Chief Operating Officer

Construction Education & Training Authority; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Construction Education & Training Authority seeks a COO to provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring effective strategy implementation, governance, risk management and operational excellence. The role oversees Risk & Compliance and the Office of the CEO to align objectives with legislative and governance frameworks.

The COO will translate strategy into operational plans, monitor performance, manage budgets, and drive cross-functional collaboration while supporting executive

Qualifications

• Experience leading strategy across large organisations.
• Ability to oversee risk, governance and compliance functions.
• Proven track record in change management and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong financial and resource management capabilities.
• Executive leadership with public-sector exposure.

Responsibilities

• Leads implementation of organisational strategy across the COO portfolio.
• Oversee organisational performance by monitoring key metrics, ensuring targets are met within budgets.
• Provides strategic advice to the CEO and Executive Management on operational matters.
• Drives process improvements and promotes best practices across the organisation.
• Ensures governance and compliance with applicable legislation and policies.
• Oversees risk reporting and monitoring of mitigation strategies.
• Leads development and monitoring of risk management frameworks across the organisation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance & risk

Stakeholder management

Change management

People management

Financial management

Job description

To provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation by ensuring effective implementation of organisational strategy, governance, risk management, and operational excellence. The COO oversees key functions including Risk & Compliance and the Office of the CEO, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and delivery of organisational objectives in line with legislative and governance frameworks.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leads the implementation of organisational strategy by translating strategic objectives into operational plans and ensuring alignment across all functions under the COO’s portfolio.
• Oversee organisational performance by monitoring key operational metrics and ensuring that targets are achieved within approved timelines and budgets.
• Provides strategic advice and support to the CEO and Executive Management on operational matters and organisational performance.
• Drives organisational efficiency by identifying process improvements, eliminating inefficiencies, and promoting best practices across the organisation.
• Ensures integration and coordination of cross‑functional activities to achieve organisational goals.
• Leads organisational change initiatives to enhance performance, culture, and service delivery.
• Ensures that operational risks are identified and managed proactively in alignment with organisational strategy.
• Provides oversight of the Risk & Compliance function to ensure effective enterprise risk management and compliance with applicable legislation and policies.
• Ensures the development, implementation, and monitoring of risk management frameworks and strategies across the organisation.
• Oversees compliance with PFMA, Treasury Regulations, and other regulatory requirements.
• Reviews risk reports and ensures that mitigation strategies are implemented and monitored effectively.
• Ensures that internal controls are established, maintained, and continuously improved.
• Provides assurance to the CEO and Board on the effectiveness of governance, risk, and compliance processes.
• Supports audit processes and ensures timely resolution of audit findings and recommendations.
• Oversee the functioning of the Office of the CEO to ensure effective coordination of executive activities and priorities.
• Ensures timely preparation and quality of reports, presentations, and submissions for executive and board meetings.
• Coordinates strategic projects and initiatives managed through the Office of the CEO.
• Ensures effective communication and information flow between the CEO, Executive Management, and stakeholders.
• Monitors implementation of CEO directives and decisions across the organisation.
• Supports stakeholder engagement and relationship management initiatives led by the CEO.
• Ensures that governance and administrative processes within the Office of the CEO are efficient and compliant.
• Oversees budget planning and utilisation for functions within the COO’s portfolio to ensure financial sustainability and efficiency.
• Monitors expenditure against budgets and ensures that resources are used effectively and in line with organisational priorities.
• Supports financial planning and decision‑making by providing insights and recommendations.
• Ensures compliance with financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Identifies cost‑saving opportunities and drives initiatives to improve financial performance.
• Ensures alignment between operational plans and financial resources.
• Reports on financial performance and risks to the CEO and relevant governance structures.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, regulators, and industry partners.
• Represents the organisation in stakeholder engagements, forums, and meetings as required.
• Ensures alignment of stakeholder expectations with organisational objectives and service delivery commitments.
• Facilitates collaboration with external stakeholders to enhance organisational impact and performance.
• Address stakeholder concerns and escalations in a timely and professional manner.
• Supports the CEO in high‑level stakeholder engagements and negotiations.
• Monitor stakeholder satisfaction and implements improvement initiatives where required.
• Build and lead an effective and cohesive team through the effective management of departmental resources.
• Lead the implementation of talent acquisition, succession planning, development, and retention strategies for the department.
• Lead the enhancement of relevant knowledge and skills through continuous coaching, mentoring and nurturing of departmental talent.
• Lead and drive a high‑performance culture by translating and communicating the annual performance goals and measures based on agreed upon objectives.
• Drive a working environment that augments employee engagement, recognition and productivity.

1. Core Competencies:

• Agility
• Result-Orientated
• Integrity
• Respect
• Professionalism
• Stakeholder Management
• Accountability
• Strategic Management
• People Management
• Risk and Compliance Management
• Change Management
• Governance, risk and compliance
• Strategic and operational planning
• Financial and resource management
• Public sector regulatory frameworks (PFMA, Treasury)