Group Operations Director
2 days ago
City of London
The role Every agency group needs a strong operating rhythm, the invisible system that keeps things running smart, fast, and profitably. At Common Thread Group, that rhythm already exists. The foundations are solid: working systems, reliable data, and a culture that values improvement. What we need now is a Group Operations Director who can refine, unify, and scale those foundations across four agencies. This is a roll-your-sleeves-up leadership role for someone who can turn insight into measurable improvement. You’ll connect finance, delivery, and people into one operating system that drives performance and frees the CEO to focus on growth. This role is designed to grow. As the group scales, the right person will naturally evolve toward a Chief Operating Officer position, shaping how our agencies run and perform at group level. Who we are We’re an independent agency group built for a fast-changing world. Our agencies share one goal: creating tangible results for clients through collaboration and curiosity. We work across brand, digital, and creative disciplines. From strategy to execution, our agencies deliver measurable impact, not marketing noise. You’ll join a small but ambitious group where clarity, pace, and progress matter more than hierarchy. Your charter Unify operations : Improve and standardise forecasting, resourcing, and project performance across agencies. Lead resourcing conversations : Balance capacity, reduce freelance reliance, and ensure teams are structured for profit and pace. Turn data into action : Use financial and operational insight to raise utilisation, recovery, and margin. Align systems : Make Streamtime and Xero speak the same language, producing accurate, actionable MI. Coach and challenge : Help senior practitioners build commercial confidence and accountability. Hold partners to account :– Work closely with the internal finance function and outsourced HR and IT partners, keeping them on track and ensuring issues get resolved quickly. Drive continuous improvement : Simplify processes, remove friction, and champion automation and AI to free people for higher-value work. Key responsibilities • Maintain and improve the group’s operating rhythm covering forecasting, resourcing, and performance review., • Lead monthly resourcing meetings and support hiring or freelance decisions with data-driven recommendations., • Translate MI from finance into operational actions that improve utilisation and margin., • Design and enforce SOPs for project setup, time tracking, resourcing, and approvals., • Oversee the Finance & Operations Accountant and manage external HR and IT relationships, ensuring consistent service and accountability., • Deliver measurable efficiency gains through better systems, automation, and data discipline. Who we think fits • 5+ years in operational or commercial management within an agency or professional-services environment., • Fluent in financial performance metrics — can read management accounts and act on them., • Confident “driver” who ensures internal and external teams deliver what they promise., • Experienced in project and resourcing tools such as Streamtime or Monday., • Comfortable leading change and introducing AI or automation where it improves efficiency., • Analytical, decisive, and credible — able to influence senior practitioners with evidence and clarity. Nice-to-haves • Have experience improving profitability across multiple business units or agencies., • Can turn complex data into stories people act on., • Have introduced automation or AI tools to save time or improve accuracy., • Enjoy refining what already works rather than building from scratch. What we offer • Salary band: £60,000 – £75,000 dependent on experience, • High-performing pension from Penfold, • Life cover, • Hybrid working pattern – 3 days in office minimum, • Flexible hours between 08:00–18:00, • Option of a 9-day working fortnight (compressed hours), • 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) increasing with service Why join us This is your chance to shape how a group of creative agencies works - to create the structure, rhythm, and systems that turn good performance into great. You’ll join a leadership team that values initiative, clear thinking, and measurable progress. Success means visible improvement in how people plan, collaborate, and deliver. How to apply Upload your CV and a short note (no more than 250 words) explaining: • why you think you’d be a good fit for this role, and