Chief Operating Officer (Remote)

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Equity participation

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Remote-first

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to join the executive team in a remote-first role within South Africa. You will shape operational strategy, scale growth, and lead diverse, geographically dispersed teams with autonomy and accountability.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years in senior operations leadership, with proven success in remote workforce management, digital transformation, and stakeholder engagement at the highest level.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations.
• Experience in leading distributed/remote teams.
• Proven ability to drive growth and profitability through operational strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute overall operational strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee technology, customer service, supply chain, and internal processes.
• Lead and mentor a global team of leaders and staff.
• Drive efficiency via innovative operational strategies and best practices.
• Manage significant operational budgets and financial discipline.
• Implement KPIs to monitor performance and identify improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

Remote Leadership

Budget Management

Stakeholder Management

Change Management

Education

Master's degree

Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

CRM platforms

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an exceptional and highly experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa, with a focus on driving operational strategy and execution for a globally-minded organization. The COO will be instrumental in shaping the company's operational direction, fostering a culture of high performance, and ensuring scalable growth across all business functions. The role requires a visionary leader with a proven track record in managing complex operations, optimizing processes, and leading diverse, geographically dispersed teams. This is a critical role for an individual passionate about operational excellence and digital transformation in a remote-first environment. The successful candidate will operate with a high degree of autonomy, influencing key strategic decisions from a remote perspective.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's overall operational strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Oversee all aspects of operations, including technology, customer service, supply chain, and internal processes.
• Lead and mentor a global team of leaders and operational staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Drive efficiency and effectiveness through the implementation of innovative operational strategies and best practices.
• Manage significant operational budgets, ensuring financial discipline and cost optimization.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and industry standards.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives to enhance operational capabilities and customer experience.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO and executive team on strategic planning and execution.
• Act as a key point of contact for external stakeholders, investors, and partners regarding operational matters.

Requirements

• Master's degree or equivalent advanced qualification in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in operations management, with at least 7 years in a C-suite or senior executive role (COO, VP Operations).
• Extensive experience in managing operations for companies with a distributed or remote workforce is essential.
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful operational strategies that drive growth and profitability.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated experience in leading large, diverse and remote teams effectively.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in modern operational management tools and technologies.
• Strong understanding of digital transformation and its impact on operations.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive executive compensation package, including a substantial base salary, performance-based bonuses and significant equity participation. Comprehensive benefits include top-tier health insurance, retirement savings plans and generous paid time off. Our client is committed to employee development, offering extensive opportunities for continuous learning, leadership training and attending industry conferences. As a fully remote position it offers unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance. Join an innovative and forward-thinking company where you can make a significant impact on a global scale and shape the future of operations.