Area Operations Manager

Role Title: Area Operations Manager

Location: Sheffield/Hybrid - 3 days per week onsite

Duration: 8 months

Rate: £442 per day inside ir35

The Area Operations Manager is accountable for end-to-end Area COO activities, spanning financial oversight, workforce planning, and third-party/vendor management. The role partners closely with senior technology stakeholders to drive strategic delivery, ensure robust governance, and optimise operational performance across a complex, global environment.

The role will be based in Sheffield, but some travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead all Area COO activities, including financial management, workforce planning, and vendor oversight
• Support the design and execution of strategic initiatives, including business case development and benefits realisation
• Lead and develop a global business management team
• Manage delivery against a significant annual operating plan across ~65 countries, identifying and executing cost-saving opportunities
• Oversee workforce life cycle management - forecasting, hiring approvals, requisitions, and off-boarding
• Manage rate setting, recharges, and billing to recover service costs
• Lead and support vendor management activities, including risk oversight, performance management, negotiations, and competitive sourcing (RFI/RFP, major deals)
• Oversee purchase-to-pay processes, including spend approvals, purchase orders, and invoice sign-off
• Produce high-quality financial reporting and management information to enable informed decision-making

Essential Skills & Experience

• 5+ years' business management or related experience, ideally within Financial Services technology
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles (qualified or part-qualified preferred)
• Experience developing robust business cases
• Deep understanding of financial and workforce planning cycles, cost management, and purchase-to-pay processes
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar global operating plans and programmes
• Familiarity with financial management tools (eg Oracle Fusion, Apptio preferred)
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders
• Understanding of the global technology landscape and industry dynamics
• Experience working within diverse, global teams
• Ability to simplify and clearly articulate complex topics to varied audiences
• Highly adaptable, resilient, and able to perform effectively under pressure