Chief Operating Officer

Crucible is a purpose-driven organisation committed to transforming education in Sub-Saharan Africa by establishing 100 world-class secondary schools by 2045. With the launch of its first academy, Crucible Lusaka, in February 2025, it aims to equip the next generation of African leaders with exceptional education.

Crucible is a purpose-driven organisation committed to transforming education in Sub-Saharan Africa by establishing 100 world-class secondary schools by 2045. With the launch of its first academy, Crucible Lusaka, in February 2025, it aims to equip the next generation of African leaders with exceptional education.

About the role

You will shape a robust operational framework that can be replicated across multiple schools, ensuring seamless execution while fostering long-term sustainability. This role demands a leader who can architect and implement systems that drive efficiency, align teams, and support rapid expansion. You must be comfortable operating in the complexity of a start-up—balancing structure with adaptability, wearing multiple hats while building a high-performing team.

With a strong foundation in finance and strategy, you will leverage data-driven decision-making to optimize resources, improve performance, and ensure measurable impact. Financial modelling will be second nature to you, allowing you to assess initial costs, track ongoing performance, and inform strategic growth. You will have the commercial instincts to manage budgets effectively, drive profitability, and ensure operations run with precision.

Beyond execution, this role is deeply external facing. You will engage with NGOs, Boards of Directors, and key stakeholders, forging partnerships that strengthen Crucible’s ability to bridge the "Youth Dividend" gap and create lasting local impact. You will also be responsible for embedding cutting-edge technology into operations, ensuring that the organization is not just keeping up with trends but setting new standards for efficiency and agility.

Key dimensions of the role

Lead internal operations

• Working in partnership with the CEO, create the strategic five-year plan and implement new processes and approaches to achieve it
• Perform financial modelling to inform Crucible’s planned expansion
• Develop and implement operational, administrative, and financial policies and procedures that ensure the smooth running of the organization
• Build and lead a high-performing team, setting clear goals and expectations, providing regular feedback, and creating a positive and engaging culture aligned with Crucible’s values
• Manage and optimize the organisation’s resources, including staffing, equipment, and technology, to ensure that they are being used effectively and efficiently
• Support fundraising efforts through the development and implementation of systems for reporting, measurement and supporting local revenue generation
• Ensure that the organisation is in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, including data privacy and workplace safety regulations

Support Crucible schools to deliver outstanding performance

• Support the leadership team of Crucible Lusaka (and future schools) to ensure  operational efficiency and prudent use of resources
• Track schools’ financial, operational and performance targets, in collaboration with the local board(s)
• Develop standard operating procedures and identify technology platforms to facilitate the development, launch and operations of future schools
• Promote information sharing across the Crucible network

Lead operations for future Crucible schools

• Working with the CEO, develop an analytical framework to assess the suitability of candidate sites for future Crucible schools
• Support the CEO to develop key public and private sector relationships in countries prioritized for future Crucible schools
• When a new site is approved and resourced, oversee the implementation of all activities to develop and launch a new Crucible school:
  • Create a plan to deliver a site and operations
  • Design, construction and procurement
  • Recruitment of academic and non-academic staff
  • Ensure regulatory setup and legalcompliance
  • Continually update a manual of “best practice” approaches to be implemented at future schools or projects

Skills and experience

Essential skills & experience:

• Strategic Leadership & Scaling – Proven ability to scale multi-site organisations, particularly in Africa, with a track record of driving growth and operational efficiency.
• Financial & Business Acumen – Strong financial management skills, including P&L management, financial modelling, budgeting, and revenue generation strategies.
• Operational Excellence – Expertise in process optimisation, governance structures, and organisational efficiency to support rapid expansion.
• People & Culture Leadership – Experience in building, leading, and developing high-performing teams, fostering an entrepreneurial and mission-driven culture.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Ability to navigate complex relationships across public and private sectors, including governments, investors, and education networks.
• General Management Expertise – Broad experience across finance, HR, IT, and marketing, with the ability to balance strategic growth with operational execution.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making – Strong judgment, creativity, and analytical skills to drive effective decision-making in a dynamic environment.

Desirable Experience:

• Background in strategy consulting, accounting, or financial management.
• Experience in education, non-profits, or mission-driven organisations.
• Advanced degree (MBA or similar) preferred.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are dedicated to supporting our Clients in building and supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces and culture, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.