Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Our client is a rapidly growing financial services and technology company operating across complex African markets. As the organization expands its institutional partnerships, lending programs, banking relationships, and market opportunities, we are seeking a transformational Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help build the operational infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth. This role is designed for a leader who can transform strategy into execution, create structure within ambiguity, and build systems that enable the company to scale beyond founder-dependent operations. Job Summary The COO will serve as the central integrator between strategy and execution, ensuring that organizational priorities are translated into measurable outcomes. This executive will design and implement operating systems, establish accountability frameworks, and lead cross-functional execution across the business. The successful candidate will be responsible for building an institution capable of managing large-scale opportunities, strategic partnerships, and complex operational initiatives while reducing reliance on founder intervention. Job Responsibilities Strategic Execution & Operational Leadership Translate strategic priorities into actionable execution plans. Develop clear ownership structures, accountability systems, and performance metrics Establish company-wide operating rhythms, reporting frameworks, and decision-making processes. Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks before they impact business performance. Ensure all major initiatives have defined owners, timelines, dependencies, and escalation pathways. Organizational Development & Institutionalization Build scalable systems that support growth and organizational resilience. Reduce dependence on informal processes and founder-driven coordination. Introduce effective operational structures without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and problem-solving across teams. Cross-Functional Operations Management Coordinate execution across Engineering, Risk, Operations, Compliance, and other business units. Establish daily, weekly, and monthly management review processes. Create escalation protocols that improve organizational responsiveness and decision-making efficiency. Ensure operational readiness for institutional partners, commercial banks, investors, and regulatory stakeholders. Leadership & Talent Development Identify organizational capability gaps and workforce requirements. Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing managers and leaders. Establish performance standards and accountability expectations. Make strategic personnel and organizational decisions when required. Build a leadership team capable of operating independently and effectively. Strategic Initiatives The COO may oversee initiatives involving: Banking and institutional financing facilities Government and public-sector programs Strategic partnerships and alliances Market expansion initiatives Large-scale lending operations Technology and operational integrations First 90 Days Priorities Audit founder-dependent operational activities and identify critical dependencies. Establish a unified execution framework across ongoing strategic initiatives. Implement standardized KPIs, accountability systems, and escalation protocols. Improve decision-making speed and cross-functional coordination throughout the organization. Qualifications & Experience Preferred Qualifications Senior leadership experience in financial services, fintech, banking, consulting, technology, or high-growth organizations. Demonstrated success building, scaling, or restructuring operational systems. Strong strategic thinking combined with exceptional execution capabilities. Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing organizational transformation. Ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-changing, and ambiguous environments. Ideal Candidate Profile You are someone who: Thinks in systems rather than isolated tasks. Is highly comfortable operating in ambiguity. Naturally creates structure, accountability, and execution discipline. Can move seamlessly between strategic planning and operational detail. Has a track record of fixing, scaling, or transforming organizations. Is confident enough to challenge assumptions while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. Requires minimal supervision and proactively drives outcomes. Success Metrics Within 90 Days Critical organizational dependencies are identified and addressed. Operational risks and bottlenecks are mapped and prioritized. Foundational systems and accountability structures are established. Within 6 Months Major initiatives have clear ownership and measurable outcomes. A consistent operating cadence is functioning across the organization. Operational issues are increasingly resolved without CEO intervention. Within 12 Months The company can effectively manage significantly larger opportunities and partnerships. Operational execution is institutionalized and scalable. Founder dependency is substantially reduced across core business functions.