Chief Operating Officer

Crucible is on a mission to redefine education at scale and needs a visionary Chief Operating Officer who can turn ambition into action. They are seeking a strategic and results-driven COO to scale its operations, drive financial sustainability, and lead the expansion of world-class schools across Africa.

Location: Remote - Sub Saharan Africa Ref A002855

Crucible is a purpose-driven organization committed to transforming education in Sub-Saharan Africa by establishing 100 world-class secondary schools by 2045. With the launch of its first academy, Crucible Lusaka, in February 2025, it aims to equip the next generation of African leaders with exceptional education.

About the role

You will shape a robust operational framework that can be replicated across multiple schools, ensuring seamless execution while fostering long-term sustainability. This role demands a leader who can architect and implement systems that drive efficiency, align teams, and support rapid expansion. You must be comfortable operating in the complexity of a start-up—balancing structure with adaptability, wearing multiple hats while building a high-performing team.

With a strong foundation in finance and strategy, you will leverage data-driven decision-making to optimize resources, improve performance, and ensure measurable impact. Financial modelling will be second nature to you, allowing you to assess initial costs, track ongoing performance, and inform strategic growth. You will have the commercial instincts to manage budgets effectively, drive profitability, and ensure operations run with precision.

Beyond execution, this role is deeply external facing. You will engage with NGOs, Boards of Directors, and key stakeholders, forging partnerships that strengthen Crucible’s ability to bridge the "Youth Dividend" gap and create lasting local impact. You will also be responsible for embedding cutting-edge technology into operations, ensuring that the organization is not just keeping up with trends but setting new standards for efficiency and agility.

Key dimensions of the role

Lead internal operations

• Working in partnership with the CEO, create the strategic five-year plan and implement new processes and approaches to achieve it.
• Perform financial modelling to inform Crucible’s planned expansion.
• Develop and implement operational, administrative, and financial policies and procedures that ensure the smooth running of the organization.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, setting clear goals and expectations, providing regular feedback, and creating a positive and engaging culture aligned with Crucible’s values.
• Manage and optimize the organization’s resources, including staffing, equipment, and technology, to ensure effective and efficient use.
• Support fundraising efforts through the development and implementation of systems for reporting, measurement, and supporting local revenue generation.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, including data privacy and workplace safety regulations.

Support Crucible schools to deliver outstanding performance

• Support the leadership team of Crucible Lusaka (and future schools) to ensure operational efficiency and prudent use of resources.
• Track schools’ financial, operational, and performance targets, in collaboration with local boards.
• Develop standard operating procedures and identify technology platforms to facilitate the development, launch, and operations of future schools.
• Promote information sharing across the Crucible network.

Lead operations for future Crucible schools

• Work with the CEO to develop an analytical framework to assess the suitability of candidate sites for future schools.
• Support the CEO in developing key public and private sector relationships in countries prioritized for future schools.
• Oversee the implementation of activities to develop and launch new schools, including:
• Creating a plan to deliver a site and operations.
• Design, construction, and procurement.
• Recruitment of academic and non-academic staff.
• Ensuring regulatory setup and legal compliance.
• Updating a manual of “best practice” approaches for future schools or projects.

Skills and experience

Essential skills & experience :

• Proven ability to scale multi-site organizations, particularly in Africa, with a track record of driving growth and operational efficiency.
• Strong financial management skills, including P&L management, financial modelling, budgeting, and revenue strategies.
• Expertise in process optimization, governance, and organizational efficiency to support rapid expansion.
• Experience in building, leading, and developing high-performing teams, fostering an entrepreneurial and mission-driven culture.
• Ability to navigate complex relationships across public and private sectors, including governments, investors, and education networks.
• Broad experience across finance, HR, IT, and marketing, with strategic and operational expertise.
• Strong judgment, creativity, and analytical skills for effective decision-making in a dynamic environment.
• Background in strategy consulting, accounting, or financial management.
• Experience in education, non-profits, or mission-driven organizations.
• Advanced degree (MBA or similar) preferred.

Note: If you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. Diversity and inclusion are core values, and your unique experience may be the perfect fit.

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