Chief of Staff at VFD Group

Job Summary

The Chief of Staff will act as a trusted advisor and strategic right-hand to the GMD/CEO. This role is responsible for driving cross-functional alignment, supporting high-impact investment strategies, and overseeing execution across regional portfolios. The Chief of Staff will enable operational excellence, ensure executive decision-making is data-driven, and help build a performance-focused culture across all entities under the group’s investment umbrella.

• Support the CEO and Investment Committee in aligning business units to the Group's overarching investment thesis.
• Track execution of strategic initiatives across global subsidiaries, ensuring timely delivery on investment goals.
• Facilitate decision-making with data-backed insights across portfolio companies, sectors, and markets.
• Collaborate with regional MD’s and investment leads to standardize processes and resolve cross-market challenges.
• Streamline communication and reporting structures between local teams and group headquarters.
• Monitor portfolio performance across jurisdictions and ensure key financial and operational KPIs are met.
• Lead preparations for investor relations activities, including quarterly updates, roadshows, and board materials.
• Oversee external communications related to global market performance and strategic shifts.
• Act as liaison between group leadership, board members, institutional investors, and key partners.
• Drive the group’s internal cadence—executive meetings, investment reviews,leadership summits.
• Establish frameworks for executive performance, goal setting, and strategic accountability.
• Lead special initiatives that improve organisational effectiveness, cultural cohesion, and global visibility.
• Supervise and manage the affairs of all executive office staff.
• Support the GMD in his oversight of Executive Directors and Direct Reports
• Direct oversight of all correspondence to and from the executive office.
• Ensure effective management of GMD schedule, diary, appointments, etc. of the GMD in a manner that enhances his output.
• Host and entertain all guests of the GMD and key business visitors Support the effective and efficient operations of the GMD’s meetings and ensure adequate documentation of all key deliberations and decisions.
• Ensure proper signed documentation of all decisions, directives, rules, policies, and any form of instruction emanating from the office of the GMD 
• Ensure all documents, pictures, video materials, etc. of historic relevance are maintained, recorded, and stored in a manner that they can be easily retrieved for official or appropriate purposes.
• Hold the dignity and sanctity of the GMD's office.
• Establish and maintain an effective general research desk in the executive office.
• Manage group-level special projects, including new market entry, corporate restructuring, or M&A integration.
• Conduct due diligence and competitive analysis to inform investment decisions.
• Act as a “force multiplier” for the GMD by overseeing mission-critical projects and removing execution bottlenecks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field; MBA or relevant postgraduate degree preferred.
• 8–10+ years of experience in investment management, strategy consulting, or operations within a group holding or private equity environment.
• Proven track record in supporting cross-border operations and investment strategy execution.
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to analyze P&L, balance sheets, and performance dashboards.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and executive influencing skills.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience working with or within portfolio companies in emerging and developed markets.
• Background in private equity, venture capital, or group investment holding structures.
• Familiarity with regulatory environments across Africa and key Western capital markets.
• Global mindset with cultural fluency and a proactive, entrepreneurial approach.