Group Chief Executive Officer

Overall Purpose of the Job:

To play a critical leadership role in the provision of direction and vision in the delivery of Company:

• As the leader for the whole of Company, the Group CEO has the responsibility to drive the strategic direction and external relations for the organisation.
• Responsible for setting the strategy, vision and objectives for the broader organisation and continuing the growth trajectory of the group.
• Accountability towards shareholders and the board and is responsible for the success of the Group in accordance with direction and policies established by the Board/Group Non-Executive Chairman.
• To provide direction enabling all companies within the Group portfolio to carry out their functions and to ensure each company in the group meets Return on Investment thresholds.
• The CEO should be a great cultural leader in galvanizing the teams in the portfolio companies and Group. The Group CEO must also possess the competence and credibility to manage a wide range of key stakeholders external to the group diligently.

Education: Formal Qualification Required

MBA in Strategic Management or a Business-Related field

Post-graduate qualification in IT, Commerce, Engineering or Business Management

Ideal:

Member of recognised professional Institute Nationally, Regionally or Internationally

Training and Knowledge

Minimum:

• Long, medium and short term strategic and business planning and operations as well as finance, business operations, mergers and acquisitions, deal origination and optimal structuring and exit experience, along with strong negotiation skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of the fishing, gaming or energy industries and competitor activities and functions within the National, Regional and International arenas
• An entrepreneurial mindset with outstanding organizational and leadership skills
• Experience within an investment-focused environment

Ideal:

• Strategic and financial planning and control of the Group and its subsidiaries and investment portfolio
• Make high-quality investing decisions to advance the Group and maximise profits

Experience (Minimum Experience Required - type and number of years)

• Relevant work experience with leading edge multi-sector industrial organisations and operating at senior executive levels (15 years)
• Strategic leadership and direction of similar size organisation within the South African or Regional environment (10 +)
• Industrial sector experience (5+)

Business Strategy And Planning:

• Continuously evaluate short, medium and long-term strategic objectives for the organisation to ensure the attainment of the long-term goals.

- (3-year group strategy)

• Engage with the Board and key shareholders to ensure alignment between the organisational strategy and their expectations.

- (Board Meetings Shareholder engagements)

• Identify new or underserved markets and/or assets for the Group’s growth through ongoing analysis, scanning of potential markets as well as ongoing conversations with key shareholders and strategic customers.

- % increase in market share and revenues

• Develop the overarching strategic direction and plan for Company. Define key operational plans and targets in consultation with the Group Executive Team that will ensure these goals are met and exceeded.

- % increase in market share and revenues

• Develop concrete plans for the ongoing investment in the required infrastructure and projects needed to drive strategic execution of Company. To ensure sustainable financial performance of all subsidiaries.

- CAPEX, OPEX budgets

• Ensure implementation and compliance of the requisite organisational policies and processes, legal requirements and governance best practice at all times.

- Company Policies, Compliance Reports

Business Operations:

• Engage with the Board and Executive Chairman on a regular basis to provide feedback regarding the performance of the organisation and to provide input as required to ensure all governance, risk and fiduciary duties and obligations are met.

- Board attendance

• Set strategy, goals and objectives and annual plans and targets with subsidiary Managing Directors and ensure that operations are managed, and targets met on a quarterly basis.

- Subsidiary Annual Plans

• Ensure the dividend flow from the investment portfolio meets set targets.

- Dividend flows

• Serve on investment and subsidiary Boards as required and ensure corrective measures are applied where required.

- Dividend and turnover requirements

• Engage with Chief Investment Officer to proactively develop and adjust Group investment strategy in terms of active and passive investment portfolios

- Dividend, turnover and growth requirements

People Development and Management:

• Oversee the development of the Group organisational culture, structure and processes, in collaboration with the Group Executive Team.

- Structure and processes

• Engage with and challenge individual members of the Group Executive Team, members (including drawing up development plans) to drive excellence at all times.

- Target achievement

• Set the targets for diversity and inclusion with the Group Executive Team and ensure that compliance with local legislation is always maintained.

- Target achievement

• Establish standards of performance and performance management including performance improvement plans. Achievement of KPIs
• Ensure that a Succession Plan is in place for all key positions as identified.

- Key Succession Plan

Profitability and Operational Efficiency:

• Drive and foster an organization-wide focus on innovation and efficiency to ensure improved margins and improvements in subsidiary market offerings.

- % Growth in Market Share

• Identify potential cross-subsidiary collaboration opportunities that would drive the strategic objectives of Company. Embed these collaborative opportunities into the goals and objectives of the subsidiaries

- % Growth in Revenue

• Drive a focus on key accounts, strategic potential customers and the broader industry segments to ensure that Company remains a critical influencer in the markets in which it is involved.
• Collaborate with the Group Executive Team to build an understanding of the profitability and efficiency of the entire Group and look for opportunities to improve profitability for Company.

- Achievement of ROI Benchmarks

• Risk management – understand, outline and manage the key risks identified in the Group (including subsidiaries and portfolio companies) to report and raise in the appropriate forums. Proactively manage these risks and ensure mitigating actions and/ or policies are implemented and executed by the appropriate teams.

Governance, Risk and Compliance:

• Drive the development of and coordinate the implementation of appropriate service standards and SLAs and task key executives with compliance to them.

- % compliance adherence

• Develop the structure for appropriate controls and effective governance in accordance with regulatory requirements.

- Group strategy

• Manage and report on risk and compliance. % adherence to regulatory requirements, audit exceptions
• Ensure implementation and compliance of the requisite Group policies and processes, legal requirements and governance best practice.

- Company Policies, Compliance Reports

Competencies (Skills and Behavioural Attributes):

• Ability to analyse complex data and formulate meaningful insights.
• Ability to set realistic expectations around cost and timing (projects).
• Ability to identify potential business and enable business capability.
• Ability to drive cross-functional collaboration, develop cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working towards solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.
• Well-developed relationship-building skills.
• Strong conflict management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication skills – ability to understand business needs and communicate complex systems simply.
• Ability to negotiate and achieve targets
• Corporate Strategy and external stakeholder Management
• Ability to lead effectively by demonstrating personal drive and strategic thinking.