Head of CEO Office & Business Operations

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Head of CEO Office & Business Operations based in Germany. We are looking for a highly experienced and hands-on Business Operations leader to work directly with the CEO and drive the operational excellence of a growing international software engineering business. In this strategic leadership role, you will own the company's operating rhythm, translating business priorities into actionable plans, measurable objectives, and tangible results. You will oversee key areas including delivery performance, financial planning, workforce management, compliance, and organizational efficiency. Working closely with senior leadership and team leads across multiple time zones, you will ensure accountability and effective execution throughout the organization. You will also lead the adoption of AI-powered tools and scalable processes to support the company's ambitious growth plans. This is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial operations professional to shape a growing business from within, with a clear progression path toward the Chief Operating Officer (COO) position. Accountabilities: - Own and manage the company's operating cadence, including strategic priorities, OKRs, weekly business reviews, performance tracking, and management reporting. - Translate the CEO's strategic objectives into clear operational plans, ensuring priorities are communicated, implemented, and delivered across teams. - Prepare data-driven recommendations and decision-making materials for the CEO, presenting relevant insights, options, risks, and potential trade-offs. - Take ownership of decisions and follow through on agreed actions, ensuring accountability and measurable business outcomes. - Manage operational issues and client escalations that require executive-level attention, coordinating with relevant teams to identify solutions and ensure timely resolution. - Partner with Finance and HR to plan budgets, workforce requirements, headcount, resource allocation, and employee utilization.

- Monitor operational and financial performance, identifying inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities for improvement. - Oversee compliance initiatives and ensure progress across relevant frameworks and regulatory requirements, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. - Drive the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across the organization, identifying opportunities to automate workflows, improve productivity, and enhance operational processes. - Evaluate and implement digital tools and technologies that support scalable business operations and cross-functional collaboration. - Work directly with the CEO and department leads to strengthen communication, coordination, and execution across distributed teams. - Establish scalable operating processes and management practices that support the organization's long-term growth ambitions. - Take an active role in shaping the company's organizational structure and operational model as the business expands. - Gradually develop into a broader executive operations position, with a clear pathway toward taking on COO responsibilities. Requirements: - At least 6 years of professional experience in Business Operations, Operations Management, or comparable leadership roles within a growing organization. - Hands-on operational experience across at least three of the following areas: service delivery, finance, people operations, and compliance. - Proven track record of owning operational results, with concrete examples of objectives, actions taken, and measurable outcomes achieved. - Strong understanding of business performance management, including KPIs, OKRs, operational reporting, and continuous improvement methodologies. - Demonstrated experience establishing and managing operating rhythms, including weekly reviews, strategic planning, performance reporting, and accountability frameworks.