Chief of Staff

Why Entersekt

Founded over 16 years ago, with more recent investments from Accel-KKR, Entersekt is a leader in digital banking fraud prevention and payment security, including mobile authentication, mobile app security, and 3-D Secure authentication for issuers, acquirers and payment networks. We offer highly scalable products with a track record of success across multiple continents.

Entersekt enables secure digital transactions for leading financial institutions globally. We exist to create a world where everyone can transact digitally without fear or compromise. Currently, we protect the digital transactions of over 210 million active users on our platform and hold 120 active patents that recognize innovation in digital security, payments, and user experience. Entersekt offers customers secure authentication and digital payments experiences that remove unnecessary friction. Entersekt has a diverse product portfolio and aggressive roadmap that positions the company well to sustain competitive advantage as it expands globally with emphasis on North America and European markets.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a highly structured, intellectually curious and solutions‑oriented leader who thrives in complexity and brings clarity to ambiguity. They are a strong communicator, an exceptional organiser, and a natural relationship builder with the maturity to influence at all levels.

This individual has a deep understanding of business operations, can quickly identify organisational gaps and drives execution with discipline. They are motivated by impact, not visibility – someone who elevates the CEO, accelerates the leadership team, and ensures the organisation is aligned, informed and moving forward together.

You will excel if you are:

• A strategic thinker who can translate vision into structured plans
• An operator who can identify inefficiencies and implement solutions
• A confident communicator comfortable engaging executives, investors, and teams
• A proactive leader who anticipates needs before they surface
• A culture‑builder who connects people and creates cohesion

The Role

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, driving alignment, execution, and communication across the organisation. This role anchors strategic planning, operational excellence and organisational rhythm while acting as a trusted integrator between executives and the broader business.

Based in Stellenbosch, this role also serves as a regional cultural leader, helping strengthen our presence and connectedness as a global company.

Responsibilities

Strategic Initiatives

• Prepare strategy sessions, agendas and presentations
• Drive alignment on strategic priorities, ensure leadership is informed, aligned and coordinate communication to the business
• Coordinate and lead cross functional strategic projects as identified by the CEO and support M&A, business integration projects. 

Operational Efficiency

• Identify operational inefficiencies, design resolution plans grounded in data and sound business cases
• Implement and manage operational improvement projects across departments
• Work closely with functional executives to design policies, procedures, and frameworks that improve organisational effectiveness and accountability

Metrics and Goals

• Manage the company‑wide OKR cycle, including setting, tracking, reporting, and operational reviews
• Ensure OKRs remain aligned with strategic priorities and integrated into leadership and departmental rhythms
• Maintain transparency of performance and progress towards goals

Communication

• Oversee and improve communication flow between the CEO, executives, senior leaders, and the broader business
• Ensure consistent, clear, and timely messaging that builds trust and transparency. 
• Partner with Marketing/Communications and People teams where necessary to align messaging
• Preparing CEO’s external/internal communication in high‑change contexts, crafting speeches, scripts or strategic narratives.
• Acting as CEO’s comms advisor for sensitive matters, restructuring and investor messaging. 
• Support Exco messaging and alignment during rapid‑change cycles. 

Budgeting and Reporting

• Manage the CEO’s divisional budget, including forecasting, tracking, and optimisation
• Oversee preparation of board reports, QBRs, and other company‑wide reporting packs
• Manage and prepare agendas and presentations for All Hands and leadership forums
• Creating and maintaining CEO to Exec reporting rhythms and ensuring quality of executive preparation. 

Investor and Board Relations

• Support the CFO in preparing investor materials, insights, and presentations 
• When required, step in on investor calls or represent the CEO in defined forum
• Support the CEO in managing strategic matters with the Board and executive team, including follow‑ups, action tracking, and preparation for key governance discussions

Leadership

• Act as the regional leader in Stellenbosch, helping foster a cultural hub that reflects company values
• Build strong relationships across teams and ensure alignment across regions
• Serve as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the CEO and leadership team

Skills and Experience

Successful candidates for this role will generally possess the following qualifications and skills:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• Certifications in OKRs, Project Management, or Change Management.
• 5-10+ years of experience in strategy, operations, management consulting, PMO, Chief of Staff roles, or similar senior cross‑functional leadership roles
• Strong analytical skills paired with the ability to translate insights into action
• Demonstrated experience working closely with executive teams in high‑growth or complex environments
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, ability to craft clear and compelling executive content and enhance transparency through impactful organisation-wide communication
• Proven ability to manage complex, cross‑functional projects with multiple stakeholders
• Strong financial and business acumen, with experience managing budgets or financial planning cycles
• High level of discretion, judgement, and ability to handle sensitive information

Preferred

• Experience in SaaS, technology, fintech, or enterprise B2B environments
• Experience working with OKRs or similar goal‑setting frameworks
• Familiarity with investor relations, board governance, or executive operating cadences
• Experience leading or supporting capital raising, M&A or integration initiatives
• Experience working in globally distributed teams

Personality Attributes

• Calm under pressure, stays composed in fast‑moving or ambiguous environments.
• Highly organised and structured, able to bring order, clarity, and predictability to complex work
• Proactive and anticipatory, identifies risks early and prepares solutions before issues surface
• Low‑ego, high‑ownership mindset, focused on outcomes rather than credit, willing to do what’s needed
• Exceptional listener and communicator, able to synthesise, translate and communicate complex information simply

We place a lot of value on how we treat prospective employees and appreciate the time and effort that goes into job hunting. That is why we aim to keep the hiring process as quick and seamless as possible while ensuring the best possible fit for both you and the company.

Working at Entersekt is truly a dream. You get exposed to cutting-edge technology, colleagues who are leaders in their fields, and an awesome working environment that includes flexible hours, remote work, and plenty of growth opportunities.

Apply for this position by following the "apply now" tab and or viewing our other roles at Entersekt Careers page.

Entersekt is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. For all South Africa-based roles, preference will be given to candidates from historically disadvantaged groups, in accordance with local Employment Equity objectives.