Country Managing Director (MD) at Zola Electric

Zola Electric Nigeria combines Silicon Valley technology with local expertise to offer homes and businesses a long-term solar solution to an unreliable grid. Adaptable to both energy needs and income, Zola Electric Nigeria’s solution can be bought over time through a leasing structure. The first few watts starts a chain reaction that enables people to achieve commonly held aspirations: security, education, access to information, and a longer and more efficient day.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Country Managing Director (MD) Location: Lagos

Position Country Strategy Development and Implementation:

Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the annual Country Operations Strategy and Business Plan, aligned to the overall Company Strategic Plan
Monitor business resources and strategy implementation on weekly basis and devise appropriate strategies and interventions to ensure alignment of the Country operations to corporate objectives
Drive business and organisational growth aligned to the strategic intent of the overall company
Increase market penetration and develop new routes to market to include channel partners, and agency agreement.
Cascade the overall company vision, goals, development strategies and key result areas (KRAs) in support of company, country and departmental strategy and business plans
Provide leadership for the dissemination of company mission, vision and values at the country level and direct the country programme and its staff in line with the annual Country Strategy

Leadership and Management of Country Operations:

Provide strong, visible and inspirational leadership to Country Leadership Team, as well as the wider ZOLA Team thereby delivering bottom line business results
Build a strong Leadership Team and functional areas, as well as core competencies of those teams
Lead the Country management team in the resolution of operational problems on a day-to-day basis
Lead the contribution towards new or innovative approaches to policy and operational issues
Monitor operational risks through the management of a comprehensive risk framework to assess risks and devise risk mitigation plans

Finance Management Oversight:

Provide oversight in financial management matters of the Country Operations, ensuring compliance with the overall company’s procedures and external best practice as well as donor and regulatory requirements
Develop and effectively execute the Country resource allocation plan, using insights and a focus on opportunities, priorities and capabilities for business growth
Analyse and evaluate P&L to drive performance, challenge spend and lead changes to deliver higher performance and value
Monitor cash flow to ensure effective cash management and approve bank transfers in accordance with delegation of authority

People Management:

Lead the development of a sustainable structure to support the operational requirements of the business
Act as custodian of succession plan development and implementation to support the growth of people within the organisation
Lead, coach and mentor direct reports to foster personal growth and teamwork
Manage the administration of direct reports through the approval of leave, subsistence and travel expenses
Always oversee the management of documentation to ensure availability and ease of retrieval
Oversee the recruitment, development and retention of management and staff in collaboration with the Human Capital Department
Manage the performance of direct reports, ensuring agreement of annual goals, measuring performance against agreed goals and dealing with areas of non-performance

Stakeholder Management:

Lead the charge to ensure a happy customer base
Engage with the Chief Operating Officer and Group Executives on Country operational matters and in the provision of input into high level strategy
Lead the collaborative efforts across functions to understand and resolve operational problems on the ground
Participate in Country Board Meetings and engage with shareholders and local chairpersons
Act as the primary point of contact for senior interaction with government, tax authorities and industry organisations
Identify technical experts who understand the country landscape and encourage engagements with the relevant stakeholders
Liaise with external stakeholders to resolve business issues which may have been escalated by the business.
Lead the weekly Core Team Meetings and monthly Performance Review Meetings
Engage with Head of Departments and liaise with Group Executives and teams to address departmental problems, identify resolutions and make the necessary adjustments to the operating business model

Requirements Minimum Requirement:

12 to 15 years experience in a senior leadership role in a growing business of reasonable size
Strong GM experience, P&L responsibility and orientation
Sales, Marketing and Consumer-oriented
Business building experience
Government and Labour stakeholder engagement experience

Managerial and Technical Competencies: