Head of Operations and Strategy

Placements24; South Africa; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Hybrid work model

Health benefits

Professional development budget

Pension plan

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a Head of Operations and Strategy to shape and execute the company’s operational roadmap and strategic initiatives. This senior leader will drive efficiency, scalability and market opportunity identification in a fast-growing fintech environment.

You will lead cross-functional teams, develop KPIs, manage budgets and collaborate with the executive team to refine the business strategy while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Strategy, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in operations management and strategic planning, fintech preferred.
• Proven track record in developing and executing business strategies.
• Strong understanding of operational best practices and process improvement.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team management capabilities.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Experience with financial modeling and market analysis.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies to support growth and profitability.
• Oversee daily operations ensuring efficiency, quality and compliance.
• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities and partnerships.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute strategic projects.
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscape and customer needs.
• Optimize processes to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Manage budgets and allocate resources to achieve objectives.
• Develop KPIs and monitor progress toward strategic goals.
• Foster innovation, continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with the executive team to refine the overall strategy.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations management

Financial modeling

Market analysis

Negotiation

Process improvement

Education

MBA or Master’s in Business Administration/Strategy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing fintech startup, is seeking an innovative and strategic Head of Operations and Strategy to join their dynamic team in Pretoria. This senior leadership role is critical in shaping and executing the company's operational roadmap and strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of operational expertise and strategic foresight, driving efficiency and growth within a rapidly evolving industry. You will be instrumental in optimizing business processes, identifying new market opportunities and ensuring the smooth execution of the company's long-term vision. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation in the financial technology space in Pretoria.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive operational strategies to support business growth and profitability.
• Oversee the daily operations of the company, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance.
• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute strategic projects and initiatives.
• Analyze market trends, competitive landscape, and customer needs to inform strategic decisions.
• Optimize existing business processes and introduce new ones to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Manage budgets and allocate resources effectively to achieve strategic objectives.
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor progress towards strategic goals.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with the executive team to refine the company's overall business strategy.

Requirements

• MBA or Master's degree in Business Administration, Strategy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a combination of operations management and strategic planning roles, preferably in the fintech sector.
• Proven track record in developing and executing successful business strategies.
• Strong understanding of operational best practices and process improvement methodologies.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team management capabilities.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Experience with financial modeling and market analysis.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
• Familiarity with the Pretoria business ecosystem is advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and stock options package.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous professional development budget.
• Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a growing company.
• Hybrid work model balancing office presence and remote flexibility.
• Collaborative and innovative work culture.
• Performance-based incentives.
• Contributory pension fund.