Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health insurance

Bonuses

Unlimited PTO

Remote work

Home office stipend

Executive coaching

Annual retreats

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Chief Operating Officer to lead our global, fully remote operations. You will shape operational strategy, scale distributed teams, and drive efficiency across technology, product, customer success, and support.

This role requires exceptional strategic thinking, leadership, and execution at a rapid-growth startup. You will partner with the CEO and executive team to optimize processes, manage budgets, and foster a culture of innovation and accountability in a

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive operations experience with executive leadership roles.
• Proven success scaling technology startups.
• Experience leading fully remote, globally distributed teams.
• Expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and change leadership.
• Outstanding leadership and communication skills with stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's operational strategy aligned with business goals.
• Oversee and optimize all operational functions including tech, product, customer success, and support.
• Lead and mentor a dispersed executive and management team.
• Drive efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement across processes.
• Manage budgets, financial planning and resource allocation.
• Implement technology solutions to boost performance and productivity.
• Ensure risk management and business continuity plans.
• Foster remote-work culture of innovation and accountability.
• Liaise between departments and advise CEO and Board.
• Monitor KPIs and drive performance against objectives.

Skills

Operational leadership

Scale startups

Remote leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Risk management

Data analytics

Education

MBA or Master’s in Business Administration

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly scaling innovative tech startup, is seeking a visionary and highly experienced Chief Operations Officer (COO) to lead their operational strategy and execution on a fully remote basis. This executive leadership position is critical for driving the company's growth and ensuring operational excellence across all functions globally. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in scaling businesses, managing complex operations in a fast-paced environment, and leading diverse, distributed teams. As COO, you will be instrumental in optimizing processes, managing resources effectively, and fostering a culture of innovation, efficiency, and accountability. This is an unparalleled opportunity to join a groundbreaking company at a pivotal stage of its development and shape its operational future. The role demands exceptional strategic thinking, strong leadership, and the ability to navigate the challenges of a remote-first global organization. You will work closely with the CEO and executive team to achieve ambitious business objectives and maintain market leadership. Success requires a deep understanding of operational strategy, technology implementation, and human capital management within a virtual setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's operational strategy, aligning it with the overall business vision and goals.
• Oversee and optimize all operational functions, including technology, product development, customer success, and support.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing, geographically dispersed executive and management team.
• Drive efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement across all operational processes.
• Manage operational budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation effectively.
• Implement and leverage technology solutions to enhance operational performance and productivity.
• Ensure robust risk management strategies and business continuity plans are in place.
• Foster a strong company culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability, particularly within a remote work environment.
• Act as a key liaison between departments and a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Monitor key operational performance indicators (KPIs) and drive performance against strategic objectives.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. An MBA is highly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in operations management, with a significant portion in an executive leadership role (COO, VP of Operations, or similar).
• Proven experience in scaling technology companies or startups, demonstrating successful growth trajectories.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing large, diverse, and fully remote global teams.
• Expertise in strategic planning, operational efficiency, financial management, and change leadership.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Proficiency with modern operational technologies, project management tools, and data analytics platforms.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and driving business impact.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, and fully remote work environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive compensation package including significant equity options.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with premium coverage.
• Generous performance-based bonuses and long-term incentive plans.
• Flexible unlimited paid time off policy.
• Full remote work arrangement with a dedicated home office stipend.
• Executive coaching and substantial budget for professional development.
• Opportunity to be a key leader in a transformative and high-growth company.
• Annual retreats and team-building events (virtual and in-person).