Chief Operating Officer

Our client operates in the IT industry. They are currently seeking to recruit a Chief Operating Officer to join their team.

 

The chosen candidate will work in close partnership with the CEO, being responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational running of the business. The COO will also eventually lead the business through a planned succession to the Chief Executive role.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Owning end-to-end operational performance across all business units and functions.
• Driving efficiency, continuous improvement, and scalability of processes and systems.
• Establishing, monitoring and reporting on KPIs across all departments to the CEO and board.
• Overseeing supply chain, logistics or service delivery relevant to the company’s sector.
• Leading and developing the senior leadership team on a day-to-day basis.
• Driving talent development, succession planning and retention strategies.
• Championing and embedding company values, culture and employee engagement.
• Overseeing performance management frameworks and HR policy in partnership with the HR Director.
• Collaborating closely with the CFO on budgeting, forecasting and cost management.
• Ensuring all operational decisions align with financial targets and shareholder expectations.
• Holding full or shared P&L accountability as defined by the CEO.
• Partnering with the CEO in strategic planning, scenario modelling and execution.
• Leading or sponsoring expansion initiatives, new market entry or product/service development.
• Building and maintaining key external relationships with clients, partners, regulators and stakeholders.
• Ensuring full regulatory compliance, particularly within the EU and Maltese legal framework.
• Maintaining strong internal controls, risk management practices, and audit readiness.
• Preparing and presenting operational reports to the Board and relevant committees.
• Engaging in a structured handover plan with the outgoing CEO.
• Presenting at Board level and assuming CEO responsibilities progressively as agreed.

 

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Background in a relevant sector aligned with the company’s industry of IT.
• A number of years of progressive leadership experience, with at least 3 years at COO or senior management level.
• Proven track record of scaling operations in a growth-oriented environment.
• Working knowledge of the Maltese business environment, with knowledge of regulatory landscape, talent market, and stakeholder ecosystem being highly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop and hold teams accountable.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to read and challenge P&L, budgets and forecasts.
• Outstanding communication skills, communicating effectively at Board level and with frontline staff.

 

Additional Requirements:

• High personal integrity, professionalism and discretion.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with an eye for opportunity and growth.
• Collaborative and loyal, with a genuine commitment to the organisation’s long-term success.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Strategic thinker, comfortable executing at a detailed level.