Head of Operations (£110,000 - £145,000 + equity)

ABOUT NEXTSTEP

NextStep connects top consulting talent with high-potential opportunities through smart, AI-powered matching. We partner with ambitious companies across sectors to place experienced professionals in roles where they can have a real impact. On behalf of a client in our partner network, we are looking for an exceptional Head of Operations.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a Series B marketplace company based in London that connects buyers and sellers in the professional services sector. They have scaled to significant GMV, operate across six European markets, and are investing heavily in the operational infrastructure needed to support continued growth without compromising the quality of the marketplace experience. The COO is building out a senior operations leadership team, and this role is the most important hire in that build.

THE ROLE

As Head of Operations, you will be responsible for the end-to-end operational performance of the marketplace, from supply and demand quality management through to process design, tooling, and team capability. You will work closely with the COO to set the operational agenda, lead a team of 10, and drive the systems and standards that allow the business to scale with confidence. This is a role for someone who has done this before or is clearly ready to, and who leads from the front.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own the operational performance of the marketplace end-to-end, including quality standards, fulfilment metrics, and supplier and buyer experience outcomes.

• Design and implement scalable operational processes across onboarding, matching, dispute resolution, and quality assurance.

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of 10 across operations, quality, and support functions, setting high standards and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Partner with Product and Engineering to identify and prioritise operational tooling and automation opportunities that reduce manual effort and improve consistency.

• Define and monitor the operational KPIs and reporting infrastructure that give the COO and leadership team real-time visibility into performance.

• Drive the operational readiness for new market launches, product releases, and commercial partnerships.

• Identify systemic risks in operational processes and develop mitigation strategies before they affect customers or revenue.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 7+ years of experience in operations, with a meaningful portion in a consulting, advisory, or senior operator role within a marketplace, platform, or high-growth technology business.

• Proven track record of building and leading operational teams and delivering measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and scale.

• Strong process design instincts; able to map, diagnose, and redesign operational systems with an eye for both rigour and practicality.

• Data-driven approach to operations; comfortable defining metrics, building dashboards, and using data to drive decisions.

• Excellent leadership and people management skills, including performance management, team development, and hiring.

• Clear and direct communicator, able to engage operational teams and executive leadership with equal credibility.

• Prior experience in a marketplace or two-sided platform business is a strong advantage.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Base salary of £110,000 - £145,000, determined based on experience and scope.

• Meaningful equity participation at the Series B stage with standard vesting terms.

• Additional benefits, including private health cover, pension, and leave entitlement, are detailed as part of the full offer package.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this role, please create your profile at getnextstep.com https://getnextstep.com/candidate/landing?utm_medium=job-board&utm_source=job-board. Once your profile is complete, our matching system will evaluate your background against the role criteria and match you with the company if it's a strong fit. No cover letter required.

This role is listed by NextStep on behalf of our client. All applications are handled with confidentiality.