Welcome to the OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
The chief operating officer (COO) oversees the design, enhancement, implementation, reporting, and oversight of University’s financials, operations, human resources and compliance. Reporting to the University President and working as a key member of the Senior Management team, the COO will take a leadership role in building, implementing, and overseeing all of the University’s systems, processes, workflows, and procedures. The COO will also play a critical role in helping to shape and guide the future growth and development of the University. The COO will develop, refine and implement Operations strategy including aspects such as area selection, product design and delivery, portfolio quality management, client outreach and communications. S/he will be responsible for the management of the overall quality and efficiency of operations. S/he will ensure that the University delivers an outstanding service that is client focused and efficient at all times.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Achieve Business Performance
- Be accountable for the aggregate plan and delivery of systems, operations, properties & maintenance and the general operating model of the SRU.
- Leverage the advantages of bringing together the operational expertise and drive through more efficient ways of working.
- Ensure strategic objectives shaped at Executive Management level are translated into tactical business plans with mechanisms for key measurements in place to monitor progress.
- Ensure that business change projects are delivered in line with directions from Executive Management level.
- Coordinate the efforts of the different operational areas under management to ensure minimal duplication of efforts, maximum efficiency and to maximize value for money.
- Re-balance resources between different areas e.g. reallocating budgets, but within overall approved resources for the year.
- Contribute to the development of business unit strategy for the next 2-3 years by providing a view on potential improvements for products or services and an assessment of the existing situation and anticipated changes in the external environment.
- Manage departmental budgets including signing off of invoices and quotes within mandate and escalate out of budgets items to the University President for approval.
- Sign off capital expenditure within budget. This includes approving purchase or sell decisions for desktop computers, laptops, departmental equipment etc.
- Analyse effectiveness of processes and systems in use in general for the University and recommend corrective action or automation.
- Review performance against balanced scorecard components as prescribed by the Executive Management, discuss gaps and agree on action plans to close gaps.
- Benchmark productivity of the department against industry standards and create measures to improve productivity.
Driving Business Direction
- To be an integral part and driver of the strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting of business requirements and decision-making process.
- Build strong relationships with key external stakeholders, government, suppliers, etc. to ensure correct focus and direction for the bank at operations and technology level.
- Ensure an effective and efficient operating model is maintained.
- Develop and facilitate planning across the COO environment.
- Accountable for driving the business model under the COO environment
- Serve on external committees where applicable
- Ensure that risk is effectively addressed in all aspects of the business under the COO
- Ensure that a proper infrastructure (building, systems and staff complement) is maintained and developed for the University.
People Management/Leadership
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and peers on Executive Management to ensure the correct focus
- Provide clear directions on strategic goals, translating and prioritizing them into business and performance measures.
- Lead, inspire and coach a team of high calibre professionals, creating succession to key roles and enhancing University management capability.
- Monitor the strict adherence to governance and setting high standards of professionalism across the functions
- Ensure that managers create effective workforce plans and recruitment demands plans for their areas.
- Review Performance Improvement reports to determine effectiveness of interventions.
- Ensure participation by staff on Climate or staff satisfaction surveys and that action items together with the management team of the business units are finalized and executed.
Finance and Budgets
The division has oversight of financial and capital project management at the campuses, academic medical centers and institutes. Areas of responsibility include budget analysis and planning, accounting and financial controls, risk management, capital markets financing, capital resource management, strategic sourcing, and external relationships with rating agencies, investment houses, banks, financial auditors and financial regulators.