The Operations Director will play a pivotal role in the overall management and strategic direction of the company’s operational departments, including Data Processing, Graphics/Charing, Face-to-Face Field Teams, and the Telephone Centre.

This role requires a dynamic leader who can drive efficiency, ensure high-quality standards, and lead the teams to deliver projects on time and within budget. The Operations Director will work closely with other senior management team members to support the company’s growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Maintain, develop and implement an operational team and strategies that meet with the company’s needs, goals and objectives.
  • Ensure strong collaborative working arrangements between the client facing and operational teams, to maximise best practice delivery.
  • Lead the operational teams in optimizing processes and improving efficiency across all departments.
  • Set performance metrics and KPIs to measure success and drive continuous improvement.

Departmental Management

Oversee the following teams

  • Data Processing team to ensure the accurate and timely scripting of projects and the delivery of data.
  • Face-to-Face Field operations, ensuring that all fieldwork is conducted to the highest standards and within project timelines.
  • Telephone Centre operations, optimizing call handling, data collection, and team performance.
  • Charting operations, ensuring best quality, processes and deliverables are provided to the client facing teams

Process Improvement

  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of each department.
  • Ensure the integration and seamless operation of all departments to deliver consistent results.
  • Develop and maintain SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to ensure consistency and quality in service delivery.

Quality Assurance

  • Maintain and enforce quality control processes to ensure data integrity and reliability.
  • Oversee the compliance of operations with industry standards and regulations.
  • Address any operational challenges promptly to maintain the highest levels of client satisfaction.

Resource Management

  • Develop and manage departmental resources, ensuring that operations run well and meet the needs of the business.
  • Optimize resource allocation to maximize productivity and minimize costs.
  • Monitor and control operational expenses, ensuring cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

Team Leadership and Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a happy and high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback to team members.
  • Identify training and development needs within the team and facilitate appropriate learning opportunities.

Client and Stakeholder Management

  • Work closely with account managers and clients to understand project requirements and expectations.
  • Ensure clear communication channels between operations teams and client managers/clients to deliver projects that meet or exceed expectations.
  • Attend client meetings when necessary to discuss operational aspects and ensure alignment with client needs.

Key Skills and Qualifications

  1. Proven experience in an operations leadership role within a market research agency or a similar environment.
  2. Strong understanding of market research methodologies, including data processing, charting/output, face to face fieldwork, and telephone interviewing.
  3. Demonstrated ability to manage and lead diverse teams across multiple departments.
  4. Excellent project management skills with a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
  5. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on process improvement and efficiency.
  6. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with clients, stakeholders, and team members.
  7. Experience resource allocation and management.

Hours and Remuneration

By its nature the Operations Director position does require a hands-on approach, and the expectation is that they will be present in RED C offices in Clontarf, Dublin at least 3 days a week.  It may be that on some occasion more days per week in the office will be required.  There will also be times when they may have to work or be on calls outside of normal working hours.   The expectation is that this is a full-time position, however exceptions may be made for a 4 day week, for the right candidate.   The position will provide a benchmarked renumeration package.

The company currently operates a flexible working hours arrangement, core office hours are 10am to 4pm, and we expect that everyone will be at work between these times, but start and finish times can vary to meet the 8.5 hour day (with an hour for lunch).  We also operate a shorter day on Friday with a 7.5 hour day, and on a trial basis every other Friday we operate a half day finish at 1pm.

Interested candidates should submit their CV, cover letter, and any other relevant documents in confidence to [email protected]