Chief Operating Officer/Legal - Venture Capital (12 Month FTC)

Chief Operating Officer - Venture Capital

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Chief Operating Officer to join a leading venture capital fund on an interim basis, covering maternity leave for approximately 10-12 months. This is a rare chance to play a pivotal role in a globally-minded investment firm that backs visionary founders transforming the physical world with technology. With a platform of over 300 professionals and a strong track record across the UK, Europe, and the US, this organisation offers you the chance to work alongside some of the most knowledgeable minds in the industry. You will be at the heart of operational excellence, supporting fund launches, investor engagement, and strategic growth initiatives. The position offers flexible working opportunities and the chance to collaborate closely with senior partners and talented teams, all while making a tangible impact on the future direction of the business.

• Join a highly respected venture capital fund investing in transformative technology companies across multiple geographies, offering you exposure to global markets and innovative founders.
• Take on a central leadership role during a period of significant growth and transition, including the launch of a new fund and key investor events, ensuring your contributions are both visible and valued.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements and direct collaboration with senior partners, fostering an inclusive environment where your expertise in operations, legal matters, and team management will truly shine.

What you'll do: As Chief Operating Officer - Venture Capital, you will be entrusted with overseeing every aspect of operations outside direct investment decisions. Your days will be varied-one moment you might be managing complex fund launches or preparing for high-profile investor meetings; the next you could be collaborating with external partners or guiding internal teams through compliance updates. Success in this role means being proactive in identifying opportunities for process improvement while nurturing strong interpersonal connections across departments. You will play an integral part in shaping strategic initiatives alongside senior leaders while ensuring that all operational elements run smoothly. Your ability to balance big picture thinking with meticulous attention to detail will help drive both immediate results and long term value creation for the organisation.

• Oversee all non investment functions within the organisation, ensuring seamless day to day operations across HR, IT, finance (in partnership with a strong finance team), legal matters, and compliance within an FCA regulated environment.
• Manage operational aspects of three funds at different stages: oversee quarterly and annual accounts for Fund I; coordinate final investments and ongoing operations for Fund II; lead the launch process for Fund III including vehicle setup, capital calls, closings, and initial investments.
• Directly supervise key team members including an Operations Associate, Head of Investor Relations, and finance contractors while acting as a thought partner to senior leadership.
• Coordinate relationships with external service providers such as fund administrators, auditors, AIFMs, depositaries, and other third parties to ensure high standards of service delivery.
• Support talent management processes including hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development to foster a collaborative and high performing team culture.
• Drive compliance activities by maintaining up to date policies and procedures in line with regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Lead or participate in executive committee meetings to shape organisational strategy and ensure alignment across all operational areas.
• Contribute to branding initiatives and growth strategies that enhance the platform's reputation among investors and portfolio companies alike.
• If you have a legal background, provide additional support during portfolio company funding rounds to streamline transactions and mitigate risk.
• Prepare for major events such as annual investor meetings and interim closings by coordinating logistics, communications, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate for Chief Operating Officer - Venture Capital brings a wealth of experience from leading consulting or legal backgrounds combined with hands on knowledge of venture capital or private equity operations. Your history of thriving in smaller teams means you are comfortable wearing many hats-whether it's refining internal processes or stepping into urgent projects at short notice. Your interpersonal skills set you apart: colleagues find you approachable yet dependable; stakeholders trust your judgement implicitly. You understand how to navigate regulated environments without losing sight of commercial objectives. Your approach is always considerate-balancing empathy with accountability-and your project management acumen ensures nothing falls through the cracks. If your background includes legal expertise, your input during funding rounds will add further value. Above all else, your commitment to collaboration helps create an environment where everyone feels supported in achieving their best work.

• Experience gained from top tier strategy consulting or legal firms provides you with robust analytical skills and professional rigour essential for this role.
• A proven track record in venture capital or private equity fund operations-ideally within FCA regulated environments-demonstrates your understanding of industry specific challenges.
• At least 7 10 years' experience working within small teams or start up settings equips you with adaptability and resourcefulness needed for success here.
• Exceptional communication skills enable you to build trust quickly with colleagues at all levels as well as external stakeholders such as investors or service providers.
• High emotional intelligence allows you to act as an effective integrator who brings people together around shared goals while navigating sensitive situations diplomatically.
• Financial literacy ensures you can interpret budgets, management accounts, valuations, and other key metrics even if not directly responsible for financial reporting.
• Outstanding project management abilities mean you can juggle multiple priorities-from fund launches to compliance reviews-without losing sight of deadlines or quality standards.
• Operational expertise enables you to design efficient processes that support business growth while minimising risk exposure across all functions.
• A collaborative mindset fosters teamwork both internally and externally when dealing with partners or vendors.
• If applicable: Legal qualifications or experience allow you to contribute more deeply during portfolio company funding rounds or contract negotiations.

This organisation stands out as one of the most respected names in venture capital thanks to its unique blend of deep sector knowledge, global reach, and unwavering commitment to founder success. With over $140 million under management across multiple funds-and ambitious plans for further growth-you'll be joining at a time when your contributions can make a lasting impact. The platform's extensive network of more than 300 professionals opens doors not just for portfolio companies but also for employees seeking mentorship or career development opportunities. Here you'll find an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives while prioritising flexibility in how work gets done. The leadership team is known for its supportive approach-encouraging open dialogue and continuous learning so everyone can thrive together. Whether it's through training opportunities or generous pension contributions (where offered), this is an environment where your wellbeing matters as much as your professional achievements.

If you are ready to bring your operational expertise to one of venture capital's most exciting platforms during this pivotal period-this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; we look forward to connecting with candidates who share our passion for impactful collaboration.

Contract Type: Permanent

Specialism: Legal

Focus: Banking & Finance

Industry: Financial Services

Salary: £150,000 - £180,000 per annum

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Experience Level: Director

Location: London