Deputy Chief Executive Officer - DCEO at Talent Lab Limited

Job Description

• The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO)’s overall responsibility is to support the CEO in all aspects of the company’s activities including executing strategic initiatives, operational oversight, and business development efforts. He will also handle specific tasks that the CEO may assign to him.
• Under the overall supervision of the CEO, the DCEO will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams, managing key stakeholder relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across the organisation.
• The ideal candidate will bring a strong mix of leadership, strategic foresight, data-driven decisionmaking,
• and business development expertise. Strong background in Economics is a plus.

Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organisational Growth:

• Support the CEO in developing and executing long-term strategic plans, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and market trends.
• Drive research and innovation within the company to ensure it remains a leader in data-driven insights.
• Oversee the expansion of the organisation’s portfolio through new research initiatives and service offerings.
• Identify opportunities for strategic partnerships, donor engagement, and new business ventures.

Operational Oversight & Excellence:

• Working with the CEO, the DCEO will lend efforts to oversee the day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with the company’s vision.
• Ensure all research projects, policy analyses, and consultancy engagements meet high-quality standards and are delivered on time.
•  Lead and manage cross-functional teams, ensuring seamless collaboration across departments (Research, Operations, HR, Finance, and Business Development).
• Drive organisational compliance with local and international regulatory frameworks.

Resource Mobilisation & Business Development:

• Support the CEO to secure funding, grants, and new business opportunities to sustain and grow the organisation.
• Working with the CEO, develop and maintain relationships with key donors, clients, and funding agencies.
• Oversee proposal development, bidding processes, and partnership agreements to enhance financial sustainability.
• Identify and explore new revenue streams, including expanding service offerings and strategic partnerships.

Business Development & Client Management:

• In partnership with the CEO, build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector clients, donors, and international partners.
• Act as a key representative of the company at industry events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings, with or without the CEO.
• Lead the development of concept notes, proposals, and business pitches to secure funding and project partnerships.
• Help drive revenue growth by expanding the client base and ensuring the sustainability of key research initiatives.

Financial Management:

• Work closely with the Finance Department to oversee budgeting, financial forecasting, financial reporting, and cost optimisation strategies.
• Ensure that all research and business projects align with financial objectives and deliver expected ROI.
• Establish and maintain financial controls to ensure transparency and accountability.

People Management & Leadership:

• Provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and leadership to senior management teams.
• Foster a high-performance culture, ensuring team members are motivated, trained, and aligned with the organisation’s mission.
• Oversee HR policies and workforce planning to attract, retain, and develop top talent.

Governance & Compliance:

• Ensure corporate governance best practices are adhered to in all business dealings.
• Work closely with legal and compliance teams to mitigate risks and ensure the company operates within ethical and regulatory frameworks.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Economics, Social Sciences, International Development, Business
• Administration or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion statement

Core Competencies

• Proven track record in strategic planning, operations management, and business development.
• Experience managing research-driven projects and teams in the public policy, development, or consulting sectors.
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with experience working with
• government, NGOs, donors, and private-sector clients.
• Financial acumen, including experience managing budgets and ensuring financial sustainability.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present insights to diverse
• audiences.