Impact & Philanthropy Chief Operating Officer

Role Overview

• Translate organisational strategy into clear, executable operational plans
• Align programmes and functions around shared priorities
• Develop executive dashboards to support Board oversight and decision-making
• Oversee day-to-day operations across all programmes, including Policy & Advocacy, Litigation, Wildlife, Community Development, Communications, and Finance
• Implement integrated project and programme management systems
• Establish clear KPIs and performance tracking mechanisms
• Ensure robust financial management aligned with organisational priorities
• Strengthen internal controls and maintain audit readiness
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Monitor litigation costs and ensure donor compliance
• Maintain and evolve the organisation’s risk management framework
• Ensure compliance with relevant non-profit, labour, and tax regulations
• Develop crisis management and institutional protection systems
• Produce high-quality, Board-ready governance and reporting materials
• Foster a high-performance, justice-driven organisational culture
• Implement structured performance management and accountability systems
• Develop leadership pipelines and staff capability
• Embed wellbeing and resilience practices across the organisation
• Establish systems to track organisational and programme impact
• Develop dashboards capturing litigation outcomes, policy influence, and operational performance
• Enable data-driven decision-making and adaptive learning
• Support Board-level visibility of institutional performance
• Represent the Foundation in operational, sector, and funding forums
• Build and maintain strong institutional relationships
• Enhance credibility within philanthropic and advocacy ecosystems

Requirements

• Postgraduate degree in Management, Law, Public Administration, Business, Environmental Governance, or a related field
• 5–7+ years’ experience in a senior operations or executive leadership role
• Demonstrated experience in both: Wildlife conservation, biodiversity governance, or environmental protection
• Human rights, social justice, or public interest sectors
• Proven experience operating in politically sensitive or high-risk advocacy environments
• Strong understanding of South African non-profit regulatory frameworks

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible work hours
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities