Chief Operating Officer
Pass the Keys
Chief Operating Officer
Pass the Keys
Full-service short-term rental management service
Pass the Keys · London, United Kingdom · Full-time · Posted 2026-09-01
Salary: GBP 120,000–140,000
Workplace: on_site
Department: Operations
Summary
Pass the Keys is hiring a COO to lead operations across our franchise network and support the CEO/Founder in scaling a purpose-driven organisation through its next stage of UK and international growth. We aim to grow net booking value from £35m to £100m+ over the next couple of years.
The position is London-based, requiring three days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) of in-office presence each week at our location near Bank station.
Reporting to the CEO, the COO will be responsible for leading our senior management team (sales, marketing, technology, franchise success, our own operations). You will take over the majority of day-to-day running of the business, allowing the CEO to focus more on new products, new markets, new business models, M&A, and other opportunities.
This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable building systems, driving accountability, and leading through influence. It requires exceptional people leadership and rigorous execution with strong strategic skills and commercial acumen. You need to have a very high EQ and be passionate about helping your team succeed and shine. Franchising, property management, and short-letting experience are a bonus.
Our Journey and Vision
Pass the Keys was founded in London in 2015 to help homeowners earn additional income and retain flexibility in using their homes by renting them out on platforms like Airbnb, without the hassle of managing them. We offer a fully managed service for our hosts (including Listing & Revenue Management, 24/7 Guest Services, and Cleaning & Maintenance). Pass the Keys’ tech focus differentiated us from other short-let management companies from the beginning.
Pass the Keys expanded its own operations to 10 cities and 300 properties between 2015 and 2018. From 2018, we have grown through franchising by empowering local entrepreneurs (franchisees) to build successful local businesses in each territory using our brand, in-house technology, processes and support. We are one of the few players that have successfully survived and thrived after COVID.
Today, Pass the Keys is
Our vision is to become the biggest short-let ecosystem globally by constantly improving the success of our hosts, guests and franchisees. Our near-term goal is to reach £100m in booking value by helping 100 franchisees exceed £1m in booking value. As we take on bigger management franchisees and focus more on international expansion, our longer-term goal is a £1 billion annual booking value.
Job Overview
We are looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO)/ Managing Director to help us accelerate our business in the UK and internationally. The successful candidate will report to the CEO/Founder and become his trusted strategic partner. You will be in charge of our Senior Management Team, responsible for leading all our teams. The role is similar to that of an 'Integrator' (as described in Gino Wickman’s Traction), meaning you will turn the company’s vision into execution, manage day-to-day operations with decisiveness and empathy, and hold the senior leadership team to high standards of accountability while building strong relationships.
The opportunity for the COO in Pass the Keys is to help shape our journey, realise our vision, and transform the industry. This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable with building systems that scale, improving accountability, and who prefers leading through influence more than hierarchy. Success in the role will include accelerating profitable growth and continuously improving the team.
Key Responsibilities/ Outcomes for the Role:
Leadership and team management, including
Ensuring the management team and each department is performing, hitting their goals (OKRs), and following the company's core processes
Managing HR processes and policies
Scaling up our operations and ensuring the success of our three stakeholders (guests, hosts and partners) through our partners (franchisees):
Executing strategies for the success of our three stakeholders: guests (success measured through reviews), hosts (measured through retention) and franchise partners (measured through partner growth, profitability and retention)
Experience
A successful candidate will demonstrate substantial experience and track record of success in managing the above responsibilities and achieving the above outcomes.
Bonus experience
Skills
Comfortable operating in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment
Effective communication with clarity, confidence and emotional intelligence
Problem-solving and strategy
Personality
Well-rounded person who can flex between different DISC colours
Ambitious and driven
Interview process
Please submit your CV together with a short letter describing why this role resonates with you, the leadership principles that guide you and how you believe you could contribute to our next stage of growth. Interviews are planned for second half of August 2026.
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Full-service short-term rental management service
Pass the Keys provides full-service property management for short-term rentals. It handles everything from listing creation and pricing optimization to 24/7 guest support, cleaning, and maintenance, enabling property owners to maximize rental income with less hands-on work. The product works by using technology to manage listings, optimize rates, coordinate guest communications, and arrange on-the-ground services, offering a seamless experience for hosts and guests. It differentiates itself from competitors by offering an end-to-end, tech-enabled management solution that scales across multiple properties and supports owners with 24/7 operations. The company’s goal is to simplify short-term rental management for property owners and grow its service footprint, helping hosts earn more with less effort.
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