Strategic Execution & Leadership Support

• Act as a strategic member of the SLT; helping prioritise, structure, and track execution of key initiatives across the business

• Serve as a key liaison between the CEO and the Operations Team, ensuring alignment and momentum on business priorities

• Engage in quarterly and annual business planning cycles, bringing rigour and accountability to goal-setting and delivery

• Provide insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making and continuous operational improvement

• Translate board-level strategy into operational plans, KPIs, and delivery roadmaps that the whole business can execute against

Operations, HR & People

• Lead People Operations end-to-end: recruitment, onboarding (including SC/BPSS/VISA compliance where required), performance management, and people analytics

• Build and scale employee lifecycle processes that maintain cultural alignment and consistency as the business grows

• Lead annual performance and salary review cycles in partnership with Finance

• Support the development of a compelling employee value proposition and drive engagement across the team

• Oversee HR and operational processes — ensuring they remain fit for purpose and compliant at scale

• Collaborate with the Technology leaders to manage consultant utilisation, capacity planning, and career development pathways

Account Management & Sales

• Provide senior leadership of the Account Management and Sales functions, ensuring high-value client relationships are protected and grown

• Work with Account Managers to monitor client satisfaction, renewal rates, and expansion opportunities across the portfolio

• Support strategic account development and bid/tender processes to drive revenue growth

• Oversee consultant onboarding with clients and third-party systems (including SAP, Fieldglass, and TDS platforms)

• Collaborate with delivery teams to optimise consultant deployment, reduce bench time, and ensure smooth client escalations

Finance & Commercial Oversight

• Partner with the Finance Director to ensure robust financial planning, forecasting, and reporting

• Maintain a clear picture of revenue, margin, utilisation, and cash flow — and act decisively where required

• Oversee commercial governance across client contracts and resourcing to protect and grow profitability

• Support the CEO in board-level financial reporting as the business matures

Culture, Communications & Internal Engagement

• Lead TDS’s internal communications strategy, including company-wide updates and leadership messaging

• Plan and execute culture-building initiatives that reflect TDS’s team-first values

• Champion inclusivity, collaboration, and excellence at every level of the business

• Streamline and enhance internal systems and workflows to support growth, efficiency, and scalability

Experience & Background

• Proven track record in a COO, Operations Director, or senior strategy execution role — ideally within a technology consultancy or professional services environment

• Deep operational understanding of scaling consultancy or professional services businesses

• Strong commercial acumen with experience of P&L oversight, financial planning, and commercial negotiations

• Experienced in HR and People Operations including performance cycles, recruitment, employee engagement, and compliance

• Highly analytical and data-driven, with the ability to convert complex information into clear decisions and actions

Technical & Domain Knowledge

• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills — able to influence at SLT/board level and earn trust across every layer of the organisation

• Strong knowledge of organisational design, systems thinking, and process optimisation

• Familiarity with agile delivery models and tech-centric team structures

• Able to operate with clarity and urgency in complex, ambiguous environments

Leadership & Collaboration

• A natural collaborator who brings people with them and earns credibility across functions

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing senior teams

• Exceptional communicator — equally effective in board presentations and one-to-one conversations

• Willing to travel to Newcastle, Scotland, and other office locations as required

Desirable

• Background in or strong familiarity with software engineering, delivery, quality assurance, cloud and data services

• Experience within a utilisation-based or project-based consultancy model

• Working knowledge of ISO standards, security frameworks, and compliance practices (ISO 27001, GDPR)

• Exposure to international operations or experience supporting global expansion

• Experience mentoring or developing senior leaders and building high-performing leadership teams

Successful applicants to this role will receive all the benefits of working at TDS.

These include:

• Competitive Salary

• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

• Hybrid working and flexible working hours

• Contributory Pension Scheme & Salary Sacrifice

• Progression opportunities

• Discretionary Bonus Scheme

• BUPA Health & Dental care

• Perkbox Benefits & Discount Scheme

• City Centre Office Location

• Equipment provided

• Cycle to work scheme

• Monthly Social Events

• Company Away Weekend

• TDS Merchandise