Director of Strategic Operations

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonuses

Health coverage

Generous paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Home office budget

Professional development

Remote-first work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Director of Strategic Operations to lead our global expansion from a remote setting. You will shape long-term operational strategy, drive scalable processes, and align cross-functional teams across time zones to enable sustainable growth.

You will oversee data-driven decision making, develop KPIs, and partner with executives to optimize performance while balancing costs and efficiency in a dynamic, remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field (PhD a plus).
• 10+ years in operations strategy and leadership, with experience in strategic planning and execution.

Responsibilities

• Develop a long-term global strategic vision for all operations.
• Design scalable models to support rapid growth and market expansion.
• Analyze data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to optimize processes and reduce costs.
• Collaborate with executives to align operations with company goals.
• Define and monitor KPIs to measure initiative effectiveness.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Remote team leadership

Analytics

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Master's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

Data analysis tools

Business intelligence platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly expanding, digitally-native enterprise seeking a visionary Director of Strategic Operations to spearhead their expansion initiatives. This is a fully remote, leadership position requiring a strategic thinker with a passion for driving transformative change and optimizing global operational frameworks. Based remotely, you will play a crucial role in defining and executing our client's long-term operational strategy, ensuring scalability and efficiency as the company grows. This role demands exceptional foresight, robust analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams across different time zones. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of operations for a dynamic organization, working from the comfort of your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate a comprehensive, long-term strategic vision for all operational functions globally.
• Design and implement scalable operational models to support rapid business growth and market expansion.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for strategic improvement and innovation.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to optimize processes, reduce costs, and enhance overall business performance.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership to align operational strategies with corporate goals.
• Develop and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of strategic initiatives.
• Oversee the integration of new technologies and systems to streamline operations and improve data-driven decision-making.
• Manage relationships with key external partners and suppliers to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the organization.
• Prepare strategic operational reports and presentations for the board of directors and executive team.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field; PhD is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in operations strategy and leadership, with a significant portion in strategic planning and execution roles.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing complex operational strategies for high-growth companies.
• Expertise in operational modeling, process re-engineering, and change management.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence remote, geographically dispersed teams.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and business intelligence platforms.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
• Experience working in a remote-first or distributed team environment is essential.
• Strong understanding of global market dynamics and operational challenges.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, with the potential for significant bonuses tied to strategic goal achievement.
• Our client provides an excellent benefits package, including comprehensive health coverage, generous paid time off, and a robust retirement savings plan.
• Employees receive a budget for home office setup and ongoing professional development.
• The flexibility of a remote-first work environment allows for unparalleled work-life integration.
• Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation, strategic thinking, and employee well-being, all while working from your preferred location.