CEO Strategy & Governance Partner

SmartStart South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartStart South Africa seeks a Chief of Staff to act as a strategic extension of the CEO, enhancing leverage and capacity while leading governance, operations and expansion readiness. The role creates impact by translating strategic intent into structured action and ensuring disciplined follow- through across the organisation.

The ideal candidate will bring high agency, strong judgment, and a proven ability to work with the CEO, EXCO and Board to prioritise decisions, manage senior stakeholders

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent senior professional experience in strategy, governance, public policy or organisational leadership.
• Experience advising CEOs or senior executives with governance exposure.
• Ability to lead across functions without centralising authority.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted strategic partner to the CEO and coordinate the CEO’s strategic agenda.
• Lead the Office of the CEO, governance and enterprise operations.
• Oversee legal, governance, risk and regulatory interfaces and escalation.
• Coordinate Board materials, governance processes and strategic initiatives.
• Prepare for external engagements and manage expansion readiness beyond South Africa.

Skills

Executive judgement

Structured thinking

Stakeholder management

High agency

Non-defensiveness

Leadership

Communication

Synthesis

Decision support

Ambiguity management

Education

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent

Job description

SmartStart South Africa seeks a Chief of Staff to act as a strategic extension of the CEO, enhancing leverage and capacity while leading governance, operations and expansion readiness. The role creates impact by translating strategic intent into structured action and ensuring disciplined follow- through across the organisation.

The ideal candidate will bring high agency, strong judgment, and a proven ability to work with the CEO, EXCO and Board to prioritise decisions, manage senior stakeholders