2663 Regional Operations Director jobs in Nairobi

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,500 employees operate a network of 2,500 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Job Description

The position is 12 months fixed term contract and it is renewable.

As the Global Projects Portfolio Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the delivery, governance, and strategic alignment of the finance project portfolio. This includes process improvements, system implementations (e.g., ERP, planning tools), compliance initiatives, and organizational changes. The role ensures that all finance-related projects are prioritized, resourced, executed, and tracked to deliver measurable business value.

Key responsibilities encompass, but are not limited to:

1. Portfolio Management:

• Maintain a central view of all finance initiatives across regions, functions, and programs.
• Prioritize and balance projects based on strategic value, dependencies, and capacity.
• Ensure resource allocation aligns with portfolio priorities and timelines.

2. Governance & Execution oversight:

• Define and manage portfolio governance frameworks, templates, and reporting standards.
• Monitor project status, risks, budgets, and timelines across all finance initiatives.
• Facilitate portfolio review boards and support executive decision-making.

3. Performance Tracking:

• Track KPIs reflecting performance of projects (timeliness, productivity etc.)
• Lead portfolio-level reporting, dashboards, and executive updates.

4. Stakeholders & Change Management:

• Act as key liaison between Finance leadership, project sponsors, PMs, and global functions.
• Drive alignment across Finance, IT, HR, and other supporting functions.
• Support communication plans and organizational change activities for key initiatives.

5. Project Delivery Support:

• Coach and support finance project managers and SMEs to apply best practices.
• Standardize and improve finance project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
• Lead or co-lead complex or cross-functional finance transformation initiatives as needed.

6. Reporting & Insights:
Provide timely and insightful reports on project status, KPIs, and interdependencies

7. Methodology Enablement:
Train and support project managers in applying PMO methodologies and agile/hybrid practices

8. Change Management Support:
Partner with change teams to ensure stakeholder readiness and adoption in the region

9. Tool & System Stewardship:
Ensure correct usage of project management tools (e.g. MS Project, Kanbanize, Service Now)

10. Capability Building:
designing, adjusting and deploying PM standard and driving PMO maturity growth leveraging internal and external resources

Qualifications

Mandatory:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field (MBA or PMP is a plus)
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in project/portfolio management (preferably within Finance) and 5+ years in Project Management with exposure to various functional projects and c-level stakeholders.
• 5+ years in leadership roles or managing a team as Project Manager
• Fluent English speaking and writing
• Experience in multinational corporations (MNCs) or large matrixed organizations ($5B+ revenue)
• Proficient in portfolio/project tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Power BI, JIRA)
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including working with senior finance leadership
• Strong understanding of and ability to apply best practice for portfolio governance & reporting
• Resource & capacity planning
• Risk, Issue and dependency management
• Benefits tracking & KPI management
• Ability to present in a comparable way project value to enable prioritization of the pipeline
• Cross functional collaboration and a good team player

Preferred:

• PMP / Prince2 / Agile preferred

Additional Information

• We provide hybrid working environment.
• Opportunity to work with a global leader in inspection, verification, testing, and certification.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• The position is 12 months fixed term contract and it is renewable.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in procurement, sourcing, and supply chain management, with at least 3 years in a management or leadership role.
• Proven experience in global sourcing and managing international suppliers.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing procurement strategies that deliver significant cost savings.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage a remote team effectively.
• Proficiency in relevant procurement software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Familiarity with international trade laws, regulations, and logistics.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote environment.

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, goals, deliverables, required resources, budget, and timelines.
• Effectively manage project execution, monitor progress, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones.
• Lead and motivate cross-functional project teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and issues, developing contingency plans as needed.
• Communicate project status, updates, and key decisions to senior management and stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to project management best practices and company standards throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage project budgets, tracking expenses and ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Facilitate project meetings, workshops, and presentations.
• Conduct post-project evaluations, documenting lessons learned and identifying areas for improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Develop and implement efficient administrative policies and procedures to support global operations.
• Oversee the management of office supplies, equipment, and facilities to ensure a productive work environment.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, meeting schedules, and event logistics for executives and teams.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts related to administrative services.
• Supervise and mentor a team of administrative staff, ensuring high performance and professional development.
• Manage budgets for administrative departments and track expenses.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and relevant regulations.
• Implement and manage systems for record-keeping, document management, and information flow.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding administrative matters.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies to improve administrative efficiency and support business objectives.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in administrative management, with a focus on supporting complex organizational structures or global operations.
• Proven experience in managing administrative teams and implementing operational improvements.
• Strong understanding of office management, facilities management, and event planning.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other administrative software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with individuals at all levels.
• Experience in managing budgets and vendor contracts.
• Ability to work independently and proactively in a remote environment.
• Must be based in Kenya.

• Develop, implement, and monitor operational strategies to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Lead and mentor a team of operational staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Manage budgets, resource allocation, and operational expenditures effectively.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and company policies.
• Collaborate with various departments, including sales, marketing, and finance, to achieve organizational objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all operational processes.
• Prepare regular performance reports for senior management, highlighting key achievements and challenges.
• Implement and manage performance metrics and KPIs to track operational success.
• Foster strong relationships with external stakeholders and partners.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in operations management, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in using operational management software and tools.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage remote teams effectively.
• Experience in developing and managing budgets.
• Strong understanding of process optimization and change management.
• Ability to work independently and drive results in a remote environment.

• Developing and executing global procurement strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Identifying, evaluating, and selecting new suppliers based on quality, cost, and reliability.
• Negotiating contracts and terms with suppliers to achieve favorable pricing and service agreements.
• Managing supplier relationships, ensuring performance meets or exceeds expectations.
• Monitoring market trends and identifying opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Mitigating supply chain risks and developing contingency plans.
• Overseeing the procurement process from requisition to payment.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement policies and ethical standards.
• Collaborating with internal departments to understand their procurement needs.
• Analyzing procurement data to identify trends and areas for optimization.