Fitpoint Talent Solutions
Chief Operating Officer – Education, EdTech & AI Transformation
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Lead the operating transformation behind the future of learning
FitPoint Talent is seeking an accomplished, commercially minded Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operational strategy, business transformation and responsible AI adoption across a growing education and learning-technology organisation.
This is a senior executive leadership opportunity for a proven COO, Operations Director, VP Operations, Managing Director, Transformation Director or General Manager who can translate growth strategy into scalable operating performance.
You will lead the operating model, strategic operations, digital transformation, AI transformation, programme delivery and performance management needed to build a high-quality, data-driven education platform. Your work will improve learner experience, educator effectiveness, service delivery, commercial discipline and organisational readiness for UK and international growth.
Working across Operations, General Management, Engineering and Project Delivery, Technology, Data, Product, Finance, Commercial, Marketing and Education Delivery, you will connect people, process, platforms and performance insight to create measurable outcomes.
The Challenge You Will Help Solve
Education providers and EdTech businesses need to improve learner outcomes while scaling consistently, strengthening customer experience, modernising systems and adopting AI safely. This role will help ensure that technology, automation, data analytics and operational excellence deliver practical value, not simply innovation activity.
You will build the structures, governance, teams and delivery disciplines that enable a global education network to grow with quality, resilience and financial control.
What You Will Be Trusted To Do
- Lead enterprise operational strategy, operating-model design and execution across education operations, learner experience and enabling functions.
- Convert business strategy into clear operational plans, transformation roadmaps, KPIs, OKRs, governance, accountability and measurable benefits realisation.
- Drive business transformation, digital transformation, AI transformation, automation and process optimisation across learner services, tutoring, curriculum delivery, customer operations and internal workflows.
- Design and implement scalable AI-enabled learning, tutoring, workflow and data solutions that improve learner outcomes, efficiency, quality and service performance.
- Lead cross-functional programme delivery across operations, education, EdTech, product, technology, engineering, data, finance, commercial and marketing teams.
- Establish robust operating rhythms, executive dashboards, management information, business intelligence, learning analytics and performance reporting.
- Use data analytics, predictive insight and operational KPIs to improve capacity planning, resource allocation, learner retention, service quality, customer satisfaction and delivery efficiency.
- Build effective governance for responsible AI, data governance, data quality, GDPR, information security, risk management, supplier management and operational resilience.
- Lead change management and organisational development activity, creating clarity, ownership, adoption and accountability during periods of scaling, systems change and transformation.
- Develop and lead high-performing senior operational teams, strengthening leadership capability, succession planning, continuous improvement and delivery culture.
- Own or materially influence budgeting, resource planning, financial performance, commercial operations and P&L management, where these responsibilities are confirmed within the role remit.
- Support international expansion, strategic partnerships, operational due diligence, systems integration, M&A integration and post-merger integration activity where relevant.
- Partner with the CEO, executive leadership team, board-level stakeholders, education leaders, technology partners and investors on operational priorities and growth readiness.
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What Success Looks Like
- A scalable operating model that supports sustainable UK and international growth.
- Improved learner experience, learner outcomes, educator productivity, customer satisfaction and service quality.
- AI, automation and digital-platform initiatives that produce measurable improvements in operational efficiency, insight and learning delivery.
- Clear executive reporting, stronger KPI management, reliable data and better decision-making across the organisation.
- Improved cost control, resource utilisation, capacity planning, supplier performance and P&L discipline where applicable.
- Consistent programme management, project delivery, change adoption and cross-functional execution.
- Stronger governance across data, AI, risk, quality, compliance and operational resilience.
What We Are Looking For
You will bring substantial senior leadership experience in operations, general management, transformation, complex service delivery, technology-enabled operations or multi-site and networked businesses.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Senior leadership experience as a COO, Operations Director, VP Operations, Managing Director, Transformation Director, Strategy Director, Head of Operations or General Manager.
- Proven delivery of strategic operations, operational excellence, business transformation, digital transformation, organisational change or large-scale transformation programmes.
- Experience scaling operating models, service delivery, shared services, multi-site operations, network operations, partner operations or enterprise platforms.
- Strong knowledge of AI adoption, generative AI, automation, digital platforms, data operations, analytics and technology-enabled transformation.
- Experience leading change management, stakeholder management, programme management, project delivery, process improvement and continuous improvement.
- Commercial and financial capability, including budget management, forecasting, resource planning, supplier management, cost optimisation and P&L accountability where relevant.
- Strong leadership, people management, executive communication and cross-functional team leadership skills.
- Experience creating KPI frameworks, dashboards, management information, business intelligence and data-led performance management.
- Practical understanding of data governance, data protection, GDPR, information security, risk management and responsible AI governance.
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Highly Relevant Transferable Backgrounds
Candidates may come from education or adjacent complex, technology-led operating environments. Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Education, EdTech, learning technology, digital learning, online learning, tutoring, learner services, training, skills, higher education, further education, schools, academy groups or professional education.
- Information Technology and Services, SaaS, technology services, managed services, digital platforms, cloud operations, data-centre operations, infrastructure operations or IT transformation.
- Telecommunications, telecoms operations, network operations, connectivity, service assurance, engineering operations, technical programme delivery or large-scale customer operations.
- Renewables and Environment, energy infrastructure, utilities, engineering project delivery, asset-intensive operations, field operations, capital programmes or regulated service environments.
- M&A integration, post-merger integration, systems integration, operating-model redesign, transformation PMO, operational due diligence or international expansion.
Equivalent experience will be considered where it demonstrates the ability to lead complex operations, scale systems and teams, deliver technology-enabled change and create measurable commercial or service outcomes.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to shape the operating foundation of a mission-driven education organisation at a pivotal stage of growth. You will combine executive operations leadership with AI-enabled innovation, data-led decision-making and human-centred learning impact.
You will have the scope to improve how education is delivered, measured and scaled—building stronger systems, more capable teams and a more resilient operating model for learners, educators, partners and the business.
How to Apply
Apply through LinkedIn Easy Apply with your profile updated outlining your experience in operational leadership, transformation, scaling, AI-enabled change and technology-led service delivery.
Please do not submit bank details, identity documents, right-to-work documents or payroll information at application stage. Sensitive information will only be requested at the appropriate stage and where legally required.
FitPoint Talent is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. Selection is based on role-related skills, experience, qualifications and the ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.
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