Group Operations Manager

Recruiter:

Conductio Consulting

Job Ref:

CPT000037/CO

Date posted:

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Location:

Cape Town, South Africa

Salary:

Annually

SUMMARY:
Group Operations Manager (progressing to COO) | Financial-Legal Services | Cape Town, Western Cape
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: Negotiable
Industry: Financial-Legal Services

POSITION INFO:
Position: Group Operations Manager (progressing to Chief Operations Officer)
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Salary: Negotiable
About the Role
A specialist financial-legal services group is seeking a senior Group Operations Manager to assume full executive operational responsibility across its multi-entity structure. This is a rare opportunity for the right leader to step into a well-documented, structured operational platform and progress to Chief Operations Officer within 6 months of appointment.
This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
The Role
The Group Operations Manager will lead operations across four functional pillars: Group HR and People Management, ICT and Systems Oversight, Legal, Compliance and Governance, and Operational Processes and Reporting.
Key Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate daily operations across all group entities
Develop, implement and continuously improve operational systems, controls, SOPs and accountability frameworks
Lead, mentor and manage operational and legal support teams including HR, ICT and Compliance function heads
Ensure compliance with SA labour legislation (LRA, BCEA, EEA) and relevant UK employment law
Prepare and present operational reports, KPI dashboards and risk updates to the CEO
Oversee POPIA compliance (SA) and GDPR compliance (UK entities)
Manage the ICT function including infrastructure, vendor management and cybersecurity
Oversee company secretarial functions and governance frameworks across all entities
Lead group-level special projects including restructuring and process transformation
Act as a trusted operational advisor to the CEO

Minimum Requirements

Minimum 10 years senior operational leadership experience in a legal, financial services or professional services environment
Demonstrable experience managing a multi-entity or group company structure
Proven oversight of HR, ICT, legal/compliance and process management across concurrent functions
Admitted Attorney OR equivalent senior compliance, governance or legal management background
Strong financial literacy: management accounts, KPIs, budgeting and forecasting
Demonstrated cross-border or multi-jurisdiction operational experience
SA citizenship or permanent residency

Highly Advantageous

Experience with UK entities, UK employment law or IR35 awareness
Understanding of litigation funding structures and legal practice economics
Postgraduate qualification in Business Management, Law or related field (MBA advantageous)
Familiarity with POPIA and GDPR compliance frameworks

If you do not receive feedback within 4 weeks of application, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Similar jobs you might be interested in:

Group Operations Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary: Annually
group operations manager (progressing to COO) | Financial-Legal Services | Cape Town, Western CapeLocation: Cape Town, Western CapeJob Type: Permanent, Full-TimeSalary: NegotiableIndustry: Financial-Legal Services
Today

Enterprise Risk Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary:
DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTSIf you’re the kind of risk professional who hears “we’ll deal with it later” and immediately starts mapping out a mitigation plan, this Enterprise Risk manager role could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for. This is an environment where foresight, control, and a healthy dose of scepticism aren’t optional, they&...
Today

Financial Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary: 600 000 Annually
An excellent opportunity has become available within a well established retail group for a Financial manager to work closely with the group Financial manager in a key support capacity. This role offers strong exposure across reporting, finance operations, systems enhancement, and business optimisation initiatives. It is ideally suited to a newly qualified CA(SA) who enjoys leveraging technology to...
4 days ago

Management Accountant
Location: Cape Town
Salary: 816 000 Annually
Are you a numbers-driven, strategic professional, ready to play a key role in a manufacturing environment? My client is looking for someone who is excited to move beyond routine reporting and step into a role where your insights will directly influence operational decisions, production efficiency, and longâterm business growth. If you’re passionate about driving performance, and love diggi...
5 days ago

Junior PA / Executive Assistant
Location: Strand
Salary:
My client, an established group of Companies in Strand, is seeking a highly organised, professional and adaptable Junior PA / Executive Assistant to provide high-level support to the CEO, Finance manager and operations manager.This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, can juggle multiple priorities, and takes initiative in a busy business environment.
5 days ago

Financial Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary: 500 000 Annually
Power up your finance career in a fast-paced, future-focused environment where data meets infrastructure at scale.
6 days ago

Treasury Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary:
7 days ago

Financial Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary: 1 000 000 Annually
Join a global, creative organisation in a key Finance Shared Services leadership role. This position offers exposure across group reporting, controls, and financial operations in a dynamic environment. This role is ideal for an experienced Finance manager who thrives on process improvement, technical excellence, and team leadership.
8 days ago

Finance Lead / Junior Financial Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary: 600 000 Annually
Are you a newly qualified CA(SA) with retail experience and a passion for innovation? This opportunity is ideal for a forward-thinking finance professional eager to move beyond traditional reporting and play a key role in driving automation, systems improvement, and smarter ways of working. Join a fast-paced environment where your ideas and curiosity for technology will help shape the future of th...
12 days ago

Financial Manager
Location: Cape Town
Salary: 800 000 Annually
Join a leading international business as a Financial manager and take ownership of end-to-end Record-to-Report processes across multiple global entities.This role offers strong exposure to international reporting, group accounting, and process optimisation within a fast-paced, high-performing finance environment. Ideal for a driven finance professional who enjoys technical accounting, improving ef...
13 days ago