Special Projects Lead (Chief of Staff to the COO)

Are you passionate about building systems, improving processes, and enabling teams to execute effectively? Would you describe yourself as highly organised, analytical, and quick to learn? Do you thrive in cross-functional environments where coordination, accountability, and attention to detail are critical? Does the opportunity to support operational excellence at ALX excite you?

About ALX Africa

ALX Africa, a non-profit organisation under the ALX Foundation, is dedicated to unlocking the potential of Africa's digital future. Formerly part of Sand Tech Holdings, we've embarked on an independent journey to provide world-class tech skills training and career acceleration programmes. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide, upskill and reskill talent, and create a generation of innovative leaders. By 2030, we aim to empower 2 million Africans to secure sustainable tech careers.

With hubs in 8 cities across Africa and counting, we provide safe access to quality learning and a dedicated network of expert instructors. Our innovative programmes equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving tech industry. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, industry partnerships, and hands-on projects, we prepare our students for in-demand roles in software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

We achieve this by:

• Providing young professionals with access to the most in-demand tech skills that will power the future.
• Empowering the next generation of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders through challenging, real-world coursework.
• Building a lifelong, impactful community of tech professionals that supports them at all stages of their career journey. 

Our impact thus far:

• 347k+ graduates since 2020
• 257k youth in work
• 31k youth starting own ventures
• 60k youth in jobs created by entrepreneurs

Visit our website www.alxafrica.com to learn more about our digital revolution.

Role Summary

The Special Projects Lead will serve as a high-trust strategic and operational partner to the Chief Operating Officer (similar to a Chief of Staff). This person will help drive the COO's highest-priority initiatives, ensuring that critical cross-functional work moves from idea to execution with clarity, pace, and accountability. This is a role for a structured, highly resourceful operator who can move fluidly between strategy, execution, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and follow-through. The Special Projects Lead will work across all business functions and with Executive Leadership to keep business operations moving.

This role will function as a Chief of Staff-type partner to the COO, with a strong focus on strategic execution, cross-functional coordination, and delivery of ALX's high-priority initiatives.

Specific Responsibilities

Drive strategic projects for the COO

• Lead or support cross-functional projects across ALX.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear project plans, owners, milestones, risks, and decision points.
• Drive execution of special projects that cut across multiple teams or regions.
• Identify bottlenecks, escalate risks, and ensure timely resolution.
• Prepare project updates, decision memos, and executive briefings.
• Ensure priority initiatives maintain momentum and do not get stuck between functions.

Strengthen organisational execution and accountability

• Support the design and management of org-level dashboards, operating reviews, and performance routines.
• Track progress against key strategic priorities and surface risks early.
• Coordinate follow-ups from leadership meetings and ensure clear ownership of next steps.
• Help teams move from discussion to decision to delivery.
• Support quarterly and sprint planning, retrospectives, and execution reviews.

Support revenue and sustainability priorities

• Support workstreams connected to fundraising, partnerships, Corporate Training and other emerging revenue priorities.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs needed to unlock revenue opportunities.
• Prepare materials for internal decision-making, partner conversations, and funder engagement.
• Track execution against priority revenue initiatives and ensure dependencies are clear.

Enable COO communications and decision-making

• Prepare briefing notes, talking points, leadership updates, and presentation materials.
• Synthesise complex information into clear recommendations.
• Conduct research, analysis, and problem-solving on ambiguous business questions.
• Help the COO prepare for key internal and external meetings.
• Capture decisions and ensure follow-through after leadership discussions. 

Act as a cross-functional connector

• Build strong relationships with functional and regional leaders.
• Facilitate alignment across teams with different priorities, constraints, and timelines.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities, decision rights, and escalation paths.
• Support sensitive or high-priority initiatives that require discretion, judgment, and strong stakeholder management.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for someone who is part strategist, part operator, and part problem-solver. The ideal candidate will bring:

• 5+ years of experience in strategy, operations, consulting, project management, business operations, startup operations, or a similar role.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects from ambiguity to execution.
• Excellent structured thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level materials.
• Comfort working with senior leaders and influencing without formal authority.
• Strong project management discipline, including owners, timelines, risks, dependencies, and follow-through.
• High judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• High confidentiality.
• Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong analytical skills and comfort working with metrics, dashboards, and performance reviews.
• Deep alignment with ALX's mission and commitment to creating opportunity for young Africans at scale.
• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace, especially Sheets, Slides, and Docs.

Nice to Have

• Experience in a high-growth, startup, or transformation environment.
• Consulting, Chief of Staff, strategy operations, or business operations experience.
• Experience supporting fundraising, partnerships, revenue operations, or new business launches.
• Familiarity with African markets and cross-regional operating models.

Person Specification/Attributes

• Courage: Willingness to speak up, challenge the status quo, and embrace new challenges.
• Humility: Openness to learning, seeking help when needed, and a focus on serving others.
• Adventure: A passion for setting ambitious goals, tackling difficult tasks, and finding joy in the journey.
• Initiative: Proactive problem-solving, a sense of ownership, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through challenges, and emerge stronger.

This role requires strong self-management, proactive communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a distributed, cross-functional environment. The successful candidate should be comfortable working across teams and time zones, using digital collaboration tools, and maintaining momentum in a remote-first setting.

Disclaimer: ALX Africa does not charge fees or request payments at any stage of hiring. Be cautious of anyone claiming otherwise. Report suspicious activity to hiring@alxafrica.com

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