Director of Business Operations

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Business Operations in Midrand, Gauteng, to lead critical operational functions at a major financial services client. You will design and optimize processes, manage budgets and KPIs, and drive risk controls to support growth and efficiency.

The role requires a MBA or related master's, 9+ years in financial services operations, strong leadership, and proven change management.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or related field.
• 9+ years of progressive experience in business operations, preferably within financial services.
• Experience leading complex operational environments and large change initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of operational risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing budgets and P&L.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and operational analytics tools.
• Experience with Midrand or Gauteng is advantageous.
• Certification in relevant operational or project management disciplines is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and enhance core business operations, including process design, workflow optimization, and service delivery standards.
• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to support business growth and efficiency targets.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute complex operational projects and initiatives.
• Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and vendor relationships.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to track operational effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and industry standards.
• Drive innovation in operational processes leveraging technology.
• Mitigate operational risks and implement robust control frameworks.
• Collaborate with IT, Risk, and Compliance for seamless operations.
• Provide leadership to a team of operational specialists.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Financial modeling

Operational analytics

Project management

Change management

Regulatory compliance

P&L management

Lean Six Sigma

Vendor management

Communication

Education

MBA / related field

Tools

Financial modeling tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent financial services institution, is seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Business Operations to lead critical operational functions at their Midrand, Gauteng headquarters. This role is central to ensuring the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of the company's business processes. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of operational excellence within the financial sector, coupled with strong leadership and project management skills. This position offers the chance to drive significant improvements in service delivery, risk management, and cost optimization in a key hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and enhance core business operations, including process design, workflow optimization, and service delivery standards.
• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to support business growth and efficiency targets.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute complex operational projects and initiatives.
• Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and vendor relationships.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure strict compliance with financial regulations and industry standards within Midrand, Gauteng.
• Drive innovation in operational processes, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• Mitigate operational risks and implement robust control frameworks.
• Collaborate with other departments, including IT, Risk, and Compliance, to ensure seamless integration of operations.
• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of operational specialists.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 9 years of progressive experience in business operations, preferably within financial services.
• Proven experience in managing complex operational environments and leading significant change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of operational risk management, process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma), and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and P&L effectively.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and operational analytics tools.
• Experience with operational strategies in Midrand, Gauteng is advantageous.
• Certification in relevant operational or project management disciplines is a plus.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary, an attractive annual bonus structure, comprehensive medical aid, a defined contribution pension fund, and ongoing professional development opportunities. The role is based in a modern Midrand, Gauteng facility, offering a collaborative work environment and the chance to influence strategic business decisions.