Director of Operations (JB5999)

Location: Remote, South Africa

Salary: R1,000,000 to R1,500,000 per annum plus incentives

Employment Type: Full-time

Time Zone: Must be able to overlap meaningfully with New York / EST working hours

This is not a corporate job. It is something far more interesting.

A US-based business group operating across four ventures, spanning cybersecurity, property management, and real estate investment, is looking for an exceptional operational leader based in South Africa. The group is growing rapidly, with plans to launch a startup studio, pursue acquisitions, and expand a multi-entity portfolio.

You will work directly with the founder as a true right-hand operator, supporting the management and optimisation of multiple businesses while also helping to scope and evaluate future opportunities. This means moving fluidly between strategy and execution, across operations, people, process, reporting, hiring, and business problem-solving.

You will not inherit a large support structure from day one. What you will get is real ownership, direct access to the founder, and the opportunity to help build something significant from the inside.

The environment is entrepreneurial, fast-moving, and genuinely varied. No two days will look the same.

Minimum Requirements

Proven experience in operational leadership, general management, chief of staff, commercial operations, or a similar multi-functional role

Exposure to multi-entity, multi-division, or portfolio-style business environments

Strong understanding of business operations, process improvement, and execution management

Ability to read and interpret financial statements, P&Ls, and business performance reporting

Experience supporting senior leadership, founders, or executives

Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage shifting priorities

Comfortable working remotely with international stakeholders

Preferred Requirements

Experience in founder-led, entrepreneurial, investment, holding company, consulting, private equity, or high-growth environments

Exposure to real estate, property management, business services, or technology businesses

Experience helping to set up new ventures, teams, or operating structures

Demonstrated ability to move between strategic input and practical execution

Key Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day operational support to the founder across multiple businesses

Oversee and coordinate key business priorities across the portfolio

Create structure, visibility, and accountability across business operations

Support oversight of executives and key business leaders where applicable Assist with strategic planning and execution across multiple entities

Identify operational inefficiencies and implement improved processes and controls

Review and interpret financial and operational reporting to support business decisions

Help assess new ventures, business ideas, and potential acquisition opportunities

Coordinate hiring for key roles across the portfoliot

Support the setup and operational grounding of a property management business

Monitor implementation of systems, workflows, and accountability structures

Assist with issue resolution across operations, finance, people, and administration

Support the possible launch of a startup studio, including review of early-stage opportunities

Serve as a commercially astute sounding board and execution partner to the founder

Director of Operations, Chief of Staff, Portfolio Operations Lead, Operations Director, General Manager, Business Operations, Multi-entity, Founder Support, Executive Leadership, Remote South Africa, Startup, Entrepreneurial, Commercial Operations, Process Improvement, Strategic Execution, Right-Hand Operator, Financial Reporting, Growth Stage, Business Portfolio

Please do not apply using scanned CVs; no supporting documentation is required at this point. This will be requested later.

Kontak Recruitment Disclaimer:

Equal opportunity: All backgrounds are welcome, with no bias. All are considered based on requirements.

Job specifics: Requirements mirror advertisement, duties may adjust for client needs.

Fair process: Fair assessment, only shortlisted candidates contacted due to volume.

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Offer clarity: The Advert is not a binding offer. Written offers based on pre-employment conditions.

No direct link: Advert is not tied to Kontak Recruitment. We assist in the employment process ONLY.

Applicant Responsibility: Upon applying, confirmation of receipt for a specific advert is given. If no confirmation is received, you must verify with Kontak Recruitment.