Strategic Business Manager

Why join us? DWF is seeking an experienced Business Manager to join our Central Services leadership team, acting as a strategic partner to the Chief Operating Officer. This is a high-profile role operating at the heart of a complex, fast-paced and evolving business. Working closely with the COO and senior leadership team, you will identify and drive the interdependencies across individual projects being run in individual functions to ensure alignment of the overall programme of work. As part of this role, you will provide the insight, challenge and governance required to support business financial performance and long-term growth. We are open to candidates based across our UK office network, although Manchester, Bristol and London are preferred locations due to the distribution of key stakeholders. This role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, balancing office collaboration with remote working. Responsibilities Support the Chief Operating Officer in fostering a high-performance culture across Central Services, driving accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Represent the Central Services function in internal and external meetings and, where appropriate, deputise for the Chief Operating Officer. Identify, monitor and manage programme interdependencies, risks and potential barriers to delivery, proactively escalating issues and recommending mitigation strategies. Provide independent assurance and constructive challenge on project delivery, ensuring initiatives remain on track and deliver anticipated outcomes. Establish and embed governance frameworks, management reporting processes, service level agreements (SLAs), key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance measures to support operational excellence. Develop executive-level reporting, dashboards and management information, providing clear, data-driven insight into business performance, programme delivery and strategic priorities. Analyse operational and project performance data, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement, while driving a culture of accountability and informed decision-making. Partner with senior leaders across Technology, Data, AI, Risk, Legal and Operations functions to ensure effective collaboration and execution of business priorities. Monitor the delivery of cost-saving initiatives, validating that projected benefits, savings and business outcomes are realised. Support organisational readiness for strategic transactions and business change activities, including coordinating due diligence requirements, documentation and stakeholder engagement. Identify opportunities to improve processes, controls and operating practices, implementing structures that enhance efficiency, governance and business performance. Act as a central point of coordination across the leadership team, ensuring priorities are tracked, actions are delivered and progress is communicated effectively to senior stakeholders. What will help you succeed in this role? Significant experience supporting executive leadership teams, COO functions or strategically important business units. Proven ability to operate effectively within complex, matrixed organisations, working across multiple functions and stakeholder groups. Experience leading or supporting strategic business change and operational improvement initiatives from planning through to delivery. Strong operational management capability, including experience establishing governance frameworks, performance reporting, management information and KPI monitoring processes. Demonstrated project and programme delivery experience, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a complex environment. Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility, provide constructive challenge and drive accountability at senior leadership level. Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business priorities and objectives into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience monitoring budgets, business performance and operational outcomes. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks, identify trends and provide data-driven recommendations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and influence stakeholders at all levels. Experience supporting due diligence, strategic transactions or large-scale organisational change programmes. What we offer? We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team. About us DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities, and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do.