
• Collaborate with technology, risk, and business teams to ensure recovery time objectives are realistic and achievable.

Budgeting & Resource Planning

• Lead operational planning and budget management, ensuring alignment of resources to strategic priorities.
• Drive continuous efficiency improvements, cost optimisation, and value creation across operational functions.

Leadership & Organisational Development

• Inspire, lead, and develop a high-performing operations team aligned with the Bank’s mission, culture, and values.
• Continuously assess the operating model and talent requirements to ensure capability, agility, and succession readiness.
• Develop clear partnership, sourcing and location strategies to optimise business performance.
• Role-model the Bank’s leadership values, with a focus on collaboration, accountability, and customer-first thinking.

Executive & Board Engagement

• Serve as an active member of the ExCo , contributing to enterprise-level strategy, planning, and performance oversight.
• Provide operational input into cross-functional initiatives including product launches, risk reviews, and market entry strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or a related discipline; MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in banking or financial services, with proven expertise in operations, payments, and risk control environments.
• Strong knowledge of first-line responsibilities, including financial crime compliance, conduct risk, and Consumer Duty execution.

Professional Competencies

• Deep knowledge of operational frameworks, payment systems, and regulatory standards (e.g., AML, KYC, CASS, PSD2, Consumer Duty).
• Demonstrated success leading large, multifunctional teams in complex, regulated environments.
• Experience embedding regulatory principles into scalable operational processes.
• Proven track record in digital transformation, regtech adoption, and operational innovation.

Leadership Attributes

• Visionary and results-driven, with excellent judgment and commercial acumen.
• Strong communicator and cross-functional collaborator, including at Board and ExCo level.
• Pragmatic leader with high integrity, resilience, and a deep sense of accountability.
• Passionate about customer outcomes, operational integrity, and sustainable growth.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a senior leadership role — it’s a chance to shape the operational backbone of a future-forward financial institution. As COO, you’ll be instrumental in defining how we scale, serve our customers, and respond to a rapidly evolving regulatory and operational landscape. Join us in building a platform that is efficient, resilient, and designed around fair customer outcomes.

Location

· London (5 days per week in the office)

· Travel to other locations may be required on occasion.

Diversity

Bank of London is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion, diversity and belonging. All qualified applicants are welcome and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion or religious expression, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity and expression, transgender, national origin, or military veteran status.

Jubilee Market Hall (JMH), a historic and much-loved, market hall in the heart of London's Covent Garden, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) with a clear plan for the appointment to succeed the current Chief Executive Officer mid-2026.

This is a rare leadership opportunity to join a unique organisation that combines commercial responsibility with a strong sense of community stewardship. Owned and operated by a collective of 113 market traders, JMH is a not-for-profit enterprise that reinvests surplus income back into the market's upkeep and promotion.

You will work closely with outgoing CEO Stewart Carroll for a six-month transition period, ensuring a smooth handover of operations and governance. Following his planned departure in June 2026, you will assume broader responsibilities, with the potential to become the Chief Executive Officer.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Leading day-to-day market operations, ensuring a safe and vibrant environment.
• Overseeing a lean operational team and external consultants.
• Working with a new Head of Finance on budgeting, financial planning, and reporting.
• Building and sustaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including market traders, Shaftesbury Capital Plc, local authorities, and community groups.
• Supporting the Board of Directors and the wider shareholder community.
• Contributing to long-term strategic projects.

About You

You will have at least 7 years of senior operational leadership experience, ideally from a market, cultural venue, retail, heritage, or not-for-profit background. You are a collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader with strong financial acumen and a proven track record of managing complex, public-facing environments.

If you are a resilient and adaptable leader with as passion for London and the diplomacy to manage diverse stakeholder interests, we encourage you to apply.

Chief Operating Officer

Alex Begg Group Limited produces luxury cashmere scarves, knitwear and home furnishings in Scotland, supplying luxury brand customers across the world. The Company also manufactures product under its own brand, Begg x Co, opening a retail store in London’s Burlington Arcade in 2022. Certified B Corp, our mission is to create the world’s finest hand-crafted cashmere born out of the intersection where responsibility for people and planet meets excellence in design.

With over 150 years of experience, we employ more than 200 people across sites in Ayr and Hawick.

We are looking to appoint a strategic and well-rounded COO who will be the custodian of manufacturing excellence and efficiency across our manufacturing sites. The COO will be responsible for overseeing the business operation strategy to support growth and innovation, as well as sustainability and health & safety.

Reporting directly to the CEO you will work closely with the Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Innovation Officer as a member of the Executive Committee.

You will have a background in manufacturing, and a strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain, KPIs and operations management. Multi-site leadership experience is highly desirable. We are looking for somebody who will challenge the status quo and has a creative and entrepreneurial spirit.

The COO is the ‘Master of Operations’ at Alex Begg Group and represents a critical role in our future growth and success – if this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Ailsa Sutherland at For an initial confidential conversation, you can reach her at .