Head of Operations & Value Creation
Salary: Competitive + Bonus
Location: London
WW16100
Finatal are partnering with an exciting family office investing in UK-based SMEs who are seeking to appoint a Head of Operations & Value Creation to work directly alongside the owners and drive operational excellence across the group.
This is a highly visible and impactful role focused on portfolio value creation, operational improvement and strategic execution. The successful candidate will work closely with management teams across multiple businesses, helping to identify opportunities for growth, improve performance and implement meaningful change.
The position offers significant autonomy and responsibility, making it an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial and hands-on operator who thrives in dynamic SME environments and enjoys turning strategy into action.
Responsibilities
- Partner with portfolio company leadership teams to identify and deliver operational improvement initiatives
- Lead value creation programmes across multiple businesses, driving profitability, cash generation and operational efficiency
- Develop and implement performance measurement frameworks, dashboards and KPI reporting
- Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes across portfolio companies
- Analyse financial and operational performance, identifying trends, risks and improvement opportunities
- Work closely with management teams to implement strategic projects and operational best practices
- Support the adoption of new technologies, systems and processes to enhance business performance
- Navigate complex SME environments and effectively prioritise high-impact initiatives
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders and provide support on key operational decisions
- Contribute to strategic planning and business growth initiatives across the portfolio
- Assist with transaction and due diligence activities where required
- Act as a trusted partner to the owners, supporting both day-to-day operational matters and longer-term strategic priorities
Requirements
- Demonstrable experience delivering operational improvement and value creation initiatives within SMEs, private equity-backed businesses or similar environments
- Strong understanding of operational best practices across a range of sectors
- Excellent analytical capabilities with experience building and presenting KPI dashboards and management information
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and accounting knowledge
- Ability to operate effectively within fast-paced and often ambiguous environments
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the emotional intelligence to influence and support management teams
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong bias towards action and problem-solving
- ACA or equivalent professional qualification required
- Exposure to M&A transactions and due diligence processes advantageous but not essential
- Comfortable taking ownership and working with a high degree of autonomy
Personal Attributes
- Curious and intellectually engaged
- Humble and collaborative in approach
- Resilient and adaptable
- Flexible and comfortable operating in changing environments
- Hands-on, proactive and solutions-oriented
Opportunity
- Competitive salary and performance-related bonus
- Significant exposure to business owners, senior executives and portfolio leadership teams
- Opportunity to influence strategy and operational decision-making across a growing portfolio
- London-based office with portfolio companies located primarily across the South East
- Long-term career development potential within a highly entrepreneurial investment environment
- Opportunity to play a key role in building and growing exceptional UK businesses