Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the COO will provide the leadership, systems, and operational discipline required to support the Group's continued expansion.

The COO will be responsible for driving operational excellence across the Group, translating strategic priorities into effective execution, and ensuring that our businesses, teams, systems, and processes operate with clarity, accountability, and consistency.

This is a senior leadership position for an accomplished operator who understands how to build structure within growing businesses, lead high-performing teams, improve operational performance, and turn business strategy into measurable results.

The Havana Group of Companies is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Executive Leadership:
• Identify opportunities to improve business performance, efficiency, profitability, and scalability.
• Lead the execution of company-wide initiatives and ensure alignment across business units and departments.
• Work closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to translate the Group's strategic objectives into actionable operational plans.
• Provide senior leadership with operational insights, recommendations, and performance reports to support informed decision-making.
• Support the development and execution of the Group's short- and long-term growth strategy.
• Operations & Business Performance:
• Establish clear operational standards, processes, workflows, and accountability structures.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure departmental and business performance.
• Drive a culture of ownership, accountability, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement practical solutions to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across the Group and ensure effective coordination between departments and business units.
• Ensure that company resources are effectively utilized and operational objectives are consistently achieved.
• People & Leadership:
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability mechanisms across the organization.
• Build and maintain a high-performance leadership culture.
• Provide leadership and direction to department heads and senior managers.
• Work with HR and department leaders to strengthen organizational structure, talent development, performance management, and employee productivity.
• Develop capable leaders who can independently manage and scale their functions.
• Systems, Processes & Governance:
• Ensure that departments operate according to established policies, procedures, and business standards.
• Maintain strong cross-functional communication and ensure effective information flow throughout the organization.
• Drive the adoption of technology and automation where it can improve operational efficiency.
• Evaluate existing business processes and implement systems that support efficiency, transparency, and scalability.
• Establish appropriate operational controls, reporting structures, and approval processes.
• Financial & Commercial Oversight:
• Ensure operational decisions are aligned with the Group's financial and strategic objectives.
• Work closely with the CEO and Finance team to monitor operational budgets, costs, revenue performance, and resource allocation.
• Monitor commercial performance across relevant business units and identify opportunities for growth.
• Support initiatives aimed at improving profitability and business sustainability.
• Growth & Expansion:
• Build scalable systems capable of supporting the organization's growth.
• Assess operational requirements for new initiatives and ensure appropriate structures are in place for successful execution.
• Establish strategic partnerships and relationships where necessary to support business objectives.
• Support the Group's expansion into new markets, products, and business opportunities.
• What We Are Looking For
• We are looking for an executive who combines strategic thinking with strong execution ability.
• The ideal candidate will have:
• Experience managing and developing senior managers and cross-functional teams.
• Proven experience managing operations across multiple departments, teams, or business units.
• 8+ years of progressive management and leadership experience, with significant experience in senior operational, general management, or executive roles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• An MBA or relevant advanced qualification is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience scaling or restructuring a growing organization.
• Strong understanding of organizational governance, risk management, and operational controls.
• Strong commercial and business acumen with an understanding of revenue, costs, profitability, and growth.
• High levels of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and accountability.
• A strong track record of implementing systems, processes, and performance structures.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong project and execution management capabilities.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
• The ability to make sound decisions, prioritize effectively, and operate in a fast-paced environment.
• What We Offer
• A high-impact leadership environment with the opportunity to build and scale.
• Competitive executive compensation and benefits.
• The opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing and diversified business group.
• Performance-based growth opportunities.
• Significant scope to shape systems, processes, teams, and operational culture.
• Direct exposure to executive-level strategy and decision-making.
• How to Apply
• Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV and a brief executive profile outlining their leadership experience and relevant achievements to:
• careers.havana@gmail.com
• using ''Application – Chief Operating Officer'' as the subject of the email.
• Note:
• Only candidates whose experience aligns with the requirements of the role will be contacted.
• Application Deadline:
• 31st October, 2026.
• View all Jobs in Nigeria
• Enugu State
• Chief Operating Officer job vacancies in Nigeria