Divisional Chief Operating Officer

**Main purpose of the job**:

- Development and oversight of Wits RHI’s overall administrative and operations management strategy and drives the development and realization of the organization’s strategic goals
- The incumbent will coordinate and lead strategy development, enabling the organization to remain relevant and responsive to the internal and external environment
- The incumbent will identify new and sustainable opportunities that will grow Wits RHI’s footprint nationally and regionally
- The incumbent will also work through the respective Directorates to build cross-functional cooperation and drive strategic alignment and delivery in so far as new business opportunities
- The role will further manage communication with key stakeholders to increase the business visibility and reputation, leveraging intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the donor/funder environment and the company's mission

**Location**:

- **Hugh Solomon Building, Hillbrow, Johannesburg**

**Key performance areas**:

- Strategy, Vision, and Leadership_
- Lead the development of Wits RHI’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization in consultation with the ED and other Directors
- Advise the Executive Director (ED) and other key members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, and policy matters
- Serve as the management liaison to the Wits Health Consortium in respect to the SLA delivery in matters related to finance, HR, and legal
- Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the ED informed of all critical issues
- Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly in operational contract negotiations
- Provide strategic and operational support to Wits RHI’s space planning processes, including the ongoing review and development of new space
- Ensure internal management reporting capabilities are developed and optimally operational, including the RHI risk register and balanced scorecard
- Strategic Business Development_
- Lead the business development strategy for the organization
- Be proactive in identifying new funding opportunities aligned to the strategic objectives of the organization, in conjunction and relevant Directors
- Support grants writing in coordination with WHC by ensuring relevant resources are available
- Communicate with prospective donors to establish a funding pipeline and address challenges arising during grant writing and submission processes
- Develop and maintain a business sustainability strategy incorporating future opportunities to develop, showcase and grow the Wits RHI footprint
- Champion the creation and ongoing development of the Inner-City Hub with practical business and project planning to ensure traction and delivery of outcomes
- Stakeholder Management_
- Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships
- Take initiative to develop and support strategic joint collaborations with WHC and other syndicates and Wits University that are synergistic and beneficial to Wits RHI
- Be proactive in seeking and maintaining strategic relationships with the local Department of Health, regional and global health ministries and organizations, existing and prospective funders, alliance partners, etc.
- Create opportunities to network within the community of partners/donors/governments of interest to Wits RHI
- Increase awareness of the Wits RHI portfolio to stakeholders to attract funding
- Operations Management Oversight_
- Ensure an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, and procedures across all Operations Departments are developed and optimally applied
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Information Systems and Technology (IT/IS) portfolio
- Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual operations budget process
- Ensure that RHI is adhering to the strategic plan, delivering status reports to the Steerco
- Provide analytical support to all RHI governance structures including the Management Committee and the Steering Committee
- Communications Strategy Management Oversight_
- Lead the development of an internal and external communication strategy
- Provide input into the branding of Wits RHI and promote this brand internally and externally
- Ensure the interests of the organization are communicated
- Recruit key communications staff to establish an effective communications department within Wits RHI
- Management oversight of the Communications Team ensuring Company strategic goals are met and daily operational communications are optimized
- Provide oversight on communication within and outside of the organization
- Staff Management and Leadership_
- Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the finance (grant management), communications and operations teams
- Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
- Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development
- Establish and monitor staff perform