Senior Country Launch Manager
Role Description

Overview

Join a new multinational conglomerate operating across diverse sectors, including industrial, financial, real estate, utilities, materials, and more. As a dynamic and adaptive organization, we represent a regenerative system with the mission to create systems of prosperity for everyone, everywhere. With ambidextrous capabilities, we are focused on inclusive, sustainable growth and fostering long-term societal impact.

Role Summary

The Senior Country Launch Manager will lead and manage complex, high-impact projects, often in early-stage development, from concept through to implementation. This role will be responsible for establishing business operations in multiple countries, building local capacity, and ensuring alignment with the organizations broader mission of global prosperity. The role demands extensive travel, with long-term assignments of up to two years in one location, accompanied by a small support team.

You will work closely with cross-functional teams, manage stakeholder relations, and ensure the successful execution of projects in diverse sectors. You must possess a blend of leadership, project management expertise, and the ability to adapt to challenging environments. Experience working in Africa or emerging markets and a strong foundation in project development are highly desirable.

Entity Coverage

All entities within a country

Country/Location

Multiple locations worldwide

Status

Full-Time; Contractor (Contracts are based on the timeframe of project of two years.)

Role Level

Senior Line Staff

Report To

Global Chief Portfolio Officer

Direct Reports

Country Launch Managers, Project/Office Assistants and local personnel in host country

Salary and Compensation

To be determined

Work Environment

Work is conducted in traditional office environments, as well as onsite locations with clients in both urban and rural areas. Work environment is based on assignments or project.

Travel

This role requires traveling and settling in a country for up to two years at one time with a small team accompanying you.

Key Responsibilities

- Business Operations Setup

• Conduct market and feasibility studies for potential new markets and regions.
• Assess legal and regulatory requirements for establishing business operations.
• Design operational frameworks and strategies tailored to local market needs.
• Develop relationships with local service providers, suppliers, and distributors.
• Secure necessary permits and licenses for operational compliance.
• Establish local offices, warehouses, or production facilities as needed.
• Create and implement operational policies aligned with corporate standards.

• Staffing and Capacity Building

• Develop and execute staffing plans to meet the operational needs of each project.
• Recruit local and international talent with the right skills and experience.
• Provide capacity building, mentoring, coaching, and support to local staff in general and to take over roles of international talent.
• Mentor and train project teams to ensure skill development and project success.
• Implement performance management and staff development processes.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement among staff.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in staffing decisions and team development.

• Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify key local, national, and international stakeholders relevant to each project.
• Facilitate regular stakeholder meetings to ensure alignment of goals and expectations.
• Establish partnership agreements with NGOs, private firms, and government entities.
• Develop and execute a stakeholder communication and engagement plan.
• Address stakeholder concerns and incorporate feedback into project plans.
• Ensure transparency in stakeholder interactions to build trust and collaboration.
• Report regularly on stakeholder engagement activities and outcomes.

• Project Management

• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in alignment with stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including timelines and milestones.
• Allocate resources, including personnel, financial resources, and equipment.
• Track project progress and adjust timelines, budgets, or resources as needed.
• Ensure effective communication and reporting with all stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams for smooth project execution.
• Address challenges or bottlenecks and develop solutions to ensure project success.

• Data Collection and Analysis

• Design data collection frameworks tailored to project needs and goals.
• Collect baseline data to assess pre-project conditions and set performance benchmarks.
• Implement real-time data collection systems for continuous monitoring.
• Analyze data to track project performance against established KPIs.
• Generate regular reports to inform decision-making and provide insights.
• Use data analytics tools to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure data integrity and security, complying with relevant regulations.

• Early-Stage Project Development

• Identify new project opportunities in emerging markets and sectors.
• Conduct due diligence to assess the viability and risk of potential projects.
• Develop business cases and financial models to support decision-making.
• Prepare project proposals and secure approval from senior leadership.
• Engage with local stakeholders to ensure project alignment with community needs.
• Identify funding opportunities, including grants, loans, or private investments.
• Create project roadmaps for early-stage projects to guide implementation.

• Leadership & Strategic Alignment

• Ensure that all projects align with the conglomerate's broader corporate mission.
• Lead strategy sessions with senior leadership to set project priorities.
• Act as a liaison between corporate leadership and in-country project teams.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to project managers and junior staff.
• Communicate strategic objectives to local teams and external partners.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to achieve strategic goals.
• Monitor and assess project alignment with long-term corporate objectives.

• Risk Management & Compliance

• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential operational, financial, and regulatory risks.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans for each project.
• Ensure compliance with local and international legal, environmental, and ethical standards.
• Implement risk monitoring systems to detect early warning signs of potential issues.
• Engage legal and compliance teams to navigate complex regulatory environments.
• Review and update risk management frameworks as project conditions change.
• Develop crisis management plans to respond to unexpected disruptions.

• Regenerative and Sustainable Practices

• Integrate circular economy principles into project design and operations.
• Ensure resource efficiency by promoting energy conservation and waste reduction.
• Incorporate low-carbon solutions and renewable energy into projects.
• Monitor and reduce the environmental footprint of each project.
• Collaborate with sustainability experts to optimize regenerative practices.
• Foster local biodiversity and ecosystem health through project activities.
• Develop sustainability reporting frameworks for transparent impact measurement.

• Financial Oversight & Resource Allocation

• Prepare detailed project budgets, ensuring alignment with financial objectives.
• Monitor project spending to ensure costs stay within budgetary constraints.
• Optimize resource allocation to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.
• Engage with finance teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and forecasting.
• Review financial performance regularly and adjust project plans as needed.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and improve project profitability.
• Ensure financial transparency and accountability across all project activities.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Introduce new technologies and tools to enhance project efficiency and sustainability.
• Promote a culture of experimentation, encouraging teams to test new ideas.
• Benchmark against industry best practices to drive continuous improvement.
• Implement lessons learned from past projects to enhance future performance.
• Encourage cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation across sectors.
• Monitor industry trends to stay ahead of emerging technologies and methodologies.
• Create a platform for team members to share insights and innovation ideas.

• Policy Advocacy and Government Relations

• Engage with government bodies to navigate regulatory frameworks and business permits.
• Advocate for policy changes that support sustainable business operations.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with local, national, and international policymakers.
• Actively participate in government and industry forums to influence policy decisions.
• Facilitate discussions between the company and regulatory bodies to streamline processes.
• Monitor legislative developments that could impact business operations.
• Develop and execute advocacy campaigns to promote the companys interests.

• Community Development and Social Impact

• Design community development initiatives that align with project goals.
• Foster local job creation and inclusive economic growth through project activities.
• Ensure that projects contribute positively to the social fabric of local communities.
• Engage local leaders and community members in project planning and execution.
• Monitor the social impact of projects, including job creation and infrastructure improvements.
• Address community concerns and ensure that projects respect local customs and needs.
• Promote equitable access to project benefits for marginalized groups.

• Cross-Functional Coordination and Ambidextrous Leadership

• Facilitate collaboration between corporate functions (legal, finance, HR) and project teams.
• Manage the integration of different business units into project execution plans.
• Ensure alignment between short-term project objectives and long-term strategic goals.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to ensure smooth project coordination.
• Balance operational efficiency with innovative practices to drive project success.
• Support the use of adaptive leadership principles to manage complex, dynamic projects.
• Provide clear communication and reporting channels across all functions.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Develop comprehensive M&E frameworks tailored to project goals and objectives.
• Implement real-time data collection and monitoring systems to track progress.
• Conduct periodic evaluations to measure project impact and outcomes.
• Capture and document lessons learned from project implementation.
• Use evaluation findings to improve future project design and execution.
• Share key insights and learning with internal and external stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of learning and reflection within project teams to drive continuous improvement.
• Perform any duties or responsibilities given by leaders you report to as needed.

Required Experience, Skills, and Personality

• Graduate degree in Business Administration, International Development, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in project management, international development, or business operations in diverse industries and countries.
• Proven track record of leading large, complex, multi-sectoral projects with significant budgets.
• Ability to synergize business, people, task, and technical aspects on projects.
• Deep experience in project development in Africa and who currently live on the Continent. (Preferred)
• Experience developing and/or managing integrated projects across sectors, including economic and social infrastructure. (Preferred)
• Familiarity with agile/extreme/rapid/critical chain approaches for project management
• Fluent in English (required)
• Fluency also in French, Spanish, Portuguese, and/or Arabic (preferred)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong reporting skills
• Competence with Microsoft Project, Visio, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, as well as the Internet, computers, and email (or similar programs)
• Ability to feel comfortable working with unproven/challenging new concepts
• Desire to learn new and different approaches
• Experience with active listening and building relationships
• Ability to work with all levels of stakeholders from government, society, and business to further the goals of projects, engagements, and ventures
• Ability to think quickly and take appropriate risks
• Ability to work on your own, as well as on teams
• Ability to work with high-level strategy down to detailed tasks
• Open, respectable communication
• Familiarity with PMI, PRINCE2, and Agile project management methodologies.
• Passion for the work
• Serving and building others up
• Ability to innovate, problem-solve, and create new things
• Ability to build win-win, mutually beneficial relationships and solutions
• Ability to appropriate resolve conflict
• Ability to work in an ambidextrous organization
• Ability to handle environments with chaos, turbulence, and constant change
• Valid drivers license and passport

Salary Range and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Health benefits, retirement plan, and vacation included for full-time staff (others have access to benefits through our association of affiliates)
• Bonuses based on performance
• Two weeks of time off and pay during end of year holidays if been with organization in any full-time capacity for a year

Career Progression

• Potential to take on more leadership roles within Global Portfolio, Projects, Programs, and Products Office
• Can lead to full-time employment if role not currently full-time employment
• Organization provides training and development opportunities

• Organization provides support for the development of entrepreneurial ideas, internally and externally

Background Checks

• Criminal, credit, and reference checks will be conducted
• Background check results may impact an offer
• Compliance with local privacy laws will be upheld

Inclusive Opportunity Statement

• Committed to providing economic opportunities for everyone and paths to help people secure those opportunities
• Non-discrimination, respectful, and dignity policies in place
• Accommodations for disabilities available when feasible

How to Apply

• Apply online with resume and cover letter
• Applications accepted until position is filled
• Interview process will include phone and in-person or remote interviews

Disclaimer

• This role description is not a contract
• Duties may change based on organization needs
• Employment or contract duration is not guaranteed
• Employees and non-employee hires must adhere to organization policies and procedures