About EIG
EIG is developing a lean shared-services platform supporting its businesses and projects in development advisory, enterprise development, renewable energy and related commercial activities. The appointment must strengthen delivery and institutional resilience without duplicating existing specialist roles.
The opportunity
The COO will take ownership of day-to-day operating performance: turning commitments into practical plans, ensuring managers deliver, resolving bottlenecks, protecting project margins and strengthening the systems needed for sustainable growth.
Core responsibilities
- Execute Group strategy: Translate approved priorities into practical operating plans, budgets, milestones and clearly assigned responsibilities across active businesses and projects.
- Own project delivery: Oversee mobilisation through close-out, ensuring contracts, funding arrangements, technical plans and acceptance criteria are confirmed before implementation. Resolve bottlenecks and drive recovery of delayed assignments.
- Drive operational performance: Maintain a reliable portfolio dashboard, lead weekly performance reviews and hold managers accountable for deadlines, results and corrective actions.
- Protect margins and cash: Work alongside the CFO to monitor budgets, cost-to-complete, invoicing readiness and collections. Keep operational commitments within approved funding and authority limits.
- Lead people and shared services: Clarify responsibilities, coach managers, address underperformance and strengthen coordination. Improve existing capacity, procedures and backup coverage before proposing additional permanent staff.
- Manage client and partner commitments: Ensure timely communication, accurate reporting, prompt issue resolution and complete documentation for approvals, acceptance and payment.
- Strengthen risk, safety and quality: Maintain operational risk controls, enforce required technical approvals and safety standards, and ensure incidents, quality failures and audit findings receive corrective action.
- Reduce dependence on the CEO: Personally own routine operational decisions and follow-through. Escalate material exceptions with clear options, a recommendation and a decision deadline, not unresolved problems alone.
Essential capability and relevant experience
- At least 10 years of progressive experience, including five years of substantial operational leadership across multiple projects, departments or business units.
- A relevant degree or an equivalent professional qualification pathway supported by demonstrable operating leadership. A relevant master's degree or project-management certification is advantageous, not a substitute for results.
- Evidence of delivery recovery, resource allocation, budget or margin accountability, manager development and personally introduced operating systems.
- Strong spreadsheet and management-reporting capability; able to interpret financial forecasts and challenge assumptions while respecting the CFO's finance ownership.
- Experience in at least two relevant settings is desirable: development consulting/programmes, renewable energy, enterprise or agribusiness services, technology projects or a multi-business group.
- Sound judgement, integrity and a constructive record of working with founders, clients and specialist leaders. A prior COO title is not required where the responsibility is evidenced.
What success will look like
By day 90, a reliable portfolio dashboard, approved delivery plans, a working escalation matrix and repeatable operating reviews should be in place. By month six, target a 40% reduction in CEO time on routine operational coordination, measured against an agreed baseline without suppressing risk escalation.
How to apply
Complete the online application form by .
Selection includes structured interviews, a timed practical assessment based on a fictional scenario, and proportionate verification. Candidates will be assessed consistently on demonstrated hands-on capability and sound judgement, not titles or presentation alone.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered. Current employers will not be contacted without prior candidate consent. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.