Chief Operating Officer

Company Description

Bellforte Consulting is aleading Nigerian management consulting firm that partners with organizations to strengthen leadership capacity, improve organizational performance, and enhance long-term sustainability. Our core services include Board and C-Suite recruitment, manpower/learning and development, business diagnostics, and the facilitation of high-impact management retreats.

Job Description

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive operational excellence, scale our services, and position the firm for its next phase of growth.

The COO will serve as a strategic business leader responsible for overseeing daily operations, optimizing service delivery, managing client engagements, and ensuring the firm's growth objectives are achieved. The ideal candidate is an experienced consulting professional with strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to build systems, processes, and teams for a rapidly scaling consulting practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years' experience with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or operations role.
• Experience in Board/C-Suite recruitment, HR consulting, or organizational development is an added advantage.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CIPM, SHRM, ICAN, PMP) are an asset.

Additional Information

Key Responsibilities

A. Operational Leadership

• Oversee the firm's end-to-end operations across all service lines.
• Design and implement operational frameworks, policies, and SOPs.
• Ensure quality assurance and consistency in all client deliverables.
• Supervise project teams to ensure timelines, budgets, and scope are met.

B. Strategy & Business Growth

• Partner with the CEO to set strategic direction and execute growth plans.
• Drive business development initiatives, proposal conversions, and client expansion.
• Develop new consulting offerings and refine existing solutions for market relevance.
• Lead market intelligence and competitive analysis activities.

C. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Manage and deepen relationships with key clients, boards, and senior executives.
• Ensure exceptional client experience and high retention rates.
• Oversee high-level engagements including board recruitment, C-suite search assignments, business reviews, and retreats.

D. People & Performance Management

• Build and supervise high-performing consulting, research, and L&D teams.
• Drive internal capacity-building and performance management systems.
• Ensure continuous learning and alignment across the firm.

E. Financial Management

• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization.
• Monitor profitability across projects and service lines.
• Develop financial performance dashboards for leadership review.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong background in management consulting, HR consulting, or recruitment advisory.
• Proven experience leading operations or practice areas within a consulting firm.
• Excellent project management and execution capability.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and client-facing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to optimize profitability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement strength.
• Integrity, confidentiality, and professional presence.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Operational Efficiency
- Reduction in turnaround time for recruitment, diagnostics, and L&D engagements.
- Delivery of projects within scope, budget, and deadlines.
- Implementation and adherence to operational SOPs.
- Business Growth
- Increase in client acquisition and retention rates.
- Year-on-year revenue and profitability growth across service lines.
- Successful launch of new services/products.
- Client Satisfaction
- High client satisfaction scores and repeat business.
- Zero critical client complaints.
- Strong reference ability from senior executives and board clients.
- Team & Organizational Development
- Improved staff productivity and competency development.
- Reduction in staff turnover.
- Successful implementation of performance management and learning programs.
- Financial Stewardship
- Achievement of quarterly and annual financial targets.
- Effective cost management and operational budget efficiency.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Operational Efficiency
- Business Growth

Client Satisfaction

Team & Organizational Development
- Financial Stewardship
- Reduction in turnaround time for recruitment, diagnostics, and L&D engagements.
- Delivery of projects within scope, budget, and deadlines.
- Implementation and adherence to operational SOPs.
- Increase in client acquisition and retention rates.
- Year-on-year revenue and profitability growth across service lines.
- Successful launch of new services/products.
- High client satisfaction scores and repeat business.
- Zero critical client complaints.
- Strong reference ability from senior executives and board clients.
- Improved staff productivity and competency development.
- Reduction in staff turnover.
- Successful implementation of performance management and learning programs.
- Achievement of quarterly and annual financial targets.
- Effective cost management and operational budget efficiency.