Chief Operating Officer

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Salary Range: £90-95k

1 year FTA with a view to extension

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Department: COO/CEO Office

Onsite – Hours as required

About us

We are the QEII Centre – central London’s premier venue for domestic and international events. Located in the heart of Westminster, our award-winning Centre offers modern, flexible spaces for all types of events from conferences and exhibitions to award ceremonies, dinners and fashion shows. We host hundreds of events each year, ranging from high-profile international conferences to bespoke corporate meetings. At the heart of everything we do is a steadfast commitment to exceptional customer service.

As a government-owned trading fund, we operate commercially while remaining accountable for the responsible use of public funds and compliance with Government public spending guidance.

Our people are central to our success. From our acclaimed in-house caterers, QEII Taste by Levy, to our expert Audio Visual (AV) and Event IT teams, every employee plays a vital role in delivering outstanding experiences. As of 2025, we’ve proudly achieved over 50 industry awards since 2014 — an ongoing recognition of our excellence in the events sector. Most recently, we were awarded three Gold Eventex awards for Best Venue, Most Versatile Venue, and Best Event Space. These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for every client and delegate.

Job Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the QEII Centre, ensuring the effective delivery of world‑class events and the achievement of commercial, operational and organisational objectives. As the principal deputy to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will provide visible leadership and organisational resilience, ensuring continuity of senior decision‑making, effective cross‑functional delivery and a strong, aligned Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board, the COO will translate strategic priorities into high‑quality operational delivery, driving performance, people development, efficiency, and continuous improvement across all functions. The role is critical to ensuring that the Centre remains a leading national and international conference and events venue, delivering exceptional client experiences while maintaining robust governance and financial sustainability.

As the principal deputy to the Chief Executive, the COO provides visible organisational leadership, ensuring business continuity, operational resilience and effective cross‑functional delivery. The role is accountable to the Chief Executive and Board for the operational performance, governance, organisational resilience and delivery capability of the QEII Centre, ensuring operational decisions support the organisation's long‑term strategic objectives and financial sustainability.

Strategic Responsibilities

Operational Performance & Service Delivery

Operational Transformation & Continuous Improvement

People & Organisational Capability

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

Governance & Risk

External Relationships

Additional information

Key Relationships

• Government stakeholders and sponsors
• Clients, partners and suppliers

The above is not exhaustive and other duties not outlined may form part of the employees’ job description.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience operating at executive level, including deputising for a Chief Executive, Managing Director or equivalent senior accountable officer.
• Strong operational leadership with the ability to translate strategy into delivery
• Experience of leading operations management at senior level, including oversight of service delivery, resources, facilities, health and safety, risk, business continuity and performance improvement across complex operational environments.
• Commercial acumen with experience managing revenue‑generating services
• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management experience, with the credibility and judgement to lead through QEII Centre values and behaviours.
• Experience of managing high‑profile clients, partnerships and strategic commercial relationships, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and secure positive outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience of developing organisational talent pipelines and credible succession plans for business‑critical roles.
• High level of personal accountability, with a proven track record of owning decisions, delivering results and taking responsibility for the performance, culture and outcomes of their area, while operating strategically and maintaining strong operational oversight.
• Experience operating within a regulated, public‑sector or publicly accountable environment, with strong understanding of governance, assurance, risk management, value for money and responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Significant experience of operations management at senior level, including oversight of service delivery, resources, facilities, health and safety, risk, business continuity and performance improvement across complex operational environments.
• Experience of leading complex, multi‑disciplinary operations in a high‑profile venue, visitor attraction, events, hospitality or comparable customer‑facing environment, ensuring safe, resilient and commercially focused service delivery.

Technical Skills and Qualifications:

• A relevant finance, accounting or business qualification, or equivalent senior‑level financial management experience, would be an advantage.

Behaviours and QEII Values (Team QEIIC)

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Bonus scheme (discretionary) calculated on corporate and individual
• Membership of the Civil Service Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days' annual leave with an additional day per year to a maximum of 30 days & 1 privilege day
• Subsidised staff restaurant/coffee bar
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Participation at staff events; celebratory, educational, team
• Access to learning and development tailored to you
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity

Artificial intelligence

can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

This vacancy is using Civil Service Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours.

The closing date for applications is 22nd October 2026 @ 23.59

Further Information

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We recruit by merit based on fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil ServiceCommission's recruitment principles.

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with thevalues in the Civil Service Code and/or you feel that recruitment has been conducted in such away that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner's Recruitment Principles,you may make a complaint, by contacting the HR

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