Job Description

: Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Industry: FinTech


Location: Cape Town


Type: Full-time

Position Overview:

The Chief Operations Officer at Lesaka - Enterprise Division will be a pivotal leader responsible for overseeing the company's operational excellence and ensuring the seamless execution of our mission. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the FinTech landscape, particularly within the payment technologies, value-added services. The COO will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, implement streamlined processes, and drive innovation to deliver unparalleled value to our customers and stakeholders.



Key Responsibilities:

Operational & Commercial Leadership

: Provide strategic direction and guidance to all operational teams, fostering a culture of efficiency, collaboration, and accountability to ensure the smooth running of the business, including processes for product development, partnership management, and sales optimisation.

Process Optimization

: Evaluate, enhance, and implement streamlined processes across the organization, from customer onboarding to loan disbursement, to maximise efficiency and minimise operational friction. This is by far the most important aspect of this role.

Risk Management

: Develop and enforce robust risk management protocols and compliance frameworks to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate potential risks in lending and financial operations.

Strategic Planning

: Collaborate with the executive team to set long-term goals and translate them into actionable operational plans, aligning with the company's overall mission and vision.

Cross-functional Collaboration

: Work closely with the technology, marketing, and finance teams to drive synergy, ensuring the alignment of operational strategies with technical capabilities and market positioning.

Innovation and Technology

: Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies, leveraging innovation to enhance operational capabilities, customer experiences, and market competitiveness.

Data-Driven Insights

: Utilize data analytics to make informed decisions, monitor operational performance, and identify areas for continuous improvement.

Team Leadership

: Attract, develop, and retain top talent by fostering a culture of growth, mentorship, and empowerment within the operations department.

Customer-Centric Focus

: Champion a customer-first mindset throughout the organization, ensuring that operational processes are designed to provide exceptional service and value to clients.

Stakeholder Engagement

: Maintain open communication and collaboration with external partners, regulators, clients, and stakeholders, building and nurturing strong relationships.

Qualifications and Experience:

BSc/MSc degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or similar. Alternatively BEng/MEng or similar. Proven track record of 5+ years in operational leadership roles within the FinTech, lending, financial services, or banking sectors preferred. Deep understanding of transaction processing systems, data ingestion and interpolation as well as customer support and interaction standard operating procedures. Strong experience in scaling operations within a rapidly growing company, preferably in the FinTech or startup ecosystem. Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and lead cross-functional teams. Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and process improvement through data-driven insights. Visionary mindset with the ability to anticipate industry trends and adapt operations accordingly.
Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Join Leska - Enterprise and be a driving force in revolutionising the way Enterprises access financial opportunities. If you are an experienced leader with a passion for innovation and a desire to make a lasting impact, we invite you to apply and help shape our future.