Head of Operations - #2122598

City + Capital are currently representing a highly respected and growing specialist property finance lender who have retained our services to appoint a senior and commercially minded Head of Operations.

This is a high-impact appointment at an important stage of the lender’s continued development. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the successful individual will take ownership of the day-to-day

operational framework of the business and play a major role in shaping the systems, processes and controls required to support future growth.

The Company

Our client is an established specialist property finance lender operating within the UK market, providing tailored funding solutions across specialist real estate finance.

The business has developed a strong reputation within its market and is continuing to invest in the infrastructure, systems and operational disciplines required to support its next phase of growth.

Operating with a compact and highly experienced team, the business maintains an entrepreneurial environment where senior individuals have genuine visibility and influence over how the company develops.

This newly created Head of Operations position is therefore a central appointment, designed to bring greater structure, accountability and consistency across an evolving lending platform.

Role Overview

The Head of Operations will take responsibility for the effective day-to-day operation and continued development of the business, ensuring appropriate processes, policies, governance frameworks and controls are embedded throughout the organisation.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will operate as a key conduit between sales, credit, risk, finance and senior management, helping ensure each area remains aligned operationally and commercially.

You will take ownership of operational and compliance-led responsibilities currently shared across senior stakeholders, including regulatory reporting, regulated lending processes, management information and operational governance.

Alongside maintaining strong controls, you will be expected to identify opportunities to streamline processes, develop systems and improve operational efficiency as the lender continues to scale.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and continuously improve operational processes, systems and controls.
• Ensure the business meets relevant regulatory, legal and internal governance requirements.
• Maintain and develop operational policies and procedures.
• Coordinate activity across sales, credit, risk, finance and senior management.
• Manage FCA reporting requirements and support reporting to the lender’s institutional funding partner.
• Oversee regulated lending suitability processes and ensure customer assessments are completed consistently.
• Support the development and effective use of the company’s CRM system.
• Produce and analyse management information to support performance and strategic decision-making.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers, professional advisers and external service providers.
• Lead operational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support staff development through training, coaching and knowledge sharing.

Candidate Requirements

The successful individual will be a commercially aware and hands-on operations professional who is comfortable operating at senior level within an entrepreneurial business. You will combine strong judgement and attention to detail with the confidence to challenge existing processes, work independently and build effective relationships across the organisation.

• Strong experience within financial services operations or another regulated environment.
• Good understanding of operational processes, governance, compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Exposure to specialist property finance, bridging or development finance would be advantageous.
• Understanding of regulated lending and the distinction between regulated and unregulated lending.
• Previous involvement with FCA reporting or other regulatory returns would be highly relevant.
• Experience developing business processes, operational controls or systems.
• CRM implementation, development or optimisation experience would be beneficial.
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to work directly with directors and senior stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and commercially aware approach.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, judgement and attention to detail.

On Offer

Our client is looking to pay up to c£120k as a basic salary, dependent on experience, although higher offers may be considered for exceptional individuals.

This is a permanent senior-level appointment with direct exposure to the Managing Director and wider leadership team.

The opportunity is London based on a hybrid basis.

Most importantly, the successful individual will have genuine scope to shape the operational model of an established specialist lender, creating the processes, systems and infrastructure that will support its continued development.

Next Steps

There is a reasonable amount of urgency to fill this position in line with the lender’s objectives.

Due to the nature of the role and opportunity, we do not expect it to be on the market for long.

If this role does sound like one that you are both qualified for and interested in, then we look forward to your application as soon as possible.

Once we have reviewed your application, we will be in touch with an update. We look forward to hearing from you.

The City + Capital Team