Head of Cape Town Operations

Saab AB; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and security firm in Polokwane seeks a Senior Operational Leader to provide strategic leadership and ensure operational growth. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in managing diverse teams and driving revenue. Responsibilities include collaboration with various departments to align with business objectives and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This role offers a nurturing environment for professional growth.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience in senior operational leadership roles.
• Proven track record of driving revenue or operational growth.
• Experience managing diverse teams across commercial and operational functions.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to ensure alignment with broader goals.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales for business development.
• Ensure effective day-to-day operations and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Business acumen

Team development

Stakeholder communication

Education

Relevant Bachelor’s degree in Business Management

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the Cape Town office, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s broader goals and direction
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Sales & Business Development, contributing to the Winning Business process
• Promote strong cross-functional collaboration with others to ensure successful contract delivery
• Cultivate a high-performance, collaborative, and values-driven office culture
• Ensure effective day-to-day operations, compliance with organisational and regulatory requirements, and proactive risk management
• Maintain a robust operational processes, governance frameworks, and reporting structures
• Serve as the senior organisational representative for all Cape Town operational matters
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives and drive organisational objectives.

Experience Requirements

• At least 10 years’ experience in senior operational leadership roles
• Proven track record of driving revenue or operational growth
• Experience managing diverse teams across commercial and operational functions
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering on revenue and profitability targets
• Exceptional people leadership and team development skills
• Strategic thinker with strong execution and leadership capabilities

Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Change management and organisational development
• Strong business acumen and financial literacy
• Stakeholder communication and cross-functional coordination
• Business & Project Management

Education Requirements

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree in Business Management

SGD has reinforced its position as a leading South African defence and security company, bringing capabilities including electronic warfare systems, sensor technology, training systems, avionics, security and support solutions to the African and international markets. These capabilities are supplied and supported over the air, land, sea and civil security domains.

With new and improved technological systems and solutions, SGD increases a country’s defence capabilities and provides innovative, effective products and services for those tasked to maintain security. The company also works with various stakeholders in gathering data and providing insight into how security threats evolve, and what the best market-customised solutions are.

If you aspire to help create and innovate whilst developing yourself in a challenging team setting, Saab may well have the perfect conditions for you to grow. We pride ourselves on a nurturing environment, where everyone is different yet we share the same goal – to help protect people.

SGD will give preference to South African citizens and we also welcome applications from individuals with culturally diverse backgrounds. Please consider your application as unsuccessful if you have not received feedback from us within 30 days after the closing date.