Group Operations Director

Group Operations DirectorCYFOR Group | Executive Board Appointment

Location: UKReporting to: Group CEOPosition: Full-time | Executive Leadership TeamAn exceptional opportunity to shape the next chapter of CYFOR GroupWith 25 years of successful organic growth, CYFOR has built an established and respected business operating in the digital forensics, eDiscovery and cyber security services sectors.Our success has been built on specialist expertise, exceptional client service, an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to delivering when it matters most.As we prepare for our next ambitious growth phase, we are strengthening our executive leadership team and investing in the operational foundations that will enable us to scale.We are seeking an outstanding Group Operations Director to join our Executive Board and play a pivotal role in shaping our future.This is an opportunity for an experienced operational leader to make a lasting impact, helping an established business become more scalable, process-driven and high-performing.The opportunityAs Group Operations Director, you will take executive responsibility for operational performance, delivery effectiveness and continuous improvement across CYFOR Group.Working closely with the CEO and fellow Board members, you will translate our growth ambitions into the structures, processes, systems and capabilities to deliver them.We operate in a demanding, high-volume, deadline-driven environment, where specialist consulting teams manage multiple client engagements, competing priorities and complex workflows.We need someone who understands this environment and can make it work exceptionally well.You will bring operational discipline, visibility, accountability and consistency to a business built on expertise, agility and entrepreneurial drive.You will introduce greater structure and rigour without unnecessary bureaucracy or slowing the business.This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role.

You will contribute to Board decisions, develop operational strategy, and work with delivery teams to understand and improve day-to-day operations.Key responsibilities1. Executive leadership and growth strategyServe as a key member of the Executive Board, contributing to Group strategy, business planning and major investment decisions.Partner with the CEO and leadership team to develop and execute the operational strategy for the next phase of growth.Build an operational model supporting increasing client demand, service diversification and organisational complexity.Establish the leadership structures, management disciplines and accountability required for a growing, multi-service business.Act as a trusted executive partner, combining strategic thinking with practical operational delivery.2. Operational excellence and process improvementLead the development of consistent, scalable and effective operating processes across the Group.Optimise the client delivery lifecycle, from engagement and resource allocation through to project completion.Identify and remove operational bottlenecks, inefficiencies, duplicated activity and unnecessary complexity.Introduce clear operating standards, governance, performance measures and continuous improvement disciplines.Embed operational excellence in everyday practice, reducing reliance on individual effort.Balance process consistency with the flexibility needed in specialist consulting and technical delivery.3. Consulting operations and resource managementOversee operational effectiveness across high-volume, project-based consulting and technical service teams.Establish robust resource planning, capacity management, scheduling and workflow prioritisation processes.Improve visibility of workloads, delivery commitments, resource utilisation and operational constraints.Ensure teams are structured, supported and equipped to deliver consistently excellent client service.Work closely with consulting and technical leaders to improve productivity, responsiveness and delivery predictability.Develop operational capability to handle increasing volumes without proportionate increases in overhead or complexity.4. Performance management and commercial effectivenessEstablish a clear framework of operational KPIs, management information and executive reporting.Drive improvements in productivity, utilisation, project delivery performance and operational efficiency.Partner with finance and commercial leaders to improve visibility of delivery economics, profitability and resource costs.Introduce effective forecasting and planning to support proactive decisions.Align operational decisions with commercial performance, client satisfaction and long-term growth.Create a culture of ownership, accountability and measurable performance.5. Systems, technology and scalabilityAssess operational systems, platforms and tools and identify improvements.Champion the intelligent use of automation, workflow technology, data and AI to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency.Ensure that operational systems provide accurate, timely and actionable information.Support the development of an integrated, scalable operational infrastructure.Lead change programmes to improve efficiency, visibility and client experience.6. People leadership and organisational developmentLead, develop and strengthen operational management capability across the Group.Build high-performing teams with clear responsibilities, strong leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.Collaborate with specialist consulting leaders, respecting professional expertise and client relationships.Develop succession planning, management capability and organisational resilience.Lead operational change with credibility, clarity and empathy, securing engagement from teams at every level.Preserve the agility, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit that have contributed to CYFOR's success.About youWe seek a proven senior operational leader who has made a growing business more structured, scalable and commercially effective.You will bring significant experience of leading operations within a consulting, professional services, technology services or other project-based business, ideally with high client volumes, specialist delivery teams and demanding service expectations.You will understand the complexity of managing people, capacity, workflows and profitability where the product is primarily highly skilled professionals' expertise and output.You will bring executive credibility and the energy and curiosity to understand the detail and deliver.Essential experience and capabilitiesSenior operational leadership experience, ideally as Operations Director, COO or equivalent.A strong track record in consulting, technology or professional services, or a comparable project-led business.Experience introducing operational structure, process discipline and management rigour into a growing business.Experience leading complex, high-volume workflows across teams, clients, projects and competing deadlines.Proven success in improving resource utilisation, capacity planning, productivity and operational performance.Strong commercial understanding of operational efficiency, service delivery and profitability.Experience designing and implementing operational KPIs, reporting and performance frameworks.Success leading organisational change and gaining buy-in from skilled specialist teams.Confidence operating at Board level and contributing to strategic business decisions.Long-term strategic thinking combined with practical, hands-on execution.Personal attributesA builder, not simply a manager. You enjoy building systems, structures and capabilities for growth.Commercially astute. You link operational performance to stronger margins, client outcomes and sustainable growth.Structured and analytical. You use data, process and sound judgement to clarify complexity and improve decisions.Pragmatic and action-oriented. You favour practical results over process for its own sake.Collaborative and credible. You build trust with technical specialists, consulting leaders and executive colleagues.Comfortable with change. You thrive in ambitious, evolving businesses and know how to bring people with you.Entrepreneurial in mindset. You understand what makes founder-led or organically grown businesses special and can professionalise operations while preserving it.What success looks likeWithin 12–24 months, you will have measurably improved the Group's operational capability.This will include:A clearly defined, scalable Group operating model.Greater visibility and control of workloads, resource capacity and delivery performance.Consistent operational processes and management disciplines across the business.Improved productivity, utilisation, delivery efficiency and commercial performance.Stronger operational leadership and clearer accountability.More effective systems, reporting and management information.An organisation equipped for accelerated growth while maintaining exceptional client service.Success means an operational platform enabling CYFOR Group to grow faster, perform consistently and operate with greater confidence and control.Why join CYFOR Group?Join a successful, established business at a defining point in its evolution.CYFOR Group's 25 years of organic growth have built specialist capability, client relationships and a strong reputation.We are preparing to build a larger, stronger and more scalable business.As Group Operations Director, you will:Join the Executive Board and influence the strategic direction of the Group.Play a key role in shaping the next phase of our growth.Build operational infrastructure for an ambitious, expanding business.Work with experienced leaders and skilled specialists.Deliver visible improvements that directly influence the business's future success.We seek someone who has helped businesses scale and is excited to do it again.This role goes beyond maintaining what exists. It is an opportunity to help build what comes next.