Chief of Staff to the GMD

Job title: Chief of Staff to the GMDLocation: Lagos Reports to: Group Managing DirectorIndustry: Fashion (Luxury Retail) Job PurposeThe Chief of Staff to the GMD acts as a trusted thought partner and strategic enabler, supporting the GMD in driving organizational priorities, overseeing critical initiatives, and ensuring effective decision-making. The role is both strategic and operational, requiring ambidexterity in balancing big picture thinking with day-to-day execution. The Chief of Staff will serve as a connector across departments, a driver of accountability, and a guardian of alignment with the organisation’s vision, culture, and values.Key Responsibilities 1.     Strategic Support & Advisory • Partner with the GMD as a strategic advisor, shaping ideas into actionable plans and ensuring timely access to information for decision-making. • Scan the market and industry to generate insights, reports, and memos to inform strategic decisions. • Anticipate needs, challenges, and opportunities, proactively bringing solutions to the GMD. 2.     Project & Initiative Management • Lead and oversee high-priority projects end-to-end: developing workplans, tracking progress, mitigating risks, and ensuring timely execution. • Drive cross-functional initiatives that require orchestration across multiple departments. • Manage ad-hoc or special projects often under tight deadlines. 3.     Organizational Alignment & Coordination • Ensure alignment across teams by clarifying ownership, responsibilities, and interdependencies. • Act as a liaison between the GMD and other departments, bridging communication gaps and driving collaboration. • Partner with Internal Audit & Compliance to monitor processes, identify gaps, and support organizational efficiency.  4.     Performance Monitoring & Risk Management • Track organizational performance metrics, preparing structured updates and dashboards for the GMD. • Identify risks early and coordinate mitigation strategies. • Ensure follow-ups and action items from the GMD are completed without gaps. 5.     Communication & Representation • Draft and refine sensitive communications (emails, memos, speeches) to align with the GMD’s tone and positioning. • Represent the GMD in internal and external engagements where required. • Manage crisis communication, supporting the GMD in navigating sensitive situations.6.     Team & Cultural Stewardship • Promote the organisation’s values and culture by role-modelling integrity, discretion, and accountability. • Maintain balance within the leadership team by managing sensitive pay or role related adjustments thoughtfully.Key Requirements & Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). • 7+ years of progressive experience in strategy, management consulting, corporate planning, or senior operations roles. • Proven experience in project management, executive support, or Chief of Staff/Strategic Advisor capacity. • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities. • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics with discretion and sound judgement. Core Competencies • Strategic Mindset: Ability to connect long-term vision with actionable short-term steps. • Organizational Agility: Comfort working across diverse functions (Finance, Marketing, Operations, etc.). • Communication Excellence: Skilled at tailoring messages for different stakeholders. • Proactive Problem Solving: Anticipates issues and resolves them quickly and effectively. • Resilience & Adaptability: Thrives under pressure, shifting seamlessly between strategic and operational priorities. • Discretion & Trustworthiness: Handles confidential and sensitive matters with integrity. • Emotional Intelligence: Reads situations effectively, adapting tone and approach with the GMD and other stakeholders. • Constructive and respectful candor: Provides candid counsel to the GMD respectfully and constructively.