Strategic Operations Manager

<div><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This position is with&nbsp;<a class="notion-link-token notion-focusable-token notion-enable-hover" href="https://www.manifest.inc/about-us" target="_blank" data-token-index="1"><span class="link-annotation-unknown-block-id--574351288">Manifest Global</span></a>, which also includes trailblazer brands such as Cialfo, Explore, BridgeU, and Kaaiser.</span></div> <div> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span data-contrast="none">Manifest Global empowers in building companies that connect the world towards growth, prosperity, and innovation. Our portfolio includes trailblazer brands such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cialfo.co/about-us" target="_blank">Cialfo</a>, <a href="https://bridge-u.com/about/careers/" target="_blank">BridgeU</a>, <a href="https://www.explore.study/careers" target="_blank">Explore</a>, and <a href="https://kaaiser.net/careers" target="_blank">Kaaiser</a>, which are dedicated to expanding global student mobility by serving their respective stakeholders in the ecosystem.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>Our Mission </strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span data-contrast="none">To create a world where every student, regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, and learning preference, gets equal access to higher education through our world-class network of portfolio brands; a network that globally connects community stakeholders that provide the finest resources and support material, anywhere in the world and at any time.</span></span></p> </div> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>About This Role</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We are seeking a Strategic Operations Manager for the Strategic Operations division to work directly with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) on high-impact initiatives across the organization. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, execution, and operational excellence, acting as an extension of the COO’s office to drive critical projects, manage key priorities, and ensure organizational alignment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The ideal candidate is a highly organized operator with strong analytical thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to execute complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders. This role is best suited for someone who enjoys solving ambiguous problems, driving cross-functional projects, and managing both strategic and operational workstreams.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This role is critical to the success of the COO’s office and the broader organization, helping translate leadership priorities into operational outcomes, ensuring that key initiatives are executed effectively and efficiently.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">What You Will Be Doing</span></h2> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What You Will Execute on a Day to Day Basis:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You shall operate as a force multiplier for the COO by driving operational priorities, coordinating cross-functional execution, and ensuring decisions taken in leadership forums are followed through and implemented.</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Strategic Initiatives &amp; Special Projects</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lead and execute high-priority strategic projects initiated by the COO across business units.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Conduct internal diagnostics to support decision-making.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Translate leadership priorities into structured plans, timelines, and deliverables.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Track progress of strategic initiatives and ensure timely execution.</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>COO Office Operations</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Act as a force multiplier for the COO, managing operational priorities and follow-ups.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Prepare briefing notes, executive presentations, reports, and dashboards for leadership meetings.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Support the COO in structuring internal initiatives and cross-team collaboration.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ensure decisions taken in leadership forums are followed through and implemented.</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Cross-Functional Project Management</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Coordinate projects across departments such as product, marketing, finance, and operations.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Identify operational bottlenecks and propose process improvements.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Drive accountability across teams to ensure project milestones and outcomes are achieved.</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Administrative &amp; Execution Support</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Manage project documentation, meeting preparation, and action tracking for COO initiatives.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Support the COO in organizing leadership reviews, strategic planning sessions, and operational updates.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ensure smooth coordination between the COO and internal stakeholders.</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What You Will Lead, Strategize &amp; Develop On A Regular Basis:</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strategic execution focuses on enabling leadership priorities through structured planning, performance tracking, and decision-ready reporting that supports organizational alignment and operational excellence.</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Data, Reporting &amp; Insights</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Build and maintain operational dashboards and performance tracking systems.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Analyze business metrics and provide insights to guide strategic decisions.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Prepare monthly and quarterly business review materials.</span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>About You</strong></span></h2> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You must be a highly organized operator with strong analytical thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to execute complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders. You should be comfortable working in ambiguity, managing multiple priorities simultaneously, and balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution.</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Qualifications:</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7+ years of experience in roles such as:</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Experience working closely with C-Suite or Founders is strongly preferred.</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Skills:</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong project management and execution skills</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Excellent analytical and structured problem-solving ability</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ability to work across multiple teams and drive alignment</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong written and verbal communication</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">High attention to detail with strong organizational discipline</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Knowledge:</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Highly proactive and comfortable working in ambiguity</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong ownership mindset with high accountability</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>You Are A Notch Above If You Have</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Prior experience working closely with senior leadership or founders.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Demonstrated experience driving ambiguous, cross-functional initiatives end-to-end.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong comfort operating across both strategic workstreams and operational execution, with high ownership and accountability.</span></li> </ul> </li> </ul>