Chief Operating Officer; COO

Our reputable client is seeking a highly experienced and commercially astute Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join their Executive Leadership team.

The successful candidate will act as a key strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and will be responsible for translating the organization’s strategy into effective enterprise-wide execution.

This is a senior executive position with responsibility for operational performance, organizational effectiveness, operating model design, enterprise readiness, transformation, governance, risk, resilience, and continuous improvement
.

A key initial priority will be ensuring enterprise and operational readiness for the organization’s planned 2027 launch
, while establishing a scalable and sustainable operating model capable of supporting future growth.

The COO will work closely with the Executive Committee and key functions including Product, Technology, Credit, Payments, Risk, Compliance and Finance
.

• Grade 12.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification in Business Management, Operations Management, Finance, Commerce, Information Systems, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in Business Administration, Management, Operations, Risk or Finance will be advantageous.
• MBA or equivalent senior management qualification will be highly advantageous.
• Additional qualifications in Operations, Risk, Compliance, Project Management or Business Process Management will be advantageous.

• Minimum 10+ years' relevant professional experience
  , with significant exposure to operational and/or enterprise leadership.
• Minimum 5 years' experience at Senior Management or Executive level
  .
• Proven experience designing, implementing, or transforming enterprise operating models
  .
• Experience with in a regulated financial services, fintech, payments, or similarly complex environment
  .
• Experience leading enterprise or operational readiness for a major product, platform, business, or organizational launch
  .
• Proven experience leading cross-functional transformation and strategic execution initiatives
  .
• Strong experience in operational risk, resilience, controls, and governance
  .
• Experience managing significant operational teams and/or multiple business functions.
• Previous experience operating as a member of an Executive Committee, Board, or equivalent senior governance forum
  .
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Experience managing significant third-party and vendor dependencies
  .
• Experience operating within a high-growth, technology-enabled environment
  .
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into measurable execution and business outcomes.
• Strong command of English and Afrikaans
  .

• Partner with the CEO and Executive Committee in developing and executing the organization’s overall strategy.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear execution plans, objectives, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
• Drive organizational alignment and accountability for strategic delivery.
• Identify and resolve cross-functional barriers affecting execution.

• Own and continuously develop the enterprise operating model.
• Align people, processes, systems, technology, governance, and organizational structures with strategic objectives.
• Establish clear accountability, ownership, and decision-making structures.
• Drive end-to-end process optimization and continuous improvement.

• Lead enterprise readiness for the organization’s planned 2027 launch
  .
• Ensure people, processes, systems, controls, governance, and operational capabilities are launch-ready.
• Establish readiness criteria, milestones, dependencies, and escalation mechanisms.
• Manage…