Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Industry : Information & Communications Technology

Location : Ghana, Accra

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Advisory Board Chairman

Compensation: Competitive 

Client Overview
Our client is a leading organization with a diversified ICT portfolio and a strong focus on technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The organization is seeking an experienced technology executive to provide strategic and operational leadership across its ICT Cluster and support the achievement of its long-term business objectives.

Role Overview

As Chief Operating Officer, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the organization, driving digital transformation, innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable business growth.

You will oversee business operations, technology initiatives, financial performance, risk management, and business development while ensuring that organizational objectives are effectively translated into measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and implement the organization's technology strategy in line with its broader business direction and long-term goals.
• Set clear priorities for digital transformation, innovation, technology adoption, and operational improvement.
• Identify opportunities to apply emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, big data, blockchain, and RPA to improve business performance.
• Encourage innovation and continuous improvement across the organization.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day technology operations and ensure effective delivery of services and projects.
• Review existing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service quality, and operating costs.
• Coordinate the effective use of shared resources, technology infrastructure, budgets, and procurement activities.
• Monitor operational performance and ensure identified gaps are addressed promptly 

Financial Management

• Provide oversight of financial planning and performance for technology operations and initiatives.
• Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, investment plans, and business cases for major technology projects.
• Evaluate technology investments and resource requirements to ensure they deliver appropriate business value.
• Identify opportunities to control costs and improve the allocation of financial resources.
• Ensure appropriate financial controls are maintained across technology operations.

Business Development

• Identify opportunities to develop new technology products, services, and revenue streams.
• Build strategic relationships with technology providers, government institutions, private sector organizations, and other business partners.
• Explore opportunities to apply technology solutions to new markets and business areas.
• Support the commercialization of technology capabilities and innovative solutions.
• Represent the organization's technology capabilities to prospective clients and strategic partners.

Risk Management & Governance

• Establish and oversee appropriate risk management practices across technology operations.
• Monitor cybersecurity, information security, data protection, and other technology-related risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, policies, and industry practices.
• Oversee business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements for critical technology systems.
• Identify emerging technology risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective relationships with senior executives, business leaders, subsidiary heads, technology partners, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
• Clearly communicate the business impact and value of technology initiatives to decision-makers.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve concerns relating to technology projects and service delivery.
• Represent the organization in senior-level meetings, negotiations, industry events, and strategic engagements.

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective relationships with senior executives, business leaders, subsidiary heads, technology partners, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
• Clearly communicate the business impact and value of technology initiatives to decision-makers.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve concerns relating to technology projects and service delivery.
• Represent the organization in senior-level meetings, negotiations, industry events, and strategic engagements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop senior technology and functional teams to achieve organizational objectives.
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability across teams.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, knowledge sharing, and professional development.
• Coach and mentor leaders while strengthening the organization's technology capabilities.
• Lead change initiatives to support the successful adoption of new technologies, systems, and processes.

Education & Professional Qualification

• Master's degree in Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Membership of a recognized professional IT body is required.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in ICT leadership roles.
• Proven experience driving digital transformation and technology innovation within large or multi-sector organizations.
• Extensive experience managing cross-functional ICT teams and complex technology projects.
• Proven experience providing strategic technology leadership at executive or senior management level.
• Experience in technology operations, business transformation, financial planning, risk management, governance, and stakeholder management.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership & Business Planning
• Digital Transformation & Technology Innovation
• Operational & Financial Management
• Risk Management, Governance & Cybersecurity
• Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
• Stakeholder Management & Executive Communication
• Change Management
• People Leadership & Team Development
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Technology Knowledge, including AI, Cloud, IoT, Big Data, and RPA