Chief Executive Officer at Unidef

Vice President, Unidef Nigeria

Who We Are

Unidef is a nonprofit organization consisting of a global network of member organizations working together to accelerate the world’s transition to decentralization through brands and actions, and we couldn’t do this without hiring the best people.

All members of Unidef are united in purpose, strategy, culture, and belief in the power of technology to move the world towards the decentralized future. Driven by a commitment to equality, trust, transparency, advocacy for one another, and the common good. We are impartial and independent of any government, political persuasion, or religious belief. That’s us.

What We Do

Unidef is active around the world, and our national and regional member organizations and programs, through grants and investments, work to nurture and support innovators and builders of next-gen technology that the future will rely on.

We work in partnership with businesses, individuals, governments, and nonprofits, with each partner playing a crucial role in accelerating unified progress toward the mission of Unidef.

What is the Purpose of the Role

• The primary role of the Vice President, Unidef Nigeria, is to develop and maintain profitable, growing businesses and brands that attract and retain clients, employees, and trusted networks.
• The position reports jointly to the Regional and the Global CEO, Unidef.
• Builds a strong and diversified foundation of client business, with strategies to nurture organic growth opportunities and a strong culture of new business activity and success.
• Oversees leadership of local offices in Nigeria.
• Leads and coaches Nigeria VPs into a high performing and closely-knit team who combine to collectively deliver an output greater than the sum of their individual contributions.
• Builds the reputation of Unidef and its brands through proactive PR and marketing of themselves, their teams, and their work.
• Sustains and enhances the existing breadth and depth of our people, brands, and services, consistent with the direction of global and regional leadership, but adapted to meet Nigeria’s needs and opportunities as necessary
• Take ownership of building the entire partnership function and maintain strong external relationships with potential partners, agencies, clients, etc.
• Be active in all leading crypto and decentralized community engagements and events and scout the exceptional founders for potential investment opportunities through Unidef venture capital arms.

Where?

• This position will be in our offices in Lagos State, Nigeria.

What You'll Be Doing (i.e., Job Duties)

• Business And Commercial Responsibilities
• Develop annual business plans including; financial, client development, brands development, new business, product, talent, and networks.
• Develops specific revenue strategies to deliver business growth targets, including
• New business
• Trading income
• Startup acquisitions and acquihires (in conjunction with Global Leads)
• New regional networks (in conjunction with Global Leads)
• Seeing the Bigger Picture suite (in conjunction with Global Leads)
• Understand the underlying commercial mechanics within the business and factors influencing profitability at a national, office, team, and discipline level.
• Develop a clear perspective on the elements that can/should be targeted to help improve profitability and those which should be left alone or invested in.
• Partners with Unidef to review financial statements on a monthly basis to manage costs to sustain profitable P&L.
• Partners with Unidef to provide quarterly analysis on actual performance versus plans and report on any necessary adjustments to business strategies and policies in order to achieve forecasts.
• Proactively raise concerns with the Global leadership regarding the perceived inability to deliver on forecast commercial targets.
• Guides the leadership in local offices to ensure they are well run and profitable businesses.
• Develops appropriate client contact strategies and policies together with the Global Leadership, and builds strong and deep relationships with senior clients across the global network.
• Build rapport with clients by listening and understanding their needs. Form a clear understanding of our client’s perception of the Global Network and develop improvement strategies where necessary.
• Addresses unprofitable clients and migrates to profitability.
• Incorporates, customizes, and adopts Unidef assets and IP to enhance the client offering.
• Leads successful new business activities utilizing regional and global teams as necessary.
• Improves reputation of Unidef and brands through annual marketing and PR plan. Engages with external media and client contacts to maximize business opportunities.
• Optimizes growth opportunities. Client pricing – leads fee negotiations to ensure the best aggregate pricing in the market and maximize client incentive delivery via buying performance. Identifies and implements new revenue models/services in compliance with client contracts.
• Develops a collaborative relationship with Unidef and engages them as an efficient and profitable resource.
• Creating a core support team in areas such as HR and recruiting to provide well-rounded support for the local hubs.
• Play a key role in supporting major regulatory/policy efforts and subsequently ensuring that Unidef operates in full compliance with applicable local regulatory requirements.
• Drive Unidef’s expansion strategies in the region, including evaluation and recommendation of growth options based on market analysis.
• Accelerate Unidef’s strategic partnerships. Regional M&A and venture bets; stay on top of market trends and competitive dynamics.
• Partner closely with other global teams to ensure the smooth business operation and ensure that Unidef’s brand and values are reflected locally.
• Execute multiple aspects of marketing, including branding and positioning, product marketing, paid marketing, education and engagement campaigns, events, and communication.

Talent Responsibilities

• Recognize the importance of having a robust talent strategy.
• Personally committed to building a motivated, successful and stable talent base. A personal belief in the importance of talent and the ability to balance clients' needs with employee engagement.
• Develops a comprehensive Talent Strategy in collaboration with Unidef.
• Ensures that talent strategy is seen as a central and much-valued pillar of the business by employees and clients.
• Ensures that the local offices have a demonstrably equitable approach to talent.
• Champions and executes the talent strategy to ensure that we attract, develop, and retain the best people.
• Provides the inspiration for the vision, behaviors, goals, policies, services, and initiatives.
• Builds the right team and structure to deliver on our brands’ and client's business.
• Anticipates future needs and makes proactive investments in latent talent areas to ‘be ahead of the curve,’ enhancing the reputation for being progressive and being able to capitalize on opportunities while competitors lag.
• Uses data from the surveys to determine annual areas for improvement.
• Acts as a mentor and coach to the senior management teams.
• Uses contacts and networks to source a talent pool for your markets

What We Look for in You

Must-Have

• Must have entrepreneurial experience founding (or operating as CEO/President/Managing Director) a Business Development or Investment company or business unit and growing it to a sizable share of market share in the revenue.
• Solid understanding of the regional services landscape, particularly with respect to professional services and marketing.
• Experience in business development, especially investment, professional services and marketing.
• Experience in engaging with regulators and managing a business/business-unit subject to regulatory oversight.
• Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to work effectively and implementing global standards while ensuring that local requirements are met.
• Keen interest in crypto/blockchain (expertise not a prerequisite but willingness to learn essential).
• Self-starter who is excited at the prospect of growing a business in a fast-developing sector.
• Pragmatic and solutions-oriented - always looking for more efficient and effective ways to do things.

Nice to Have

• Previous experience working in a multinational or UK or US-headquartered business.
• Previous work experience or personal interest in the crypto/blockchain space.