348 Operations Strategy jobs in the United Kingdom

Fast, flexible finance empowers small businesses to manage their cash flow better and seize opportunities - making their business and the economy stronger as a whole. At iwoca, we do just that. We help businesses get the funds they need, when they need it, often within minutes. We’ve already made several billion in funding available to over 100,000 businesses since we launched in 2012, and positioned ourselves as a leading Fintech in Europe. Our mission is to finance one million businesses. We’ll get there by continuing to make our finance ever more relevant and accessible to more businesses by combining cutting-edge technology, data science and a 5-star customer service

At iwoca, we’re constantly striving to improve the quality and efficiency of the service we provide to our customers.

The Operations Strategy team (currently 7 people) exists to understand Operations performance, drive efficiencies and improve service. As an Operations Strategy Manager, you’ll work closely with teams such as Customer Success, Credit Analysts, Collections & Legal, People Operations and our support team in India, to identify opportunities and drive meaningful impact.

Requirements

To achieve this you will:-

• Work with Operations to identify problems that need solving, such as:
• What is the optimal contact strategy for the Customer Success team to employ, in order to drive conversion through the funnel? How do we test this?
• What is the value of calling delinquent customers and how do we test this?
• What metrics can we use to measure the performance of our Customer Success team?
• How can we most accurately forecast capacity needs for each team, to ensure we remove all operations bottlenecks?
• Analyse data to inform your answers and shape an effective solution; as well as doing your own analysis, you’ll work with our Operations Strategy Data Scientist to get even more analytical power from your data
• Take responsibility for implementing these changes, working closely with Ops and Tech & Analytics in the process
• Understand strategic developments across the business and identify how they will impact Operations, and how Operations will need to adapt in order to support future strategies

You’ll work on a variety of fast-paced projects, learning from tests and effecting changes that really make an impact.

In this role, you will work closely with our COO and have significant exposure to senior management, as well as stakeholders from across the business (including Tech, Analytics, Marketing, Portfolio Risk & Finance).

What we’re looking for:-

• Someone who has previously worked in a top-tier strategy consulting or banking firm, or similar role in the finance industry.
• A natural curiosity to spot, break down and resolve problems
• Excellent at distilling complex information into key points, and presenting information (both written, and verbally) that is clear, succinct, well structured and engaging
• Someone who is superbly analytical (we live and breathe data). Experience with Python is a plus
• Resourceful and confident to gather & utilise primary and secondary research to derive data-led insights in an imperfect world (i.e. when you never have all the data you’d like, exactly as you’d like it)
• Proven ability or demonstrable desire to implement findings of your research, we need a ‘doer’ who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and working across the business to see through the results of your work
• Team player with a fine balance of confidence, gravitas, humility and enthusiasm: you will need to work with various teams to get stuff done in a rapidly growing environment where resources are continuously stretched
• Exceptional levels of personal integrity, given you’ll be exposed to a number of commercially and strategically sensitive projects
• Excited about helping small businesses thrive - belief in our mission is important!At iwoca, we’re constantly striving to improve the quality and efficiency of the service we provide to our customers. The Operations Strategy team (currently 7 people) exists to understand Operations performance, drive efficiencies and improve service. As an Operations Strategy Manager, you’ll work closely with teams such as Customer Success, Credit Analysts, Collections & Legal, People Operations and our support team in India, to identify opportunities and drive meaningful impact.

Benefits

We put a lot of effort into making iwoca a brilliant place to work:

• Offices in London, Leeds and Frankfurt
• Events and clubs, like bingo, comedy nights, yoga classes, football…
• Two company retreats a year, we’ve been to France, Italy, Spain and further afield
• Plenty of drinks and snacks in our offices

Our benefits:

• Medical insurance from Vitality, including discounted gym membership
• 25 days’ holiday and an extra day off for your birthday
• Instant access to emotional and mental health support with our partner, Spill
• Share options
• Generous maternity leave and shared parental leave
• A nursery tax benefit scheme to help you save money
• Paid volunteering time to support your chosen charity
• Extra leave if you want to travel or study
• One-month fully paid sabbatical after 4 years
• Cycle-to-work scheme and electric car scheme

And to make sure we all keep learning, we offer:

• An L&D budget for everyone, including a book budget
• Company-wide talks with internal and external speakers
• Access to learning platforms like Treehouse if you want to learn to code

• Develop and refine the long-term operational strategy for the organisation, aligning with overall business objectives.
• Analyze existing operational processes and identify opportunities for improvement, efficiency gains, and cost reduction.
• Lead the design and implementation of new operational models, technologies, and best practices.
• Manage and mentor a team of operational analysts and project managers.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational effectiveness and progress against strategic goals.
• Collaborate with senior leadership across departments to ensure seamless integration of operational strategies.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking to identify industry trends and competitive advantages.
• Oversee major operational transformation projects from inception to completion.
• Facilitate strategic planning workshops and drive alignment on operational priorities.
• Ensure operational strategies support sustainability and ethical business practices.

• Develop and refine the long-term operational strategy aligned with the company's overall business objectives.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, cost optimization, and efficiency gains across all business units.
• Lead strategic projects focused on supply chain optimization, logistics, manufacturing excellence, and service delivery.
• Analyze operational performance metrics, identify trends, and develop actionable insights to drive decision-making.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and department heads to translate strategic goals into tactical operational plans.
• Oversee the implementation of new operational technologies and systems.
• Develop and manage the operational budget, ensuring financial targets are met.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Lead and mentor a team of operational specialists and project managers.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations and quality standards.

• MBA or Master's degree in Operations Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management, strategic planning, or a related leadership role.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful operational strategies that drive significant business impact.
• Deep understanding of supply chain management, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process improvement methodologies.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in change management and implementing large-scale operational transformations.
• Proficiency in project management tools and ERP systems.
• This role operates on a hybrid model, requiring a blend of on-site presence at our Milton Keynes headquarters and remote work.

• Develop and execute comprehensive operational strategies to support business objectives.
• Analyse existing operations to identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
• Lead strategic projects focused on process improvement and re-engineering.
• Drive the adoption of best practices in supply chain management and logistics.
• Implement performance management frameworks and key operational metrics.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational strategy with corporate goals.
• Oversee the integration of new technologies and systems into operational workflows.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Manage change initiatives and ensure successful implementation of strategic plans.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management and strategic planning.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing successful operational strategies in a global context.
• Extensive experience with process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and operational analytics tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects.
• Experience in leading remote or distributed teams is a plus.

• Develop and execute long-term operational strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
• Lead comprehensive analyses of current operational processes, identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for enhancement.
• Design and implement process improvements, technological solutions, and organizational changes to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitoring systems to track operational performance and progress against strategic goals.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership across various departments (e.g., Finance, Sales, HR, IT) to ensure integrated strategy execution.
• Manage and mentor a team of strategic analysts and operational project managers.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify industry best practices and emerging trends.
• Oversee the successful implementation of strategic projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the operations function.
• Communicate strategic plans and progress effectively to all levels of the organization.

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management, strategic planning, or consulting.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing complex operational strategies that yielded significant business improvements.
• Strong understanding of process re-engineering methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with change management principles and practices.
• Proficiency in financial analysis and budgeting.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

• Develop and implement comprehensive operational strategies aligned with the company's long-term vision and financial goals.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and quality standards are consistently met or exceeded.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement innovative solutions to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of operational managers and staff.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance for operational departments, ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Drive strategic planning initiatives, market analysis, and competitive intelligence gathering.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, partners, and regulatory bodies.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational success and identify areas for development.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Lead change management initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.
• Oversee the implementation of new technologies and systems to support operational growth.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations on operational performance and strategic progress for the executive leadership team.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful strategic and operational plans.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management and P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Experience in driving operational efficiency and implementing process improvements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in using ERP systems and other operational management software.
• Experience in remote team management and leadership is highly desirable.
• Ability to think strategically and translate vision into actionable plans.

• Develop and implement the company's long-term operations strategy.
• Analyse current operational processes and identify areas for improvement and optimisation.
• Design and execute strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to inform strategic decisions.
• Champion the adoption of new technologies, tools, and methodologies in operations.
• Collaborate with department heads to ensure operational plans align with business objectives.
• Develop and manage operational budgets and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Lead and manage cross-functional projects related to operational transformation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop frameworks for scaling operations to support business growth.
• Communicate strategic vision and progress to senior leadership and the wider organisation.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in operations management, strategy development, and business transformation.
• Proven track record of successfully leading strategic initiatives and driving significant operational improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with experience influencing senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of various operational functions, including supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service.
• Strategic thinker with a forward-looking perspective.

• Developing and executing comprehensive operational strategies aligned with the organisation's mission and goals.
• Leading strategic planning initiatives, including market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and scenario planning.
• Overseeing the optimisation of operational processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality.
• Identifying opportunities for innovation and the implementation of new technologies and best practices.
• Managing cross-functional teams to deliver on strategic operational projects and initiatives.
• Developing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational effectiveness and progress.
• Providing strategic guidance and support to senior leadership on operational matters.
• Managing stakeholder relationships, including internal departments, external partners, and regulatory bodies.
• Leading change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new strategies and processes.
• Developing and managing budgets for strategic operational projects and initiatives.
• Mentoring and developing a team of strategic advisors and analysts.
• Ensuring operational compliance with relevant regulations and standards.