Role Description

POSITION:  Managing Director of Operations

REPORTING TO: CEO

DIRECT REPORTS: 4 (Directors of Finance, People & Talent, Tech & Data; and Head of Planning & PMO).  

DIRECTORATE: c30 FTE covering these functions: Finance, Compliance, Procurement, People & Talent, Technology, Data, Facilities, Corporate Governance, Planning & PMO.

Purpose of role

The Managing Director leads all the operational teams that enable London & Partners to be a high-performing organisation delivering excellent value for taxpayers and its partners. This includes the Finance, People & Talent, Technology & Data and Planning & PMO teams.

The Managing Director ensures that London & Partners has the appropriate governance for a social enterprise that is funded by a mixture of grants, paid services and commercial ventures.

The Managing Director will play a critical role in delivering London & Partners’ new three-year strategy (2025/6 – 2027/8). They will create a new Technology & Data team and strategy; lead the move to a new HQ location; and lead teams to upgrade the People & Talent, Finance and Planning & PMO functions.

The MD Operations is a member of the Management Committee of London & Partners, which together with the CEO, is responsible for the overall direction, performance and culture of the organisation. MD Operations is an Executive Director on the Board of London & Partners.

Key Tasks

Corporate Leadership

  • With the CEO and colleagues on the Management Committee: set the overall direction of London & Partners, ensure that it meets its objectives, manage its corporate reputation and culture, and ensure high levels of staff engagement.
  • Be a proactive member of the Management Committee and Senior Leadership Team. Provide constructive and critical challenge that improves the quality of discussions and decisions. Support colleagues to resolve issues and uphold collective decisions. Shape and uphold London & Partners’ values and role model behaviour for a mission-driven organisation.
  • Lead the annual Business Planning process and quarterly review cycle, working closely with the CEO, Management Committee, Finance Director and Head of Planning & PMO.
  • Act as an ambassador for London & Partners, communicating the mission, impact and values of London & Partners. Build and maintain a strong network of key stakeholders including senior leaders in the Greater London Authority, the landlord and key external suppliers.

Team Leadership

  • Lead the Operations and Governance directorate: inspire the teams by connecting what they do to London & Partners’ mission, set clear direction and accountability, ensure high performance.
  • Recruit and retain a high-performing team which lives London & Partners values and reflects the diversity of the city.
  • With the CEO, agree a set of objectives, KPIs and targets for the Operations & Governance directorate. Lead the teams to ensure that these targets are met.
  • Support direct reports in their professional growth and development. Ensure that managers in the Directorate are supporting the growth of their teams.

Finance

  • With the Finance Director (direct report), set the Finance strategy for London & Partners and have clear metrics for success.
  • With the Finance Director, set the business plan and budget for Operations & Governance directorate, ensure budget responsibility and accountability.
  • Ensure that the Finance team delivers a high-quality service for the organisation, including management information to support decision-making and efficient systems for all staff financial transactions and reporting.
  • With Finance Director, take responsibility for monitoring the financial sustainability of the organisation, robust checks and balances, and a successful external audit.

People & Talent

  • With the Director of People & Talent (direct report), set the People & Talent strategy for London & Partners and have clear metrics for success.
  • Ensure that the People & Talent team delivers a high-quality service for the organisation, including for teams based outside the UK
  • Lead London & Partners’ efforts to be a leading employer for diversity and inclusion, with a workforce that reflects the city we represent.
  • Ensure that the work of the People & Talent team supports and aligns to organisational culture.

Technology & Data

  • With the Director of Technology & Data (direct report) and other key members of the Senior Leadership Team (particularly Director of Digital Services), set a technology and data strategy and lead the teams to implement it.
  • With colleagues across Senior Leadership Team, create a culture of continuous innovation so that London & Partners can adopt the technology which helps to achieve the mission.
  • Ensure that the Technology & Data teams provide a high quality, responsive service, including for teams based outside the UK.
  • Ensure that the organisation is appropriately protected and prepared to deal with cybersecurity risk.
  • Ensure that the procurement and management of external technology suppliers provides value for money and high-quality service.

Governance and Decision-Making

  • Ensure that London and Partners has a robust governance framework and methodology. Ensure that London & Partners has appropriate transparency and audit arrangements.
  • Ensure that the Board can perform its functions effectively. Lead the Board secretariat function. With the Chair of Nominations Committee, ensure that the Board has the skills and expertise to oversee London & Partners effectively, and that it reflects the diversity of London.
  • Lead the governance relationship with the Greater London Authority, working closely with the Managing Director – Strategy who leads the policy relationship.
  • Ensure that London & Partners has effective processes and tools for making and recording decisions and managing programmes and projects.
  • Fulfil all obligations and responsibilities as an Executive Director of London & Partners Ltd.

Premises and Sustainability

  • Ensure that London & Partners has premises – both in London and internationally – that are fit for purpose and help to deliver the mission. This includes moving to new London premises in 2026.
  • Lead on London & Partners’ environmental sustainability, including monitoring and reporting on its Net Zero commitment.