Job Description

• We are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive operational excellence, scale our services, and position the firm for its next phase of growth.
• The COO will serve as a strategic business leader responsible for overseeing daily operations, optimizing service delivery, managing client engagements, and ensuring the firm’s growth objectives are achieved.
• he ideal candidate is an experienced consulting professional with strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to build systems, processes, and teams for a rapidly scaling consulting practice.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership:

• Oversee the firm’s end-to-end operations across all service lines.
• Design and implement operational frameworks, policies, and SOPs.
• Ensure quality assurance and consistency in all client deliverables.
• Supervise project teams to ensure timelines, budgets, and scope are met.

Strategy & Business Growth:

• Partner with the CEO to set strategic direction and execute growth plans.
• Drive business development initiatives, proposal conversions, and client expansion.
• Develop new consulting offerings and refine existing solutions for market relevance.
• Lead market intelligence and competitive analysis activities.

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Manage and deepen relationships with key clients, boards, and senior executives.
• Ensure exceptional client experience and high retention rates.
• Oversee high-level engagements including board recruitment, C-suite search assignments, business reviews, and retreats.

People & Performance Management:

• Build and supervise high-performing consulting, research, and L&D teams.
• Drive internal capacity-building and performance management systems.
• Ensure continuous learning and alignment across the firm.

Financial Management:

• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization.
• Monitor profitability across projects and service lines.
• Develop financial performance dashboards for leadership review.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Operational Efficiency:

• Reduction in turnaround time for recruitment, diagnostics, and L&D engagements.
• Delivery of projects within scope, budget, and deadlines.
• Implementation and adherence to operational SOPs.

Business Growth:

• Increase in client acquisition and retention rates.
• Year-on-year revenue and profitability growth across service lines.
• Successful launch of new services/products.

Client Satisfaction:

• High client satisfaction scores and repeat business.
• Zero critical client complaints.
• Strong reference ability from senior executives and board clients.

Team & Organizational Development:

• Improved staff productivity and competency development.
• Reduction in staff turnover.
• Successful implementation of performance management and learning programs.

Financial Stewardship:

• Achievement of quarterly and annual financial targets.
• Effective cost management and operational budget efficiency.
• Reduction in turnaround time for recruitment, diagnostics, and L&D engagements.
• Delivery of projects within scope, budget, and deadlines.
• Implementation and adherence to operational SOPs.
• Increase in client acquisition and retention rates.
• Year-on-year revenue and profitability growth across service lines.
• Successful launch of new services/products.
• High client satisfaction scores and repeat business.
• Zero critical client complaints.
• Strong reference ability from senior executives and board clients.
• Improved staff productivity and competency development.
• Reduction in staff turnover.
• Successful implementation of performance management and learning programs.
• Achievement of quarterly and annual financial targets.
• Effective cost management and operational budget efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 10–15 years’ experience with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or operations role.
• Experience in Board/C-Suite recruitment, HR consulting, or organizational development is an added advantage.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CIPM, SHRM, ICAN, PMP) are an asset.

Key Skills & Attributes:

• Strong background in management consulting, HR consulting, or recruitment advisory.
• Proven experience leading operations or practice areas within a consulting firm.
• Excellent project management and execution capability.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and client-facing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to optimize profitability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement strength.
• Integrity, confidentiality, and professional presence.