Chief Operating Officer

About the role

Strata Financial is seeking a hands‑on Chief Operating Officer to build and run the operational engine that supports rapid growth across its six Irish offices. The COO will own the day‑to‑day operational agenda, create systems and controls for profitable expansion, and ensure seamless integration of newly acquired firms.

Key responsibilities

• Design and embed a consistent group‑wide operating model covering compliance, audit, accounting, tax, advisory, bookkeeping, payroll and client onboarding.
• Create clear workflows, file structures, review points, SLAs, quality controls, KPIs, dashboards and management rhythms for every office and service line.
• Improve utilisation, recovery, WIP, lock‑up, write‑offs, client throughput and overall performance through stronger accountability and data‑driven insights.
• Eliminate duplication and manual processes across legacy and acquired offices, introducing smarter processes, shared services and technology.
• Own and rationalise the practice technology stack (practice management, document management, workflow, time and billing, payroll, ID/AML, client portals).
• Lead post‑acquisition integration using a repeatable 30/60/90/180‑day playbook covering systems, people, clients, processes, premises and brand.
• Manage end‑to‑end system migrations, ensuring no service disruption.
• Collaborate with HR, IT, Finance, Marketing, technical and risk teams to align contracts, roles, benefits, performance frameworks and regulatory standards.
• Track integration milestones, cost‑to‑serve gains, system savings and synergies; report to CEO, CFO and board.
• Support M&A diligence by assessing systems debt, process maturity, staffing dependencies, client concentration, operational risk and integration cost.
• Chair integration governance and advise leadership on capacity, pricing, service‑line growth and capital deployment.

Required profile

• Proven experience as COO, Operations Director, Head of Integration, Head of Transformation or similar in accountancy, professional services, legal, consulting, wealth management or another fee‑earning environment.
• Direct buy‑and‑build or roll‑up experience, ideally PE‑backed, with hands‑on involvement in at least three completed integrations.

Required skills