Chief Operating Officer​/Legal - Venture Capital; FTC

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…