Chief Operations Officer

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a strategically focused position, which will form part of the Executive Management team and report into the CEO. The COO will support the CEO in translating strategic objectives into measurable tactical and operational plans for execution in line with investor commitments. The COO will be responsible for the design, implementation, and oversight of the clients' operating model ensuring that the people, processes, and systems are well organized, coordinated and aligned to deliver on the clients' strategic objectives.

The client exists to fuel early stage-tech start-ups across Africa and is undergoing its next phase of growth, therefore this role requires someone who is able to coordinate activities across the various disciplines within our model as well as coordinate activities across offices in the countries in which we operate. Establishing clear policies, processes, and frameworks to guide teams on various activities across the client while standardizing how we work will be critical.

The incumbent will optimize the company’s operating capabilities and implement effective operational and financial procedures that support efficient and cost-effective delivery of our Venture programs. This role will ensure that the clients' staff are fully supported, fully understand their roles and responsibilities, and have the appropriate tools and technology to enable them to do their best work.

**The COO will oversee all areas of operational execution, which will include**:

- Defining the clients' operating model that is fit for purpose
- Identifying key capabilities and implementing strategies required for the successful delivery of the clients' company goals.
- Overall oversight and management of the Operational environment which includes being responsible for managing the People, Legal and operations functions within the client.
- Setting key drivers and OKRs that enable the company to meet its key objectives and investor targets.
- Support the CEO with operational expansion to other markets
- Support Build and Scale programs to ensure they are organized to deliver efficiently and in line with investor expectations.
- Develop a data-centric and integrated systeM/Framework for better programmatic engagement and delivery.
- Developing appropriate governance structures and feedback loops to ensure internal and external flow of information is optimized and is in line with the of all stakeholders.
- Development of appropriate policies, processes, and controls to ensure smooth of the business.
- Accountable for People, values and culture and People operations working closely with Head of People to implement best people practices across the client and its portfolio businesses.
- Responsible for compliance across different jurisdictions in which the client operates.
- Reporting to the Board on operations of the business including Build and Scale progress, Brand, general operations, people, legal matters
- Identifying appropriate resources required to ensure the clients' staff are enabled to deliver to strategic objectives in an efficient manner
- Responsible for the clients' enterprise-wide risk management
- Enabling a sustainable Agile approach across teams and functions

**SKILLS REQUIRED**:

- Minimum 10 years’ experience managing Operations
- Experience managing operations for a start-up
- Experience managing operations and building teams, processes, and systems in a high-growth company, across multiple geographies.
- Experience in operating models
- Experience managing multiple offices and diverse cultures in different geographies
- Experience setting KPIs systems and processing and enforcing them for an organization
- Experience building a strong team and coordinating different functions.
- Experience identifying technology products and solutions for efficient operations
- Excellent Management and Leadership skills
- Strong change management experience
- Excellent quality control and process improvement skills
- Experienced in managing operational and strategic risks and implementing thereof
- Understanding of early-stage businesses in Africa
- Strong project management skills
- Strong change management skills
- Strategically focused with strong critical thinking and reasoning skills
- Highly resilient and adaptable
- Solutions orientated with excellent problem identification and problem-solving Skills

**NOTES**

An added advantage would be
- Strategy on expansion and have executed expansion into another market.
- Have a specific technical background e.g., Finance, Product, Project Management, being a founder before, Operations, tech, partnerships, sales, etc.

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Gauteng, Gauteng: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (required)