<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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?</span></p> <h2><strong>About ALX Africa</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span><strong>By 2030, we aim to empower 2 million Africans to secure sustainable tech careers.</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p> <p><strong>We achieve this by:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Providing young professionals with access to the most in-demand tech skills that will power the future.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Empowering the next generation of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders through challenging, real-world coursework.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Building a lifelong, impactful community of tech professionals that supports them at all stages of their career journey. </span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Our impact thus far:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>347k+ </strong>graduates since 2020</li> <li><strong>257k</strong> youth in work</li> <li><strong>31k </strong>youth starting own ventures</li> <li><strong>60k</strong> youth in jobs created by entrepreneurs</li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Visit our website </span><a href="http://www.alxafrica.com"><strong>www.alxafrica.com</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to learn more about our digital revolution.</span></p> <h2><strong>Role Summary</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p> <h2><strong>Specific Responsibilities</strong></h2> <h4><strong>Drive strategic projects for the COO</strong></h4> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lead or support cross-functional projects across ALX.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Translate strategic priorities into clear project plans, owners, milestones, risks, and decision points.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drive execution of special projects that cut across multiple teams or regions.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Identify bottlenecks, escalate risks, and ensure timely resolution.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prepare project updates, decision memos, and executive briefings.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ensure priority initiatives maintain momentum and do not get stuck between functions.</span></li> </ul> <h4><strong>Strengthen organisational execution and accountability</strong></h4> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support the design and management of org-level dashboards, operating reviews, and performance routines.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Track progress against key strategic priorities and surface risks early.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coordinate follow-ups from leadership meetings and ensure clear ownership of next steps.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Help teams move from discussion to decision to delivery.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support quarterly and sprint planning, retrospectives, and execution reviews.</span></li> </ul> <h4><strong>Support revenue and sustainability priorities</strong></h4> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support workstreams connected to fundraising, partnerships, Corporate Training and other emerging revenue priorities.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coordinate cross-functional inputs needed to unlock revenue opportunities.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prepare materials for internal decision-making, partner conversations, and funder engagement.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Track execution against priority revenue initiatives and ensure dependencies are clear.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Enable COO communications and decision-making</strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prepare briefing notes, talking points, leadership updates, and presentation materials.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Synthesise complex information into clear recommendations.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conduct research, analysis, and problem-solving on ambiguous business questions.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Help the COO prepare for key internal and external meetings.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Capture decisions and ensure follow-through after leadership discussions. </span></li> </ul> <h4><strong>Act as a cross-functional connector</strong></h4> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Build strong relationships with functional and regional leaders.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facilitate alignment across teams with different priorities, constraints, and timelines.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clarify roles, responsibilities, decision rights, and escalation paths.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support sensitive or high-priority initiatives that require discretion, judgment, and strong stakeholder management.</span></li> </ul> <h2><strong>Ideal Candidate Profile</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We are looking for someone who is part strategist, part operator, and part problem-solver. The ideal candidate will bring:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">5+ years of experience in strategy, operations, consulting, project management, business operations, startup operations, or a similar role.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects from ambiguity to execution.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Excellent structured thinking and problem-solving skills.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level materials.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Comfort working with senior leaders and influencing without formal authority.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strong project management discipline, including owners, timelines, risks, dependencies, and follow-through.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">High judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">High confidentiality.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strong analytical skills and comfort working with metrics, dashboards, and performance reviews.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deep alignment with ALX's mission and commitment to creating opportunity for young Africans at scale.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Strong proficiency in Google Workspace, especially Sheets, Slides, and Docs.</span></li> </ul> <h2><strong>Nice to Have</strong></h2> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Experience in a high-growth, startup, or transformation environment.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Consulting, Chief of Staff, strategy operations, or business operations experience.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Experience supporting fundraising, partnerships, revenue operations, or new business launches.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Familiarity with African markets and cross-regional operating models.</span></li> </ul> <h2><strong>Person Specification/Attributes</strong></h2> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Courage:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Willingness to speak up, challenge the status quo, and embrace new challenges.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Humility:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Openness to learning, seeking help when needed, and a focus on serving others.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Adventure:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> A passion for setting ambitious goals, tackling difficult tasks, and finding joy in the journey.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Initiative:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Proactive problem-solving, a sense of ownership, and a willingness to go above and beyond.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Resilience:</strong> The ability to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through challenges, and emerge stronger.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p> <p><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> ALX Africa does not charge fees or request payments at any stage of hiring. Be cautious of anyone claiming otherwise. Report suspicious activity to <a class="c-link" href="mailto:hiring@alxafrica.com" target="_blank" data-stringify-link="mailto:hiring@alxafrica.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent">hiring@alxafrica.com</a></p> <p><span style="text-align: justify;">--</span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/five-reasons-why-you-should-work-alx-fred-swaniker/" target="_blank"><img src="https://alxcareersstg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/greenhouse-banner.png" alt="" width="950" style="max-width: 100%;"></a></p></div>