Special Projects Lead – Chief of Staff to the COO

The Disruptors Den

Special Projects Lead at ALX Africa driving COO's initiatives and coordinating cross-functional projects. Focused on strategic execution and operational efficiency for a non-profit organization.

Posted 6/3/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead or support cross-functional projects across ALX.
Translate strategic priorities into clear project plans, owners, milestones, risks, and decision points.
Drive execution of special projects that cut across multiple teams or regions.
Identify bottlenecks, escalate risks, and ensure timely resolution.
Prepare project updates, decision memos, and executive briefings.
Ensure priority initiatives maintain momentum and do not get stuck between functions.
Support the design and management of org-level dashboards, operating reviews, and performance routines.
Track progress against key strategic priorities and surface risks early.
Coordinate follow-ups from leadership meetings and ensure clear ownership of next steps.
Help teams move from discussion to decision to delivery.
Support quarterly and sprint planning, retrospectives, and execution reviews.
Support workstreams connected to fundraising, partnerships, Corporate Training and other emerging revenue priorities.
Coordinate cross-functional inputs needed to unlock revenue opportunities.
Prepare materials for internal decision-making, partner conversations, and funder engagement.
Track execution against priority revenue initiatives and ensure dependencies are clear.
Prepare briefing notes, talking points, leadership updates, and presentation materials.
Synthesise complex information into clear recommendations.
Conduct research, analysis, and problem-solving on ambiguous business questions.
Help the COO prepare for key internal and external meetings.
Capture decisions and ensure follow-through after leadership discussions.
Build strong relationships with functional and regional leaders.
Facilitate alignment across teams with different priorities, constraints, and timelines.
Clarify roles, responsibilities, decision rights, and escalation paths.
Support sensitive or high-priority initiatives that require discretion, judgment, and strong stakeholder management.

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of experience in strategy, operations, consulting, project management, business operations, startup operations, or a similar role.
Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects from ambiguity to execution.
Excellent structured thinking and problem-solving skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level materials.
Comfort working with senior leaders and influencing without formal authority.
Strong project management discipline, including owners, timelines, risks, dependencies, and follow-through.
High judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
High confidentiality.
Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities.
Strong analytical skills and comfort working with metrics, dashboards, and performance reviews.
Deep alignment with ALX's mission and commitment to creating opportunity for young Africans at scale.
Strong proficiency in Google Workspace, especially Sheets, Slides, and Docs.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Visit our website www.alxafrica.com to learn more about our digital revolution.

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Hard Skills & Tools

project managementstrategic planningproblem-solvingdata analysisperformance trackingstakeholder managementexecutive communicationcross-functional project executionrisk managementmetrics analysis

Soft Skills

structured thinkinginfluencing without authorityemotional intelligencediscretionrelationship buildingalignment facilitationjudgmentadaptabilitycommunicationconfidentiality