Operations Director
Taunton
Senior Leadership | IFA / Wealth Management
£80k to £100k + excellent benefits
Hybrid working: 4 days in the office and 1 day working from home after the probation period. Initially, you will be required to be in the office 5 days per week.
Are you an Operations manager or Practice manager looking for a new opportunity? We’re working with a highly regarded Independent Financial Advisory firm with c. £600m AUM, strong links to a well‑known accountancy practice, and a reputation for delivering high‑quality, holistic financial planning. As the business continues to grow, they’re looking to appoint an Operations Director to help take the firm to the next level. Primary focus is on operations, administration, process improvement, and data/systems optimisation.
Please note this person MUST have extensive, direct experience within an IFA (Independent Financial Adviser) business.
The Opportunity of Operations Director:
This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role working closely with the Managing Director / CEO. You’ll have full responsibility for driving operational excellence across the business, ensuring the smooth, compliant, and efficient delivery of advice while supporting long‑term growth and scalability.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Develop and deliver operational strategy aligned to business goals
- Oversee day‑to‑day operations across administration, paraplanning, and client support
- Drive process improvement, efficiency, and cost optimisation
- Manage operational budgets and resources
People & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop operations teams
- Set KPIs and monitor performance
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training
- Foster a high‑performance, client‑centric, and compliant culture
Compliance & Risk
- Work closely with the Compliance Officer to ensure FCA compliance
- Maintain robust internal controls and procedures
- Oversee audit readiness and regulatory reporting
- Embed Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles across operations
Client Service & Experience
- Ensure a consistently high standard of client service
- Improve client journey and onboarding processes
- Manage escalated client issues or complaints
- Enable advisers to deliver efficient, compliant advice
Systems & Technology
- Ownership of CRM and operational systems (e.g. Intelliflo Office)
- Drive digital transformation and automation initiatives
- Ensure strong data integrity and MI
- Evaluate and implement new operational tools
Commercial & Strategic Support
- Monitor operational KPIs and MI
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement
- Support strategic growth initiatives (including scaling and acquisitions)
- Collaborate with finance on budgeting and forecasting
About You
Essential
- Significant experience within an IFA / wealth management environment
- Strong understanding of UK financial services regulation
- Proven senior leadership and people management experience
- In‑depth knowledge of operational workflows within advice firms
- Highly organised, commercially aware, and solutions‑focused
- Strong working experience with Intelliflo Office
- Demonstrable operational management and leadership experience within the financial planning sector.
- Strong competency in systems/process improvement, especially data and technology platforms relevant to IFAs.
- Hands-on management approach; must be willing and able to implement as well as lead.
Desirable
- Chartered status or relevant professional qualifications
- Experience with platforms such as Aviva, Quilter, or similar
- Exposure to process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.)