Operations Manager (6 month FTC)

This role is hybrid 2-3 days in the office each week and can be based in any of our regional offices with the exception of London. The successful candidate will provide high-quality, consistent operational performance across all service lines, supported by a strong control environment with clear risk ownership and prompt issue resolution. It focuses on ensuring efficient, compliant, and client-friendly onboarding and lifecycle processes, while strengthening operational resilience and supplier governance. A key part of the remit includes providing clear, trusted operational reporting for senior management and regulators, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the organisation. There will be a focus on three core priorities:

• Supporting the delivery of a defined firmwide operational programme, including planning, governance, and progress tracking.
• Supporting the design, enhancement, and implementation of the firm's Target Operating Model.
• Supporting the development and embedding of a consistent set of operational KPIs.
Role and Responsibilities Support the Head of Strategy Execution in delivering a firmwide operations programme, including planning, governance, and progress tracking. Coordinate activity across service lines and central functions, maintaining oversight of dependencies, risks, and milestones. Maintain programme documentation, actions, and decision logs; prepare concise progress updates for senior stakeholders. Act as a point of integration between operations, technology, risk, and finance activities to support joined-up delivery. Firmwide Operating Model & Ways of Working Support the definition and refinement of clear, consistent ways of working across the firm's operations. Help clarify roles, responsibilities, and interfaces between Group, service lines, and enabling functions. Support the establishment of effective governance, decision-making, and escalation arrangements. Work with colleagues across Operations, Technology, Risk, and Finance to ensure operational processes, controls, and reporting are well aligned and scalable. Support service lines in embedding agreed operational standards in a way that maintains continuity of client delivery. Performance Measurement, KPIs & Management Information Support the development and implementation of a firmwide operational KPI framework aligned to strategic priorities. Help define consistent measures, data ownership, and reporting cadence across service lines. Support the production of clear, executive-level dashboards and MI for ExCo and Board reporting. Help embed performance measures into business- as-usual forums, enabling proactive management rather than retrospective reporting.
Experience in operations management within a professional services or regulated environment. Strong understanding of operational risk, controls, and regulatory expectations (FCA/PRA preferred). Proven ability to manage complex operational services, suppliers, and change initiatives. Experience working closely with Risk, Compliance, Finance, and Technology teams. Skills & Capabilities Strong operational judgement with a control-first mindset. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Strong organisational, governance, and documentation capabilities. Analytical mindset with experience producing clear operational MI for senior leadership. Ability to balance day-to-day operational delivery with longer-term improvement and transformation. Comfortable working in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder professional services environment., Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Demonstrated Commitment to our Core Purpose Power in Partnership
We recognise that pensions is a people business. People are the source of Isio's expertise and it is people's lives that we affect through our advice., Isio was 'born' in 2020 from the sale of KPMG UK's Pension Practice to a private equity firm. An industry-leading challenger, we provide diverse expertise spanning Pensions, Investment, Benefits and Wealth to give clients an integrated experience. Isio is built by challengers, innovators and forward-thinkers, grounded around a vision which strives to deliver greater financial confidence for everyone. We empower and develop those who join us - valuing curious minds and giving people the freedom to outperform. Known and respected for our agility, we harness specialist experience, bold thinking and the desire to push the boundaries of what we can achieve for our clients, from small to blue chip, public to private. At Isio, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace, in which our colleagues feel they belong, regardless of background or difference. We uphold the values of respect, fairness, and inclusion in our actions and decisions. We believe that by adhering to these principles, we will create a stronger, more innovative, and supportive environment for all, as well as ensuring that the advice and support we provide to our clients is more creative, more insightful and leaves a lasting impact. We have offices across the UK and many of our roles offer a hybrid, flexible approach to work to help create a work-life balance that works for you. Isio Group is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.