Business Operations Manager – Professional Services

Business Operations Manager – Professional Services
Location: Central Dublin
Working arrangement: Office-based, with some flexibility to work from a sub-office once established in the role.

Our client is an established professional services firm operating primarily within the property and construction sectors. They are seeking an experienced Business Operations Manager to work closely with the Managing Director, Directors and senior management team, taking ownership of internal operations and supporting the continued development of the business.

This is an opportunity for a commercially aware, practical operator to make a meaningful impact on how a professional practice functions, ensuring its systems, processes and business-support arrangements are effective, efficient, coordinated and fit for purpose.

• The Role
• Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Business Operations Manager will work alongside the Directors, senior management and professional teams to improve the overall effectiveness of the practice.
• The primary purpose of the role is to take ownership of internal business operations, allowing the Directors to concentrate their time and expertise on client relationships, project and service delivery, and the continued development of the business.
• Acting as a central link between leadership, professional teams and business-support functions, the successful candidate will translate strategic priorities into practical initiatives, drive continuous improvement and ensure agreed changes are implemented effectively. The emphasis will be on identifying genuine opportunities to improve efficiency and coordination while preserving the strengths and working practices that contribute to the firm's success.
• Key Responsibilities
• Operational Improvement: Review existing systems, processes and working practices, identifying and implementing practical improvements that enhance efficiency and organisational effectiveness.
• Practice Management: Develop and maintain appropriate policies, procedures and operational arrangements, promoting consistency across teams and offices.
• Governance, Quality and Risk: Support quality assurance, operational controls, risk management and compliance with relevant professional and regulatory requirements.
• Systems and Technology: Coordinate the development and effective use of internal systems, technology and information resources, working with external providers where appropriate.
• Business Development Support: Improve the systems and processes supporting tendering, business development, corporate information and knowledge management.
• Change and Implementation: Coordinate operational improvement initiatives, engage with stakeholders and ensure agreed changes are successfully embedded.
• Business Support Coordination: Improve communication and coordination across internal functions, while managing relationships with external advisers, suppliers and service providers.
• Performance Reporting: Provide the Managing Director and Directors with clear operational reporting, highlighting progress, emerging risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Person Specification
• The successful candidate will have a strong background in business operations, practice management or operational improvement, ideally gained within a professional services or consultancy environment. Experience and knowledge of the construction or property sectors will be highly advantageous, as will an understanding of the operational requirements of a project-based professional practice.
• The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
• Relevant Experience: A proven track record in business operations, practice management, organisational development or process improvement, preferably within construction, property, engineering, architecture or a related professional services environment.
• Operational Excellence: The ability to assess existing systems and processes, identify opportunities for improvement and implement practical, proportionate solutions.
• Leadership and Stakeholder Management: Experience working closely with Directors, senior management and professional teams, building relationships and influencing colleagues across different functions.
• Strategic Implementation: The ability to translate business priorities into clear action plans, coordinate initiatives and ensure agreed changes are successfully implemented.
• Systems and Governance: An understanding of operational controls, quality assurance, risk management, information systems and appropriate policies and procedures.
• Communication and Organisation: Strong written and verbal communication, planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate activity across the business.
• Personal Approach: A collaborative, commercially aware and delivery-focused individual who exercises sound judgement, challenges existing practices constructively and drives improvement without introducing unnecessary complexity.
• The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with a hands-on, practical approach. They will be comfortable working with senior professional leaders, influencing without relying solely on formal authority and recognising when specialist expertise is required. Above all, they will understand that effective operations should support professional teams and enable the business to perform at its best.

Salary and Benefits
Our client is offering a competitive base salary of €80,000–€90,000, plus pension, bonus and a range of additional benefits. There is some flexibility in the overall package for candidates bringing particularly relevant experience within the construction, property or professional services sectors.