Cloud Operations - Managing Director

Managing Director - Cloud Operations

RSM seeks a proven leader to serve as the operational backbone of our newly established cloud practice, driving cross-functional coordination, client go-to-market and asset development. The role is responsible for translating strategy into operational reality, ensuring seamless execution across all service lines.

Position Description:

The Director is accountable for all operational aspects of building and scaling RSM’s cloud revenue through net new sales, expansion of existing accounts, and disciplined cross-sell into broader RSM services. Acting as the business development liaison between delivery teams and client executives, the director will ensure we have everything in place to drive predictable pipeline and asset development by partnering across RSM consulting lines of service. Success is assessed by pipeline creation, conversion, bookings, run-rate growth, bench health, forecast accuracy, and cross-sell impact.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive operational roadmap aligned with practice growth objectives and firm-wide strategic priorities.
• Create and execute detailed implementation plans for practice integration initiatives, ensuring coordination across service lines.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for practice health, client satisfaction, and cross-selling effectiveness
• Lead quarterly business reviews and strategic planning sessions with leadership

Cross-Selling & Client Value Optimization

• Design and implement frameworks to identify and capture cross-selling opportunities within CRM and Finance Systems.
• Build systematic approaches to client relationship mapping and account planning that maximize integrated service delivery.
• Collaborate with service teams to develop integrated solution offerings that increase client wallet share.
• Create mechanisms to share client insights and opportunities across practice teams.

Operational Coordination & Excellence

• Coordinate resource allocation, project staffing, and capacity planning across cloud practice teams.
• Establish and maintain operational cadence through regular leadership meetings, stand-ups, and practice-wide communications.
• Drive operational excellence through process optimization, standardization, and best practice sharing.
• Oversee practice management systems, tools, and knowledge management platforms.

Relationship Building & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with service line leaders, industry groups, channels and supporting central teams (CMG, Sales, ORM, SBA) .
• Foster a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support across the cloud practice.
• Serve as primary liaison between practice leadership and firm operational functions.

Financial Management

• Present and analyze financial performance including revenue, profitability, utilization, and margins.
• Oversee budget development, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Manage P&L elements including direct costs, allocations, and investments.
• Identify and implement opportunities for operational efficiency and cost optimization.
• Track and report on financial metrics to practice leadership and firm finance teams.

Risk & Issue Management

• Use existing risk management frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate operational, delivery, and compliance risks.
• Maintain comprehensive issues log and drive resolution of practice-level challenges.
• Implement quality assurance processes to ensure delivery qualityand client satisfaction.
• Escalate critical risks and issues to practice leadership with recommended mitigation strategies.

Asset & Resource Management

• Oversee management of practice assets including intellectual property, accelerators, tools, and methodologies.
• Coordinate development and maintenance of practice offerings, frameworks, and solutions.
• Document vendor relationships and partnerships critical to practice operations.

Basic Qualifications: 

• 10+ years of progressive experience in management consulting, professional services, or technology services.
• 5+ years in senior operational or practice management roles, preferably in cloud, digital transformation, or technology practices.
• Proven track record of building and scaling practices or service lines in professional services environments.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with significant financial accountability and C level presentation.
• Understanding of consulting firm structures, governance, and decision-making processes.
• Exceptional organizational and program management capabilities with proven ability to coordinate multiple workstreams simultaneously.
•  Strong financial acumen including P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Superior relationship-building skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders across organizational boundaries.
• Strategic thinking combined with operational discipline and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to distill complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with project management, financial management, and collaboration tools.

Preferred/Plus

• Bachelor’s degree or alternative related certification required, MBA or relevant advanced degree a plus.
• Experience at a top-tier management consulting firm (MBB, Big 4, or equivalent).
• Background in strategy consulting with operational implementation experience.
• Experience with large-scale transformation programs and change management.
• Prior COO, Chief of Staff, or Practice Director experience in professional services.
• Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) or equivalent technical credentials.

Success Metrics (First 12-18 Months)

• Establish comprehensive operational roadmap and governance framework for integrated practice.
• Implement cross-selling playbooks resulting in measurable increase in integrated service delivery.
• Achieve practice financial targets with transparent reporting and forecasting accuracy within 5%.
• Build collaborative culture evidenced by positive stakeholder feedback and cross-team engagement.
• Maintain risk and issue register with 90%+ on-time resolution of critical items.
• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders across practice and firm leadership.

General Terms of Employment

• Status: Full-time, Exempt.
• Initial Performance Period (First 6 Months): This is a newly created role. Employment will include an initial performance period with quarterly minimums and a formal Month-3 and Month-6 review against defined KPIs. Continuation in role, compensation adjustments, and any accelerators are contingent on meeting agreed targets. Qualitative factors will be included in performance reviews and affect MD assessments.
• Compensation: Competitive base salary plus variable incentive plan tied to net-new and expansion bookings, gross margin, and cross-sell influence. The compensation plan will outline its terms, including thresholds and clawback provisions, all of which are subject to applicable company policies.
• Location & Travel: Flexible within the US; expected client and internal travel ~10%, varying by portfolio needs.
• Compliance: Must comply with firm policies on independence, confidentiality, information security, and client risk/contracting standards. Background verification required.
• EEO: RSM is an equal opportunity employer.