Chief Operating Officer

Purpose statement:

• To provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation by ensuring effective implementation of organisational strategy, governance, risk management, and operational excellence. The COO oversees key functions including Risk & Compliance and the Office of the CEO, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and delivery of organisational objectives in line with legislative and governance frameworks.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leads the implementation of organisational strategy by translating strategic objectives into operational plans and ensuring alignment across all functions under the COO’s portfolio.
• Oversee organisational performance by monitoring key operational metrics and ensuring that targets are achieved within approved timelines and budgets.
• Provides strategic advice and support to the CEO and Executive Management on operational matters and organisational performance.
• Drives organisational efficiency by identifying process improvements, eliminating inefficiencies, and promoting best practices across the organisation.
• Ensures integration and coordination of cross-functional activities to achieve organisational goals.
• Leads organisational change initiatives to enhance performance, culture, and service delivery.
• Ensures that operational risks are identified and managed proactively in alignment with organisational strategy.
• Provides oversight of the Risk & Compliance function to ensure effective enterprise risk management and compliance with applicable legislation and policies.
• Ensures the development, implementation, and monitoring of risk management frameworks and strategies across the organisation.
• Oversees compliance with PFMA, Treasury Regulations, and other regulatory requirements.
• Reviews risk reports and ensure that mitigation strategies are implemented and monitored effectively.
• Ensures that internal controls are established, maintained, and continuously improved.
• Provides assurance to the CEO and Board on the effectiveness of governance, risk, and compliance processes.
• Supports audit processes and ensures timely resolution of audit findings and recommendations.
• Oversee the functioning of the Office of the CEO to ensure effective coordination of executive activities and priorities.
• Ensures timely preparation and quality of reports, presentations, and submissions for executive and board meetings.
• Coordinates strategic projects and initiatives managed through the Office of the CEO.
• Ensures effective communication and information flow between the CEO, Executive Management, and stakeholders.
• Monitors implementation of CEO directives and decisions across the organisation.
• Supports stakeholder engagement and relationship management initiatives led by the CEO.
• Ensures that governance and administrative processes within the Office of the CEO are efficient and compliant.
• Oversees budget planning and utilisation for functions within the COO’s portfolio to ensure financial sustainability and efficiency.
• Monitors expenditure against budgets and ensures that resources are used effectively and in line with organisational priorities.
• Supports financial planning and decision-making by providing insights and recommendations.
• Ensures compliance with financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Identifies cost-saving opportunities and drives initiatives to improve financial performance.
• Ensures alignment between operational plans and financial resources.
• Reports on financial performance and risks to the CEO and relevant governance structures.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, regulators, and industry partners.
• Represents the organisation in stakeholder engagements, forums, and meetings as required.
• Ensures alignment of stakeholder expectations with organisational objectives and service delivery commitments.
• Facilitates collaboration with external stakeholders to enhance organisational impact and performance.
• Address stakeholder concerns and escalations in a timely and professional manner.
• Supports the CEO in high-level stakeholder engagements and negotiations.
• Monitor stakeholder satisfaction and implements improvement initiatives where required.
• Build and lead an effective and cohesive team through the effective management of departmental resources.
• Lead the implementation of talent acquisition, succession planning, development, and retention strategies for the department.
• Lead the enhancement of relevant knowledge and skills through continuous coaching, mentoring and nurturing of departmental talent.
• Lead and drive a high-performance culture by translating and communicating the annual performance goals and measures based on agreed upon objectives.
• Drive a working environment that augments employee engagement, recognition and productivity.

Competencies:

Core Competencies:

• Agility
• Result-Orientated
• Integrity
• Respect
• Professionalism
• Stakeholder Management

Leadership Competencies:

• Accountability
• Strategic Management
• Financial Management
• People Management
• Risk and Compliance Management
• Change Management

Technical Competencies:

• Governance, risk and compliance
• Strategic and operational planning
• Financial and resource management
• Public sector regulatory frameworks (PFMA, Treasury)
• Performance management
• Policy Development

Enabling Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Resilience
• Strategic Thinking

Requirements

Minimum Job Inherent Requirements:

• Honours degree at (NQF 8) in Business Administration or Equivalent
• 10 years minimum experience of which 5 years at executive management level