Chief Operating Officer (COO)

We are seeking a visionary and execution-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) on behalf of our client a dynamic international firm operating in high-growth and geopolitically complex markets across energy, mining, infrastructure, and commodity sectors.

The ideal candidate will bridge strategy and operations, leading multi-country initiatives with operational excellence while ensuring stakeholder alignment, compliance, and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Execution

• Demonstrate a leadership vision that integrates strategic objectives with operational excellence
• End-to-end operational design and execution experience in complex project environments (from pre-feasibility to implementation)
• Expertise in supply chain, contract management, and local workforce integration processes
• Ability to develop and implement ESG-compliant operational policies
• Build and maintain robust systems for compliance, ethical governance, and risk management
• Establish sustainable operating models and drive local capacity-building efforts

Business Development & Commercial Growth

• Identify new business opportunities in emerging markets and lead strategic business development initiatives
• Proven field experience in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia with strong cultural sensitivity and collaboration with local partners
• Ability to build and manage senior-level relationships with public institutions and private sector stakeholders on behalf of the company

Project Management

• Lead planning, budgeting, and risk management in complex, multi-stakeholder, and multi-country projects
• Promote data-driven decision-making culture and establish KPI-based monitoring and evaluation systems
• Hands-on knowledge of operations in energy, mining, petrochemicals, and infrastructure sectors

Sales & Client Management

• Manage high-volume B2G/B2B sales processes in strategic markets
• Develop and maintain long-term strategic client portfolios
• Strong negotiation and communication capabilities for building long-lasting business relationships
• Team & Communication Leadership
• Lead and support the development of both local and global teams
• Cultivate a high-performance, agile, and entrepreneurial team culture
• Communicate effectively in multi-stakeholder and multilingual environments, with strong English proficiency

Candidate Profile

• 15+ years of experience in executive operations, ideally in emerging or frontier markets
• Prior experience in leading cross-functional teams and delivering results in volatile environments
• Strong understanding of ESG, compliance frameworks, and international business conduct
• Excellent interpersonal, cross-cultural communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Willingness to travel extensively and operate in complex geopolitical environments