Special Project Manager - Department of Special Projects

The Special Project Manager operates as a high-trust execution proxy for the CEO, responsible for leading high-stakes, non-routine initiatives that carry strategic and reputational significance. The role exists to convert high-uncertainty ideas into disciplined, de‑risked, and execution‑ready initiatives, ensuring speed without compromising governance, credibility, or institutional integrity. This role is inherently time‑bound by project, not operational. Success is defined by the ability to structure ambiguity, enable executive decisions, and transition initiatives cleanly into operational ownership.

• Independently structure initiatives, pilots, and execution plans
• Engage and coordinate internal teams and external stakeholders within approved mandates
• Recommend go / no‑go decisions, escalation paths, and transition readiness
• Final approvals on strategic direction, external commitments, and scope changes remain with the CEO

This role is a launchpad for senior leadership, transformation leadership, or general management roles
. Exposure to complex, CEO‑level initiatives provides accelerated strategic maturity and executive visibility.

• Take end‑to‑end ownership of CEO‑sponsored initiatives from Exploration → Build → Pilot → Transition
• Translate ambiguous ideas into structured initiatives with defined objectives, success criteria, sequencing, and risk logic
• Ensure initiatives progress rapidly while maintaining governance discipline and institutional credibility
• Act on behalf of the CEO in high‑stakes internal and external environments
• Coordinate across internal functions including Legal, Finance, HR, Operations, PMO, and Executive Office
• Engage directly with external stakeholders such as ministries, regulators, and international partners
• Protect the CEO's authority, positioning, and intent in all engagements
• Break down complex, unstructured problems into clear work streams and decision paths
• Produce Initiative One‑Pagers, executive briefs, and decision packs that reduce CEO cognitive load
• Anticipate second‑ and third‑order implications before escalation
• Operate as a digital power user, leveraging advanced proficiency in documents, slides, trackers, and research tools
• Apply AI‑assisted analysis and synthesis frameworks to improve speed, accuracy, and quality of outputs
• Maintain control over logic and judgment while using AI as an execution accelerator, not a substitute
• Design and lead Build & Pilot phases to test assumptions in real‑world conditions
• Generate decision‑grade evidence to determine whether initiatives should scale, iterate, or stop
• Ensure pilots are intentionally designed to answer strategic questions, not just "try things out"
• Prepare comprehensive SOP packs, governance models, role definitions, and training materials
• Ensure initiatives are handed over cleanly into operational departments or long‑term structures
• Exit projects deliberately once transition criteria are met
• Handle sensitive initiatives with absolute confidentiality
• Exercise sound judgment in politically, financially, or institutionally sensitive contexts
• Uphold the credibility of the Office of the CEO at all times

• Bachelor's degree required; postgraduate qualification is an advantage
• Background in strategy, transformation, consulting, special projects, or CEO office environments preferred
• Proven experience leading high‑ambiguity, cross‑functional initiatives
• Direct exposure to senior leadership or CEO‑level decision‑making
• Experience engaging external institutions or senior stakeholders
• Exceptional structuring and synthesis capability
• Strong written and verbal executive communication
• Outcome‑driven, disciplined, and highly reliable
• High discretion and professional maturity