Scaling Smart: When to Bring on a Full-Time Ops Lead

Operations are the unsung hero of any growing business. They keep the wheels turning from team workflows and processes to logistics, systems, and execution. But when you're scaling a startup or SME, knowing when to bring on a full-time Head of Operations (or Ops Lead) can be tricky.

Should you hire now? Can you make do with fractional support? Or are you better off waiting a little longer?

At JamPot, we help high-growth teams make smart talent decisions. Here’s our take on when a full-time Ops Lead is a game-changer and when it might not be the best move (yet).

 First, What Does an Ops Lead Really Do?

In early-stage businesses, “operations” can mean everything from firefighting customer issues to streamlining internal processes. But as your company matures, operations leadership often includes:

• Creating scalable systems for growth
• Leading cross-functional execution
• Driving efficiency and reducing bottlenecks
• Managing tools, vendors, and compliance
• Supporting hiring, onboarding, and culture
• Forecasting resourcing needs (yes, including headcount)

An experienced Ops Lead doesn't just make things smoother—they make growth sustainable

 Signs You Are Ready for a Full-Time Ops Hire

1. You’re Growing Fast, but Slowing Down

If your team is constantly playing catch-up, missing deadlines, or struggling to prioritise, you likely need a dedicated person to align people, processes, and tools.

2. Founders Are in the Weeds

When founders are spending more time managing systems, logistics, and internal chaos than driving the business forward, it's time to delegate.

3. You've Hit 15+ People (and Scaling More)

At this stage, complexity increases exponentially. More meetings, more coordination, and more room for things to fall through the cracks.

4. You're Preparing for Funding or Expansion

Investors want to see solid infrastructure. Whether it’s international expansion or new verticals, a strong ops lead can help you scale without breaking.

 When You Might Not Need One (Yet)

1. You’re Still Defining Product-Market Fit

If you're pre-revenue or iterating rapidly, a full-time ops leader might not have enough strategic clarity to build scalable systems yet.

2. You Only Need Tactical Help

Sometimes what you need is project management, not operations strategy. Hiring a full-time ops lead to “just get stuff done” may be overkill.

3. You Have Strong Ops-Capable Founders or Leads

If someone internally is already wearing the ops hat well (and has the bandwidth), a full-time hire may not add enough value to justify the cost.

 The Case for a Fractional or Interim Ops Lead

Still in that grey area? Many teams turn to fractional operations leaders as a bridge. At JamPot, we see founders benefit most from fractional support when they:

• Need to build or audit systems before hiring full-time
• Want to test the role before committing
• Are going through rapid growth, a reorg, or a product launch
• Want senior-level thinking without the full-time cost

This model lets you stay agile while still getting expert input on your processes, systems, and team scaling.

Final Thoughts: Build Ops Into Your DNA Early

Hiring a full-time Ops Lead isn’t about throwing headcount at chaos. It’s about laying the foundation for sustainable growth. But smart scaling means being intentional. Whether full-time, fractional, or project-based, operations is too important to ignore.

If you’re unsure what kind of operations support you need, let’s talk. At JamPot, we help startups and scaleups build the right teams, at the right time.

 Book a chat with us to figure out what ops leadership should look like for your next stage of growth.

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