Chief Operating Officer at Kaplo Africa

Job Description

• Our client is seeking a highly experienced, passionate, and deeply responsible Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and scale the organization’s operational excellence. This role is for a strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset, proven leadership, and the ability to build systems that support sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational direction across all business units.
• Design, implement, and optimize systems, processes, and structures that drive efficiency and profitability.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional teams, ensuring clarity, accountability, and high performance.
• Work closely with the CEO to translate vision into actionable operational plans.
• Oversee financial planning, risk management, compliance, and performance tracking.
• Drive expansion initiatives and support investor relations, key partnerships, and business development efforts.
• Ensure world-class governance, operational standards, and business continuity.
• Represent the company at high-level meetings, both locally and internationally.

Educational Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a closely related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree with an advanced professional qualification (e.g., MBA + relevant postgraduate certification) may be considered in exceptional cases with demonstrable outcomes.
• Professional certifications such as CFA, ACCA, CPA, CIPD, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Continuous professional development and executive education (leadership, risk, compliance, or strategy programs) will be an advantage.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 15 years proven experience in operations leadership within finance, investments, or related sectors.
• Demonstrable experience building, leading, and managing high-performing teams.
• Strong strategic planning, financial acumen, and organizational development skills.
• International travel exposure outside Africa is mandatory.
• Exceptional communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Passion-driven leader with a strong sense of responsibility, integrity, and ownership.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth, standards-driven environment.