SmartPA
Service Delivery Lead

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Job Description
This role leads the operations behind one of our biggest client accounts, working in close partnership with the Key Account Manager. You'll own how the account runs day to day, so the Key Account Manager can focus on commercial strategy and client growth.
Your job is to keep the whole account running smoothly and to keep making it better. You'll spot where processes are slowing the team down and fix them, and you'll find the places where automation or AI could make the work faster and more reliable. You won't build the automations yourself — but you'll understand what's possible, and brief our technical teams clearly so they can build it.
You'll work day to day with our Automation, Quality Assurance (QA) and Pod Lead teams, keep a close eye on how the account is performing, and act as a confident, senior point of contact for the client.
This suits someone who enjoys leading in a fast-paced environment, is comfortable across multiple systems, and takes real ownership of delivering to a consistently high standard.
Acknowledgement of marketing statement
Key Responsibilities and Skills
Operational Leadership
- Keep an overall view of how the account runs, and lead its day-to-day delivery
- Work with the QA, Automation and Pod Lead teams to find what's slowing things down and fix it
- Make sure work is delivered accurately, efficiently and in line with agreed service levels (SLAs)
Innovation, Automation & AI
- Spot where automation or AI could save time or improve quality
- Brief our technical automation and AI teams clearly on what's needed, and see it through
Data, Reporting & Risk
- Work with the Key Account Manager to read the account's performance data, share what's going well, and flag risks early — before they reach the client
Change & Rollouts
- Lead the rollout of new tools and ways of working, supporting the team through the change so it sticks
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a senior point of contact for the client alongside the Key Account Manager
- Run welcome meetings for new users, hold regular check-in calls, and present results and insights to senior client contacts
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.
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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.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour 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 breakdownIt 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.
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.
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.
Skills
An experienced, highly organised operations professional who enjoys leading a team and bringing structure to complex, cross-functional work. You take pride in delivering to a high standard, building strong relationships, and finding smarter ways of working.
You'll thrive in this role if you:
- Lead calmly and confidently in a fast-paced environment
- Are a natural people person who builds trust easily across teams and with clients
- Enjoy spotting friction between teams and smoothing it out
- Have a sharp eye for detail — you notice when the data doesn't add up and dig into why
- Can translate the technical into the practical — for your own team or a senior client
- Already use AI tools in your own work and can see where they'd help a whole team
Experience
We hire for mindset as much as background — a strong sense of ownership and a growth mindset go a long way.
Essential
- 5+ years leading and developing teams in a corporate environment, with a track record of building strong, collaborative teams
- Excellent communication and presentation skills — confident leading meetings and presenting to senior client stakeholders
- A solid understanding of what automation and AI can do for operational efficiency, and the ability to brief a technical team to deliver it
- Hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g. Gemini) in your own day-to-day work
- Strong data literacy with a keen eye for accuracy — able to read dashboards and reports, spot inaccuracies and inconsistencies, pull out useful insights, and flag risks early
- Confident coordinating teams across functions (and time zones), largely online, without relying on constant live meetings
- Confident using Google Workspace
Desirable
- Experience in, or working alongside, high-growth tech companies
- Experience in global or matrixed organisations across multiple time zones
- Experience leading change management and the rollout of new tools or processes
Work Remotely
Yes, however, occasional travel to London and/or Edinburgh for team and client sessions (roughly once a month)


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Salary
Schedule
Monday-Friday, 9am-5.30pm
Job Type
Full-time, permanent
What's in it for you?
We're ambitious about where we're going, and we're looking for people who want to grow with us. As part of your package you can expect:
- Competitive salary
- 33 days' holiday
- Flexitime (core hours 10:00–16:30)
- Hybrid (Edinburgh) or fully remote (UK)
- Ongoing development and career opportunities
- Department incentives
- Employee Assistance Programme (including counselling, finance and legal support)
- A positive, people-first culture
How did you hear about this vacancy?
How to Apply
Please submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining how your skills, experience and achievements align with the requirements of the role.
Throughout the recruitment process, we will assess candidates against the key competencies and responsibilities outlined in the job profile.
The selection process consists of two interview stages and skills testing.
About us
SmartPA delivers world-class, human-centred, tech-enabled PA and business support to organisations of all sizes across the globe.
By combining smart systems, streamlined processes and exceptional people, we help our clients accelerate their growth and scaling plans. From ambitious SMBs to global corporations, our client portfolio has included organisations such as Google, Clarion Events, BBC and Krispy Kreme, all of whom rely on us as a trusted extension of their teams.
We pride ourselves on delivering a service that is professional, proactive and dependable — but what truly sets us apart is our people. Our team is ambitious, supportive and passionate about what we do, and many of our colleagues have built long-term careers with us from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
As a female-founded business built on collaboration, trust and shared success, we champion career development, flexible working and meaningful progression. We believe in creating an environment where people feel supported, valued and empowered to grow.
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Skills