Chief Operating Officer (COO)

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS); Western Cape; Presencial; ZAR 1.000.000 - 1.800.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) invites applications for a Chief Operating Officer to lead financial and administrative operations in Muizenberg. The role focuses on building scalable processes, improving efficiency, and aligning operations with AIMS’s strategic goals.

You will translate the Executive Director’s vision into actionable plans across finance, HR, facilities and programmes, and drive transformational change with strong leadership and project management.

Formación

• Experience in change management and growth-phase startups.

Responsabilidades

• Work with the Executive Director in leadership, management and effective operation to achieve strategic goals.
• Ensure effective operational controls, streamlined workflows, reporting procedures, systems and resources to improve efficiency and position.
• Drive transformational change and build productive partnerships, both internally and externally.
• Lead day-to-day operations across the departments of financial operations, people and culture, facility management and other key corporate functions.
• Manage resources including budget allocation and financial planning, staffing and performance management to ensure efficient, cost-effective operations.

Descripción del empleo

Job Description

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a residential graduate mathematics institute in Muizenberg. We teach around 90 structured Master’s students each year, as well as research-based Master’s and PhD students in the exciting areas of Artificial Intelligence and the broader mathematical sciences. Our research centre hosts postdoctoral fellows and other research staff. Our students are drawn from across Africa. AIMS is unique in that the courses are taught by international lecturers, who are leaders in their field, and who stay on site with our students in an immersive teaching experience for 3-4 weeks at a time.

We are searching for a versatile chief operating officer (COO) with strong leadership skills and experience in change management. Ideally, the COO should have experience in the growth phase of early-stage startups and be comfortable with laying foundational organisational infrastructure.

The COO will provide leadership for the financial and administrative operations of AIMS, supporting infrastructure, services, people and culture, and special initiatives that support AIMS’s research growth. A primary focus will be on optimising internal processes, improving efficiency and ensuring the organisation’s operations align with AIMS strategic goals. The COO will play a key role in helping to implement AIMS’s vision, strategic goals, objectives and values, and will play a critical role in translating the Executive Director’s vision into actionable plans and ensuring the smooth execution of those plans across the departments of AIMS.

The ideal candidate should be passionate about driving operational excellence, and have a strong financial and project management background.

Duties & Responsibilities

Objectives of this role

1. Work with AIMS’s Executive Director in the leadership, management and effective operation of AIMS to facilitate the achievement of AIMS strategic short and long-term goals.
2. Ensure that effective operational controls, streamlined workflows, reporting procedures, systems, and resources are in place to improve the operational efficiencies, effectiveness and strategic position of AIMS.
3. Drive transformational change and build productive partnerships, both internally and externally.
4. Lead AIMS’s day-to-day operations, especially across the departments of financial operations, people and culture (human resources), facility management and other key corporate functions.
5. Be responsible for managing resources effectively, including budget allocation and financial planning, staffing and performance management, and resource allocation, to ensure that AIMS operates efficiently and cost-effectively.

To apply, please submit a cover letter motivating your application.

The closing date for applications is 31 May 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.