Operations Director

Operations Director 📍 Taunton 💼 Senior Leadership | IFA / Wealth Management 💰 Competitive salary + bonus + benefits Hybrid - 4 days office 1-day WFH, after probation period. Initially you will be needed in the office 5 days per week. We're working with a highly regarded Independent Financial Advisory firm with c. £600m AUM, strong links to a well‑known accountancy practice, and a reputation for delivering high‑quality, holistic financial planning. As the business continues to grow, they're looking to appoint an experienced Operations Director to help take the firm to the next level. The Opportunity This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role working closely with the Managing Director / CEO. You'll have full responsibility for driving operational excellence across the business, ensuring the smooth, compliant, and efficient delivery of advice while supporting long‑term growth and scalability. Primary focus is on operations, administration, process improvement, and data/systems optimisation. Please note this person MUST have extensive, direct experience within an IFA (Independent Financial Adviser) business. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership Develop and deliver operational strategy aligned to business goals Oversee day‑to‑day operations across administration, paraplanning, and client support Drive process improvement, efficiency, and cost optimisation Manage operational budgets and resourcesPeople & Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop operations teams Set KPIs and monitor performance Support recruitment, onboarding, and training Foster a high‑performance, client‑centric, and compliant cultureCompliance & Risk Work closely with the Compliance Officer to ensure FCA compliance Maintain robust internal controls and procedures Oversee audit readiness and regulatory reporting Embed Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles across operationsClient Service & Experience Ensure a consistently high standard of client service Improve client journey and onboarding processes Manage escalated client issues or complaints Enable advisers to deliver efficient, compliant adviceSystems & Technology Ownership of CRM and operational systems (e.g. Intelliflo Office) Drive digital transformation and automation initiatives Ensure strong data integrity and MI Evaluate and implement new operational toolsCommercial & Strategic Support Monitor operational KPIs and MI Identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement Support strategic growth initiatives (including scaling and acquisitions) Collaborate with finance on budgeting and forecasting About You Essential Significant experience within an IFA / wealth management environment Strong understanding of UK financial services regulation Proven senior leadership and people management experience In‑depth knowledge of operational workflows within advice firms Highly organised, commercially aware, and solutions‑focused Strong working experience with Intelliflo Office Demonstrable operational management and leadership experience within the financial planning sector. Strong competency in systems/process improvement, especially data and technology platforms relevant to IFAs. Hands-on management approach; must be willing and able to implement as well as lead.Desirable Chartered status or relevant professional qualifications Experience with platforms such as Aviva, Quilter, or similar Exposure to process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) Please be aware this advert will remain open until the vacancy has been filled. Interviews will take place throughout this period, therefore we encourage you to apply early to avoid disappointment. Tate is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Tate is committed to promoting equal opportunities. To ensure that every candidate has the best experience with us, we encourage you to let us know if there are any adjustments we can make during the application or interview process. Your comfort and accessibility are our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Additionally, we value and respect your individuality, and we invite you to share your preferred pronouns in your application