Sewa Assets Management Limited - We are an assets management and finance consultancy firm positioned to meet the ever-changing demands and requirements of our clients in the 21stcentury.
Since inception, we have strategically positioned ourselves to take advantage of growth prospects in the Nigerian and African markets on behalf of our clients. Over the last few years, Sewa Assets has established a strong reputation for market expertise in asset management, investment advisory, business intelligence, consultancy, and financial support services.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Chief Of Staff / Chief Operations Officer
Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Executive Management
Reports To: Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer.
Position Summary
- The Chief of Staff to the MD / CEO & Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the strategic and operational partner to the Managing Director / CEO and is responsible for driving enterprise - wide execution, operational excellence, business performance, and organizational effectiveness.
- The role combines the responsibilities of a Chief Operating Officer with the strategic coordination functions of a Chief of Staff, ensuring that Board directives, strategic initiatives, regulatory obligations, and business objectives are effectively translated into measurable outcomes.
- The incumbent will oversee the Bank's daily operations, coordinate executive management activities, drive transformation initiatives, monitor business performance, support governance processes, and ensure seamless collaboration across all departments.
- As the CEO's principal execution partner, the role will be accountable for ensuring that strategic decisions are implemented effectively while maintaining operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
Key Responsibilities
Executive Leadership & CEO Office Management:
- Act as principal advisor and execution partner to the MD / CEO.
- Manage strategic priorities, executive initiatives, and organizational performance on behalf of the CEO.
- Coordinate activities across all business units to ensure alignment with corporate objectives.
- Prepare executive briefings, Board reports, presentations, business reviews, and strategic papers.
- Monitor implementation of CEO directives and Executive Management decisions.
- Coordinate Executive Management Committee meetings and follow - up actions.
- Serve as escalation point for critical operational, compliance, technology, and business issues.
Strategic Planning & Corporate Execution:
- Support the development and execution of the Bank's strategic plan.
- Translate strategic objectives into operational work plans and measurable KPIs.
- Monitor progress against strategic targets and provide regular performance reports.
- Lead enterprise - wide performance management processes.
- Drive accountability across departments and ensure timely delivery of business objectives.
- Coordinate annual budgeting, business planning, and performance review exercises.
- Identify growth opportunities and operational efficiencies that support profitability.
Operations Management:
- Provide oversight across Operations, Credit Administration, Branch Operations, Customer Experience, Technology, Finance, Administration, and Shared Services.
- Ensure efficient and effective delivery of banking services.
- Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and service standards.
- Drive operational efficiency, productivity improvement, and cost optimization initiatives.
- Establish service - level standards and monitor performance.
- Lead business process reengineering and automation initiatives.
Credit & Portfolio Performance:
- Oversee loan operations including origination, appraisal, disbursement, monitoring, collections, and recoveries.
- Ensure portfolio quality remains within approved risk thresholds.
- Monitor PAR and NPL ratios and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Coordinate recovery strategies and portfolio remediation initiatives.
- Ensure adherence to approved credit policies and CBN guidelines.
- Work closely with Risk Management and Credit Committees to strengthen portfolio performance.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:
- Ensure compliance with CBN Microfinance Banking Regulations, NDIC requirements, AML / CFT regulations, and all applicable laws.
- Coordinate readiness for regulatory examinations and audits.
- Oversee timely rendition of regulatory returns and compliance reports.
- Promote a strong risk and compliance culture across the organization.
- Coordinate enterprise risk reviews and mitigation plans.
- Oversee operational risk management, fraud prevention, and business continuity planning.
- Escalate significant risk issues to the CEO and Board as appropriate.
Technology & Digital Transformation:
- Lead digital banking and operational transformation initiatives.
- Oversee optimization of core banking systems and supporting platforms.
- Champion automation of internal processes and customer - facing services.
- Coordinate implementation of fintech partnerships and digital products.
- Ensure strong IT governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and business continuity controls.
- Drive innovation initiatives that enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
Branch Network & Customer Experience:
- Oversee all branch operations and service delivery channels.
- Monitor branch productivity, profitability, and compliance.
- Establish customer service standards and monitor service quality.
- Lead initiatives aimed at improving customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction.
- Ensure consistent service delivery across all branches and touchpoints.
Governance & Board Coordination:
- Coordinate preparation of Board papers, performance reports, and strategic updates.
- Monitor implementation of Board and Committee resolutions.
- Support the Company Secretary in governance - related matters.
- Maintain executive and Board action trackers.
- Ensure timely closure of audit, regulatory, and Board action points.
Stakeholder & Relationship Management:
- Represent the Bank with regulators, auditors, consultants, investors, and strategic partners as delegated by the CEO.
- Maintain effective working relationships with CBN, NDIC, external auditors, and service providers.
- Support capital raising, strategic partnerships, and institutional engagements.
- Coordinate relationships with technology vendors, consultants, and third - party service providers.
Human Capital & Organizational Development:
- Support workforce planning and organizational restructuring initiatives.
- Drive a high - performance culture across the Bank.
- Coordinate succession planning and leadership development programs.
- Monitor staff productivity and performance management systems.
- Support recruitment of key management personnel.
- Promote employee engagement, accountability, and professional development.
Authority & Decision Rights
The Chief of Staff / COO shall have authority to:
- Coordinate and direct operational activities across all departments.
- Request information and reports from all business units.
- Chair designated Management Committees.
- Approve operational expenditures within delegated authority limits.
- Escalate significant operational, compliance, financial, technology, and reputational risks directly to the MD / CEO.
- Monitor and enforce implementation of Executive Management and Board decisions.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Strategic & Executive Management:
- Achievement of annual strategic plan objectives.
- Percentage execution of Board and Executive Management decisions.
- Completion rate of strategic projects.
Financial & Business Performance:
- Growth in loan portfolio.
- Deposit mobilization performance.
- Cost - to - income ratio improvement.
- Revenue and profitability targets achievement.
Credit & Risk Management:
- Portfolio at Risk (PAR) performance.
- Non - Performing Loan (NPL) ratio.
- Recovery and collections efficiency.
- Fraud loss reduction.
Operations:
- Operational efficiency improvements.
- Reduction in turnaround times.
- Process automation milestones achieved.
- Service availability and uptime.
Customer Experience:
- Customer satisfaction scores.
- Customer retention rates.
- Complaint resolution turnaround time.
Governance & Compliance:
- Regulatory compliance record.
- Audit findings closure rate.
- Timely submission of regulatory returns.
Qualifications & Experience
Educational Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree in Banking & Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Law, Engineering, Information Technology, or related discipline.
- MBA, MSc, MPA, or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
Professional Certifications:
One or more of:
- ACIB
- FCIB
- ACA / ACCA
- ICAN
- PMP / PRINCE2
- CISA
- CRISC
- Risk Management Certification
- Corporate Governance Certification
Experience:
- Minimum of 12 years relevant experience within banking, microfinance, fintech, consulting, or financial services.
- At least 5 years in senior management or executive leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience managing multi - functional operations.
- Strong understanding of microfinance banking operations and CBN regulatory requirements.
- Proven experience leading business transformation and growth initiatives.
- Experience with digital banking platforms and core banking systems.
Core Competencies:
Leadership:
- Strategic Leadership.
- Executive Presence.
- Organizational Development.
- Change Management.
- Stakeholder Management.
Technical:
- Banking Operations.
- Credit Administration.
- Financial Management.
- Risk & Compliance.
- Digital Banking.
- Project Management.
- Process Improvement.
Behavioural:
- Integrity & Confidentiality.
- Results Orientation.
- Analytical Thinking.
- Problem Solving.
- Communication & Influence.
- Accountability.
- Attention to Detail.
- Resilience.