Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (Hybrid)
Test Driven Solutions (TDS) partners with organisations worldwide to deliver software excellence — spanning Engineering, Quality, Cloud, Data, Delivery, and User‑centred Design. With international growth accelerating and our service lines expanding, we’re hiring a Chief Operating Officer — a strategic operator who will sit at the heart of the Senior Leadership Team and be accountable for how well the business runs.
This is a pivotal hire. As COO, you will have direct leadership of three critical functions — Operations, Account Management, and Sales — creating the infrastructure that lets our consultants do their best work and our clients receive an exceptional service.
You will be equally comfortable in the detail — workforce planning, compliance, resourcing — and the strategic — shaping the operating model as TDS grows, internationalises, and diversifies. The right person will act as a true strategic partner to the CEO, bringing clarity, structure, and urgency to complex challenges while championing a high‑performance, high‑integrity culture that scales with the business.
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‑on‑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
Benefits
- 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
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