General Manager Operations at BSI

• You will be responsible for defining, developing, and embedding the SA System Certification, Training and SA Product Certification Strategy in line with the META Stream Strategy and working in close collaboration with the wider META Executive team and META Countries as appropriate. Ensure headcount and skills mix are resourced appropriately to meet our delivery and utilisation budgets, both in the short and longer term, taking account of demographic and certification trends.
• A primary focus for the role is to ensure the implementation of a common, consistent and best practice approach as defined by the Global and META Stream, thereby ensuring South Africa achieves its profitability targets (Gross Margin, Contribution Margin and MOP) for System Certification, Training and Product Certification Delivery.
• The role is accountable for implementing a strategy for delivery to the EMEA Operations & Compliance Director within the EMEA Cluster
• The role will require frequent travel within the South African and wider META region as required.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Provide thought leadership on our Training, Certification Assessment Delivery (System & Product Certification) offering to position us at the forefront in our market.
• Working with the EMEA System Certification Director, create the SA  System Certification Strategy in line with the strategic plan;
• Lead a team of  Operations Team Leaders, Client Managers and External Resource Sub-contract Auditors, Tutors  ensuring the region has the correct resources to deliver the budgeted days and Training Courses to meet our utilization targets and deliver customer expectations to a high level of satisfaction.
• Develop a strategic resource plan in order to deliver against current customer demand while building the skill base to deliver against forecast demand in line with both the budget and strategic plan.
• Contribute to the development of the SA strategy, ensuring alignment with the EMEA strategy and be responsible for change programmes and initiatives as required
• Provide management and leadership across South Africa to ensure our operations leaders and assessment/tutor colleagues maintain high levels of performance in line with our Customer First Principles, Values and Excellence Behaviours.
• Oversee the effective and timely on-boarding of new colleagues training and requalification of Assessment/Tutor staff.
• Ensure that all staff audits, qualifying reviews and where required report reviews are undertaken as required.
• Work with the South Africa Managing Director and key stakeholders to prepare the Strategic Plan, delivery budget for the region and regular forecasts and develop the stream input for the UK
• Play a lead role in developing the vision for #Great place to work for our Field based colleagues, identifying and implementing short term improvements as well as identifying strategic opportunities/needs to ensure we retain and engage our colleagues to create a high performance culture.
• Lead a performance management culture, addressing underperformance effectively and carrying out succession planning for the region and across the wider META where relevant to support our future technical / leadership needs, our colleague career aspirations, engagement, and retention of key talent.

Candidate Specification

• Demonstrable experience of 5 -7 years in a senior leadership role within an operations environment.
• Demonstrable experience in operating in a matrix structure within a global professional services organization.
• Able to collaborate, influence and work effectively across regions, streams and sectors to meet business goals.
• Adaptive communication skills.
• Is able to both coach and mentor colleagues to achieve desired outcomes.
• Leadership or relevant technical qualifications an advantage but not essential.
• Able to travel regularly, predominantly regionally but META  and global
• Basic knowledge of the ISO system is an advantage
•  Knowledge of SAP, Webex, and SFDC is an advantage
• Based in the Gauteng area