Director of Operations & Strategy — Growth & Impact (Midrand)

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

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.