Chief Operations Officer, Multi-National SME Finance & Development

EXECUTIVE SEARCH STATUS:

Completed

POSITION:

NATURE OF BUSINESS:

JOB LOCATION:

Chief Operations Officer (Africa Focused)

Multi-National SME Finance & Development

Pretoria

JOB LOCATION: Pretoria

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

TOTAL STAFF RESPONSIBILITY: 80 People based in 7 African countries. The aim is to grow this to 20 African countries.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: US$250 million (funds under management), US$40 million (annual disbursements). Funds under management to increase US$1 billion over next 5-7 years.

SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE OPPORTUNITY:

Assume responsibility for:

Expanding a successful business in Africa
Planning, developing and implementing operations strategy for operational management and development so as to meet the Strategic Management
Plan within agreed budgets and timescales Establishing and maintaining appropriate systems for measuring necessary aspects of operational management and development
Monitoring, measuring and reporting on operational issues, opportunities and development plans and achievements within agreed formats and timescales
Managing and developing direct reporting staff
Managing and controlling departmental expenditure within agreed budgets
Liaising with other managers so as to understand all necessary aspects and needs of operational development, and to ensure they are fully informed of operational objectives, purposes and achievements
Contributing to the evaluation and development of operational strategy and performance in co-operation with the executive team
Ensuring activities meet with and integrate with organisational requirements for quality management, health and safety, legal stipulations, environmental policies and general duty of care
Where appropriate, representing the Company to the external market, as well as internally through the application of community relations and marketing activities
Developing new business strategies to enhance market share and improve overall performance
Expanding the company's outreach activities and referral networks to ensure effective partnerships are formed

GROUP BACKGROUND:

The Company is a global leader and expert in growth finance, with a proven track record of growing successful small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa and the Middle East. It has US$250 million funds under management and employs over 100 staff with growth ambitions of reaching US$1 billion funds under management operating in 20 countries. The company's investor base includes leading international finance institutions.

KEY EXECUTIVE ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

At least 10 years experience in the financial services or commercial sectors, five of which should have been in a hands-on operations management role
Experience of growing and building a business, ideally in Africa or in territories with continually changing regulatory environments
Should ideally have managed multiple business units
Exposure to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) environment would be advantageous
A relevant postgraduate / professional qualification is essential (e.g. Master of Business Administration or Chartered Accountant (South Africa))
P&L management, cost control, driving for business results: “entrepreneurship at the local level”
Strategic skills to align the local business to Group strategies as well as contributing to the development of these strategies
Good ability to implement and execute strategies
Good ability to implement and execute strategies
Strong commercial acumen and sound knowledge of credit risk and financial management, budgeting and strategic planning
The ability to develop and implement formal disciplines, processes and controls across different country operations

KEY JOB PERFORMANCE AREAS:

Group Strategy

Put forward proposals on key strategic issues facing the company; for example market entry, product expansion

Communicate and build commitment to implement strategic direction among internal constituents (management)

Translate and deploy the vision, strategy and performance targets for the Africa operations into business plans and performance targets

Operations Management

Manage the operations of the company in ways consistent with strategic goals through building and implementing systemic processes
Monitor the progress of the operations against performance targets and organize counter-measures when required
Manage the infrastructure required to support operating units
Manage resources, including people and capital across operating units

Corporate Image

Develop successful alliances and partnerships
Protect and build brand integrity
Translate corporate vision and strategy into organizational policies, directives and procedures
Ensure implementation and monitor effectiveness of policies, directives and procedures

Budget Accountability:

Control the budget for the Africa operations in accordance with the business plan, report on deviations and obtain approval
Achieve the annual investment and business development target as cascaded by the board
Maintain a healthy balance sheet in the countries for both the company and the funds under management

Process Management:

Assume responsibility for the business plan for the Africa operations
Agree on targets and take responsibility for the overall performance objectives for the Africa Operations
Agree on targets and take accountability for the overall performance objectives
Ensure that core business processes are in place and working effectively Integrate company-wide business processes (core, support, management processes)
Ensure effective management processes such as decision making and conflict resolution are in place at all levels
Ensure that quality tools and methods are used in managing the local offices

People Management

Manage the attraction and retention of a high performance team
Manage performance, including staff recognition timeously and effectively
Work closely with the General Managers and provide them with leadership and support to develop and grow their businesses
Create an empowering environment, encouraging individual ownership and initiative
Build and develop a high performance team through embedding performance and coaching
Determine and manage training needs analysis and succession plans for all staff
Manage resources in the operating units

General Management

Ensure that the Countries’ operations are headed by high calibre individuals possessing the correct level of skills, education and experience and ensure optimisation of the organisation's structure, manpower and performance
Manage the external environment and enhance the reputation of the company
Ensure fund agreements are adhered to Set a vision for the company's in-country business, gaining alignment, maintaining morale and team spirit and focusing on priorities
Align local businesses to the Group's strategy, contribute to the development of these strategies, implement and execute the strategies
Model the values of the company

Contribution to the Company's Overall Success

Actively participate in management meetings Exchange knowledge, implement process and product improvements and other corporate initiatives
Establish and maintain effective stakeholder relations Where appropriate, represent the
Company to the external market, as well as internally through the application of community relations and marketing activities
The position is ideal for an individual who has a forte for building, implementing and managing operations