Chief Operating Officer

Highview Accounting & Financial is a leading multi site professional services firm that has doubled in size over the past five years and is positioned to double again within the next five. With more than 160 people across seven offices, the firm has built its success on strong client relationships, an engaged team culture and a commitment to expanding its service offerings across accounting, financial planning, insurance, finance and digital intelligence. To support the next phase of growth and ensure strategic discipline across the group, Highview is appointing its first Chief Operating Officer, a pivotal leadership role that will partner closely with the Highview Board and leadership team to unify operations, uplift shared services capabilities, and drive execution of the strategic plan. The Role Reporting directly to the Highview Board, the COO will lead the firm’s shared services and corporate functions, ensuring they operate cohesively and deliver consistent, high quality support across an organisation with varied ownership structures and multiple service lines. This role will play a central part in shaping the future of Highview by driving enterprise wide initiatives, lifting operational maturity and standardising the client and employee experience across all offices. The COO will work “up and out” with Partners and Practice Leaders to support growth, and “down and in” with Shared Services to enhance capability, structure and efficiency. A key priority will be executing the firm’s strategic plan, ensuring initiatives are properly sequenced, resourced and delivered. The role will also provide leadership over significant project work, including key technology upgrades. Success in this role requires balancing strategic influence with hands on operational execution, ensuring the firm’s rapid growth is matched with strong systems, disciplined processes and an aligned culture. Key Responsibilities Partner with the Board and leadership team to execute the Highview strategic plan and drive agreed strategic initiatives Lead all Shared Services and corporate functions – People & Culture, Finance, Marketing, Systems & Technology and broader operations Implement consistent standards, processes and reporting frameworks across practices and departments. Strengthen alignment across the Highview network, ensuring a uniform “look, feel and experience” for clients and employees Oversee and deliver key transformation projects, including an enterprise wide CRM uplift Provide disciplined operational oversight, ensuring capacity, capability and resources match the demands of a growing organisation Build and maintain high levels of employee engagement and cultural cohesion across multiple sites Develop and implement performance reporting that gives the Board visibility of progress, risks, outcomes and priorities Lead with calm authority, influencing senior stakeholders and constructively challenging where needed About You You are an accomplished operational leader with experience driving organisational uplift within a multi site, service based or partnership style business, ideally in professional services. You combine strategic thinking with an ability to implement, execute and bring structure to complex environments. Most importantly, you bring a mindset of accountability, ownership and delivery – someone who can turn strategy into action and action into outcomes. Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement The confidence to influence Senior Partners and challenge the Board when needed A process driven mindset with strong attention to detail and a passion for operational excellence The ability to create alignment, engage people and bring others on the journey Calmness under pressure and the judgement to prioritise what matters most Proven experience overseeing either Shared Services or corporate functions in a growing organisation Backgrounds that may suit include: Program Management, General Management, Consulting, or senior operational leadership in professional services such as accounting or legal Why Join Highview? Highview is a values driven, people focused organisation experiencing strong growth and significant opportunity. This is a rare chance to step into a newly created executive role with a clear mandate, genuine influence and full support from an engaged Board. You’ll help shape the next era of the firm, build enterprise wide capability and play a defining role in its continued expansion. How to Apply Sharp & Carter has been exclusively retained to conduct this search. To apply, please submit your CV via the link below. For a confidential discussion, please contact Harley Thomas at #J-18808-Ljbffr