Rodeo
Get started

Clipper Contracting Group Ltd

Head of Operations

Dorchester
Posted about 13 hours ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

A senior operational leadership role for someone who knows how to make things happen.

We are looking for an experienced Head of Operations to join our growing business and take overall ownership of operational performance across our umbrella payroll operation.

This is a senior leadership role, but it is not a role for someone who wants to sit at a distance from the operation. We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with strong operational delivery — someone who can understand the detail, identify what needs to change, and then drive that change through to completion.

You will have overall responsibility for our operational framework, working closely with and through our Operations Manager and Payroll Manager, while maintaining clear visibility and accountability across the operation.

You will be instrumental in ensuring that our processes, systems, people and controls are capable of delivering an exceptional service to our recruitment clients while supporting the continued growth of the business.

The Role

As Head of Operations, you will take ownership of the effective running and continuous improvement of our operational functions.

You will establish clear standards and accountability, monitor performance, identify operational challenges and ensure that improvements are implemented and embedded.

You will be equally comfortable discussing operational strategy with the Board as you are getting into the detail of a process, resolving a complex client issue, reviewing operational MI or working with our technology partner to improve a workflow.

Your key areas of responsibility will include:

  • Taking overall accountability for day-to-day operational performance across the business.
  • Leading and driving operational activity across the umbrella payroll value chain.
  • Managing and developing the Operations Manager and Payroll Manager, providing direction, challenge and support.
  • Owning key operational KPIs including onboarding, turnaround times, funding cycles, payroll performance, servicing and collections.
  • Identifying operational weaknesses, bottlenecks and inefficiencies and driving practical solutions through to implementation.
  • Designing and embedding improved processes, systems and ways of working to support scale and growth.
  • Developing and maintaining robust SOPs, controls and operational standards.
  • Leading continuous improvement and automation initiatives.
  • Working with our outsourced technology partner, Vocala, to develop and enhance our worker CRM, including scoping, testing and implementing improvements.
  • Taking senior ownership of complex operational issues, escalations and client matters.
  • Ensuring complaints are appropriately managed, investigated and resolved within regulatory timeframes.
  • Maintaining strong operational controls and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
  • Building a high-performing, accountable and customer-focused operational culture.
  • Working with HR and departmental managers to develop capability, training and performance across the operational teams.
  • Supporting the Board and senior leadership team with operational insight, MI, risk identification and recommendations.
  • Ensuring the operational model is capable of supporting future growth, new products and new markets.

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an operational leader who combines commercial awareness, technical understanding and a genuine appetite for delivery.

You will ideally have:

  • Significant senior operational management experience within umbrella payroll, payroll, recruitment services, invoice financing or a closely related environment.
  • A strong understanding of the operational requirements of an umbrella payroll business and the recruitment sector.
  • Experience managing managers and leading operational teams.
  • A proven track record of improving processes, systems and operational performance.
  • Strong knowledge of operational controls, compliance and risk management.
  • Experience using data and KPIs to identify issues and drive performance.
  • Experience implementing new systems, technology, automation or process improvements.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to get to the root cause of operational issues.
  • Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with Directors, managers, employees, clients and external partners.
  • The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

Most importantly, you will be someone who takes ownership. You won't simply identify a problem and recommend a solution; you will be comfortable taking responsibility for getting the right people around the table, driving the solution forward and ensuring the improvement is embedded.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join a growing business at an exciting stage of its development, having recently gone through a transition to being employee-owned. Being two years into this process, you will have a genuine influence on how the operation evolves, with a view that in a few years, the proceeds of the business will be shared amongst the beneficiaries.

You will have significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape our processes, systems, team structure and operational culture as we scale.

The role will suit someone who enjoys making a tangible difference — someone curious who can move comfortably between the strategic and the operational and who takes pride in building an operation that is efficient, controlled, scalable and delivers an excellent client experience.

Relocation

For the right candidate, particularly someone with strong operational experience within the umbrella payroll sector, we would be prepared to consider a relocation package.

If you have the relevant sector experience but are currently based outside the area, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

Apply

If you are an experienced operational leader who understands the complexities of umbrella payroll and is looking for a role where you can lead, improve and make things happen, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV along with a brief overview of your experience and why this opportunity interests you.

Clipper Contracting Group is an equal opportunities employer.

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Location

Dorchester, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this