Job Description

We are seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff – Deputy Director, Operations & Strategic Development to serve as the Managing Director's strategic partner and operational deputy.

This is not a traditional Chief of Staff role focused solely on governance, coordination, or executive support. The successful candidate will act as an extension of the Managing Director, driving strategic initiatives, overseeing business-critical projects, supporting investment decisions, and ensuring disciplined execution across the organisation.

The role combines elements of strategy, finance, operations, corporate development, project governance, and executive leadership, providing exposure to every aspect of the business.

The successful candidate will be expected to challenge assumptions, influence executive decisions, manage cross-functional teams, and drive organisational performance across multiple geographies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Executive Support

• Act as the Managing Director's trusted advisor and strategic partner.
• Participate in executive decision-making and business planning discussions.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable business plans and execution roadmaps.
• Ensure alignment between corporate objectives and operational execution.
• Represent the Managing Director in internal and external meetings when required.
• Prepare executive briefings, strategic recommendations, and decision papers.

Corporate Strategy & Business Development

• Lead strategic planning cycles, annual operating plans, and long-range business planning.
• Identify growth opportunities, new markets, acquisitions, partnerships, and diversification initiatives.
• Conduct market analysis, competitor benchmarking, and commercial assessments.
• Support strategic expansion projects across international markets.
• Evaluate investment opportunities and prepare business cases for leadership review.

Financial & Commercial Analysis

• Develop and review complex financial models, investment analyses, and commercial evaluations.
• Assess project economics, return on investment, and capital allocation decisions.
• Support financing initiatives, banking relationships, and strategic capital projects.
• Monitor business performance through KPIs, management dashboards, and financial reporting.
• Partner closely with Finance and Business Leaders to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

Operations & Performance Management

• Drive operational excellence initiatives across trading, logistics, supply chain, and support functions.
• Establish performance management frameworks and governance structures.
• Monitor execution of strategic initiatives and hold stakeholders accountable for delivery.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions.
• Ensure key projects remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned to business objectives.

PMO & Strategic Project Management

• Establish and lead a robust enterprise-wide Project Management Office (PMO).
• Oversee strategic programmes, acquisitions, transformation initiatives, and capital projects.
• Create executive dashboards and reporting frameworks for senior leadership.
• Conduct regular project reviews and proactively manage risks and dependencies.
• Drive accountability and follow-through across functions and regions.

Board & Executive Reporting

• Prepare Board papers, investment memoranda, management presentations, and strategic reports.
• Support Board meetings, Executive Committees, and leadership forums.
• Deliver concise, data-driven insights to support decision-making.
• Coordinate strategic communications between leadership teams and stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Commercial, Trading, Operations, Finance, HR, Legal, and Technology teams.
• Facilitate collaboration across multiple geographies and business units.
• Drive organisational alignment and execution discipline.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• MBA from a Tier 1 institution, preferably with finance, economics, or commerce background.
• MBA in Finance, Strategy, Economics, Business Administration, or related field from a premier institution (IIM A/B/C/L, ISB, INSEAD, LBS, Wharton, Chicago Booth, Columbia, or equivalent).
• Engineering, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Mathematics, or related undergraduate degree preferred.
• CFA, CA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualification is advantageous.
• 10–18 years of progressive experience in:
• Chief of Staff
• Corporate Strategy
• Corporate Development
• M&A
• Business Operations
• Strategic Finance
• Management Consulting
• Executive Office

Demonstrated experience working directly with:

• CEOs
• Managing Directors
• Founders
• Executive Committees
• Boards of Directors

Proven track record leading:

• Strategic initiatives
• Transformation programmes
• M&A transactions
• Investment evaluations
• Cross-functional business projects

Benefits

• Chance to assume a pivotal leadership position in a rapidly expanding global organization
• Involvement in strategic financing, IPOs, and capital market activities
• Significant exposure to senior executives and investors
• Attractive compensation package with prospects for long-term advancement