Chief Operating Officer

Gijima Holdings; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 4,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Gijima Holdings is seeking an accomplished executive to lead a major transformation and turnaround across the business in Gauteng, South Africa. The role requires steering performance, innovation and growth while ensuring operational stability and effective execution across multiple divisions.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate deep experience in leading change, developing and delivering local and international strategies, and driving a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Leadership/Business Management or related field.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Science or related STEM discipline.
• Minimum 15 years' leadership/management experience.
• Minimum 5 years' senior management experience.
• Minimum 5 years' executive management experience.
• Proven track record in developing, negotiating and executing local and international strategies.
• Experience leading turnaround and transformation programmes.
• Advanced project management capabilities including resource optimisation and culture change.

Responsibilities

• Lead organisational turnaround and transformation initiatives.
• Drive business growth, revenue generation and commercial leadership.
• Oversee large-scale transformation, innovation and operational improvement.
• Stabilise and modernise the organisation while improving customer experience and performance.

Skills

Organisational turnaround

Transformation leadership

Strategic execution

People leadership

Project management

Education

Master's Degree (NQF Level 9) in Leadership/Business Management

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Science/STEM

Job description

The Opportunity

The organisation is at a critical point in its journey and requires a leader who can build on existing transformation initiatives, accelerate execution and create momentum across the business. The successful candidate will be expected to hit the ground running and lead the organisation into its next phase of performance, innovation and growth.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Leading organisational transformation and modernisation across the business.
• Driving visible and immediate improvements in customer service delivery and turnaround times.
• Accelerating digital transformation initiatives and ensuring operational alignment with technology-enabled change.
• Identifying and addressing revenue leakages while implementing innovative revenue-generation strategies.
• Strengthening operational performance, accountability and execution discipline across multiple divisions.
• Driving the organisation's sustainability agenda and supporting long-term commercial viability.
• Leading significant recapitalisation and infrastructure renewal programmes, including a large-scale laboratory recapitalisation initiative.
• Building high-performing teams and fostering a culture that embraces innovation, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

The Ideal Candidate

We are interested in speaking with accomplished executives who can demonstrate:

• A proven track record of organisational turnaround and transformation.
• Experience
• The ability to lead organisations through significant change while maintaining operational stability and performance.
• Strong business development, revenue growth and commercial leadership capability.
• Experience driving strategic initiatives from concept through execution and delivery.
• Exceptional people leadership skills with the ability to influence established teams and drive culture change.
• Extensive experience in project execution, innovation, transformation and operational improvement.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's Degree (NQF Level 9) in Leadership, Business Management or a related field.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Science or a related STEM discipline.
• Minimum 15 years' relevant business management or similar leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years' senior management experience.
• Minimum 5 years' executive management experience.
• Proven track record in developing, negotiating and executing local and international business strategies.
• Demonstrated success leading portfolios within a medium-sized revenue-generating organisation.
• Proven experience managing organisational turnaround and transformation programmes.
• Advanced project management capabilities, including resource optimisation, innovation and culture change initiatives.

Highly Advantageous

• Engineering, Science or other STEM-based leadership experience.
• Experience within technical, engineering, scientific, quality, standards, testing, certification or conformity assessment environments.
• Exposure to Public Private Partnerships, project financing, capital raising and major recapitalisation programmes.
• Strong knowledge of governance, compliance and regulatory frameworks applicable to public-sector entities.

Leadership Profile

The successful individual will be a transformational leader who combines strategic vision with strong execution capability. They will be innovative, results-oriented and capable of stabilising, modernising and moving an organisation forward while delivering tangible improvements in customer experience, operational performance and financial sustainability.