Head of Operations
Ask a hundred companies what their head of operations does and you’ll get a hundred answers. And that’s a clue to what the role entails – it’s a job that’s focused on a specific area with the intention of making it run to the board’s aims, i.e. with maximum productivity, efficiency, compliance and performance.
Often, the operations head will have a slightly different title, such as head of HR operations or head of IT operations, as the generic title would not accurately describe the day to day tasks of the role. Essentially, though, you are overseeing the way a particular process, or a range of interconnected processes, work, and ensuring they operate smoothly within the context of the business.
The head of operations slots into the corporate infrastructure below board level, but there will be crucial managerial responsibilities, and the larger the company, the more vital and pressurised your decisions and management will be.
The skills required
Needless to say, there are a lot of skills that are transferable between head of operations jobs in different companies, such as the ability to manage large and complex teams, to interpret strategic aims and convert them into actionable plans, and to report back to the board accurately, candidly and clearly.
It’s likely that the core functions of the business will rest on your shoulders, so this isn’t a role for the indecisive or the weak-hearted, but nor is it a position that suits risk-takers, as everything you do should be planned and justified. Overseeing operations will naturally require excellent communication skills and an ability to delegate and trust subordinates appropriately.
Head of Operations Jobs in Dorset
An English county in the south-west, Dorset shares borders with Devon, Wiltshire and Somerset - it also has an extensive coastline along the English Channel.
Dorset includes a number of towns - like Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth - and while the majority of the region is rural, it offers a number of options for those seeking Head of Operations vacancies.
For much of Dorset's past, the economy was based on agriculture, while mining and fishing were also important industries.
These days, however, things are a bit different in Dorset and the region now relies mainly on the service sector, hospitality and retail. Construction and manufacturing are also important industries, while a number of armed forces facilities are also located here - such as the Royal Armoured Corps in Bovington and the Royal Marines in Poole.
Several large companies can be found in Dorset, including J.P. Morgan and Sunseeker International, which manufactures yachts. Aerospace companies like BAE Systems and Cobham plc have facilities in the region, while Bournemouth University is also a big employer.
Other companies include Dorset Cereals, Fitness First, Merlin Entertainments, Lloyds TSB Insurance and Imagine Publishing.
Popular locations
Find heads of operations at Cast UK
Your business depends on finding the absolute best people to head up your operations, so you need to cast your net widely to ensure you’ve explored all options. That’s why partnering with Cast UK as your recruitment consultancy makes perfect sense. We deal with professional level level talent, delivering excellent interview-ready shortlists to businesses of all sizes and types. Call 0333 121 3345 to talk to a cons today.
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