The Operations Director will play a pivotal internal role in driving sustainable growth and operational excellence across the CTS Strategic Business Unit (SBU) in EMEA. This role is accountable to the CTS Executive Committee (ExCo) for overseeing operations, driving strategic initiatives, and leading the People portfolio.

The Operations Director will act as the bridge between CTS leadership, shared services teams, and business stakeholders to align strategy with execution. As a culture architect, this individual will foster a highly inclusive environment that empowers team members to thrive while driving operational efficiency and talent development.

We are seeking a strategic, hands-on leader with a strong blend of industry and professional services experience, proven operational expertise, and the ability to build trusted relationships.

Operational Leadership

• Collaborate with CTS Leaders to define and execute the SBU vision, operational strategy, and growth plans.
• Oversee daily SBU operations across finance, reporting, and business management, ensuring efficiency, alignment with objectives, and cost control.
• Drive the development and implementation of operational policies, processes, and technologies to enhance effectiveness.
• Co-own routine and ad-hoc CTS reporting in partnership with the Head of Finance, including:
  • Annual CTS Business Plan coordination.
  • Presenting clear, actionable insights to leadership.

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead and manage cross-functional projects to drive operational improvements, growth strategies, and infrastructure development.
• Identify areas for enhancement through operational analysis and implement solutions.
• Foster alignment and collaboration between CTS and EMEA shared services (finance, HR, IT) to leverage central resources effectively.

People Development & Talent Strategy

• Partner with the Global People Organisation to develop and execute talent strategies that align with CTS objectives.
• Oversee the full employee lifecycle, including:
  • Recruiting & onboarding plans to attract top talent.
  • Resourcing schedules ensuring individual development needs are balanced with business priorities.
  • Addressing capability gaps through targeted learning and development programs.
  • Embedding Inclusive Diversity principles across the team.
• Own and enhance the CTS people development processes by improving quality, completeness, and follow-through across:
  • Project reviews & engagement feedback.
  • Mid-year and annual performance reviews.
  • Promotion and remuneration processes.
  • 360 feedback and Personal Development Plans.
• Drive initiatives to build a positive and engaged culture, including:
  • Staff communications, team-building activities, and off-site events.
  • Leadership engagement and performance manager effectiveness.
  • Evolving the CTS culture to create a fulfilled, motivated, and high-performing team.

 Quality & Risk Management

• Update and standardize the CTS playbook, embedding best practices across project management and risk processes.
• Introduce formal project reviews for key projects, focusing on project governance and improving the employee experience.
• Champion operational excellence by developing tools, dashboards, and processes that drive consistency and quality.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive experience, ideally within professional services or consulting combined with operational leadership in a corporate environment.
• Proven expertise in strategic planning, operations management, and people leadership.
• Strong understanding of business operations and ability to align talent strategies with organizational goals.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving large-scale change initiatives.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and project management skills with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution in a fast-paced environment.

Note: This role may require occasional travel to support CTS operations across the EMEA region.