Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1000+ colleagues in 70+ countries and very few roles based in offices. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder led, profitable and growing.

We are hiring a Chief Operating Officer to lead business enabling operations that support our uniquely distributed work. Perhaps unusually we are looking for a leader who is insightful and passionate about the impact of open source in the world.

Canonical aspires to global leadership on two fronts. In software, we aim to build and offer the best array of open source platform, management and application solutions. In employment, we aim to blaze a trail as a truly distributed home-based company setting the pace for 21st century work. Other tech companies may have tried home-based work during the pandemic, but we intend to master it. This role will demand insights, expertise, rigor and leadership on both fronts. The scope for the position includes:

Global operations, including company documentation, business services, offices and briefing centers
Project management for customer deliveries and implementation as well as corporate initiatives
Significant global travel procurement and logistics for company and industry events
Legal services, global contracting and regulatory compliance
Revenue operations ("sales ops"), the bridge between sales, legal and finance

Location: This role will be filled in Europe, Middle East or Africa time zones, with the option of home or London office.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a detail-oriented leader with a bias to action. A successful candidate might have any of a wide range of qualifications, such as legal or business, or a technical or engineering background.

An exceptional academic track record in both high school and university
Enthusiasm and personal interest in technology, especially open source
A track record of leadership and innovation
Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills
Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility
Thoughtfulness, accountability and self-motivation
Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks long

Nice-to-have skills we would value

Software engineering, preferably on Linux and open source
Technical operations - IS, public or private cloud
Project management expertise
Procurement expertise
Travel industry insights and experience
Familiarity with legal concerns in multi-country contracting
Understanding of sales processes and sales ops

What we offer you

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
Annual compensation review
Recognition rewards
Annual holiday leave
Maternity and paternity leave
Employee Assistance Programme
Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence - in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer

We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

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Chief Operating Officer - Global Tech Sector