Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Location: Ireland
Company Type: Research & Technology SME (Global)
The Opportunity
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role within a highly innovative water technology research and advisory business operating on a global stage. The organisation is an internationally active research-led technology and advisory business operating within the broader water and environmental solutions sector. It delivers independent insight, analytics, and strategic support to a diverse client base including infrastructure operators, global corporates, financial institutions, and innovation-driven enterprises.
As Chief Operating Officer, you will be the right-hand person to the Founder/Owner, playing a central role in shaping strategy, scaling operations, and driving the next phase of growth. This is a broad, hands-on role ideal for someone who thrives in an SME environment, enjoys wearing multiple hats, and wants to work with the business owner in an evolving business.
This role will suit someone who wants more than a traditional COO title—someone who wants to build, influence, and grow alongside a passionate founder in a truly fascinating sector.
Your Impact
You will ensure that strategy translates into execution across all functions. With a team of highly skilled professionals, you will create structure, momentum, and clarity—while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit that makes the company so special. You will have a very strong commercial focus that will support business growth and profitability across the different divisions helping them achieve targets, margins and budget.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Partner closely with the Founder to define and execute the company’s short- and long-term strategy
- Help identify new growth opportunities across research, advisory, data, and technology offerings
- Support investor engagement, client strategy, and high-level commercial decision-making
- Translate vision into actionable plans, KPIs, and measurable outcomes
Operational Excellence
- Oversee day-to-day operations across all departments
- Implement scalable processes and systems to support international growth
- Ensure alignment, accountability, and performance across the business
Financial Management & Commercial Oversight
- Support the FC on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities
- Full responsibility for P&L management, working closely with the Financial Controller
- Lead departmental budgeting and cost control while enabling growth
- Provide commercial analysis, sales reporting, and performance insights to support decision-making.
Sales, Forecasting & Analysis
- Partner with sales and leadership teams on pipeline management and revenue forecasting
- Analyse commercial performance, client trends, and market opportunities
- Support pricing strategy, proposal development, and client profitability analysis
People Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team
- Foster a collaborative, curious, and high-impact culture
- Support hiring, onboarding, and team structure as the business grows
Cross-Functional Involvement
- Be involved in all aspects of the business operation
- Act as a trusted sounding board to the Founder, contributing insight, challenge, and support.
About You
You are a commercially astute, intellectually curious operator who enjoys being close to both strategy and execution. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and excited by the opportunity to help shape a growing, globally relevant business.
You will bring:
- Senior operational leadership experience, ideally within an SME, research, technology, advisory, or professional services environment
- Strong financial acumen, with hands-on experience in P&L ownership, budgeting, and forecasting
- Experience managing and developing small to mid-sized teams
- A strategic mindset paired with a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves approach
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders, investors, and global clients
- Qualification in Finance, Business or related field.
- Ideally with Project Management experience.
- Industry experience is desirable but not essential.
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