Background

Verde Edge Consulting Ltd is a new age executive HR consulting company based in Nairobi Kenya with operations running throughout the republic and the greater East Africa region. We are dedicated to revolutionizing HR practice in the new age through developing long term strategic partnerships with our clients. We are well placed to offer best breed of inno...

Job Description

Our client a Christian NGO, is establishing and growing its presence in Kenya and seeks an entrepreneurial, hands-on General Manager – Kenya to help build, lead and develop the local operations. The role will initially oversee approximately 5–15 professionals across functions that may include finance, customer service, technology and other professional services, while working closely with global leadership and functional teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the day-to-day establishment and development of Kenya operations.
• Manage, develop and motivate an initial multidisciplinary team of approximately 5–15 employees.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, performance management, coaching and professional development.
• Establish clear goals, responsibilities, accountability and effective working relationships.
• Coordinate local operational, financial, administrative, employment and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with global Finance, HR, Legal, Compliance, Technology and Operations teams.
• Monitor budgets, expenses, procurement, documentation, controls and local service providers.
• Identify and resolve operational and personnel challenges, escalating significant matters appropriately.
• Implement, document and continuously improve processes that support a scalable Kenya operation.
• Prepare regular operational updates and reports for global leadership.
• Build effective relationships between the Kenya team and colleagues across different countries and cultures.
• Help cultivate a healthy organizational culture aligned with the organizational Christian mission and values.
• Provide spiritual leadership through prayer, biblical principles and personal example.
• Remain hands-on and contribute directly to operational or professional work where required.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Leadership or team-building experience with evidence of increasing responsibility.
• At least 3-5 years of meaningful experience building or leading a small team/operation is desirable.
• Strong people skills, communication and relationship-building ability.
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on and solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Analytical, problem-solving and sound decision-making ability.
• High ownership, initiative, attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to learn quickly and work with subject-matter experts.
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and international teams.
• Humility, openness to coaching and commitment to biblical values.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• MBA or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience preferred.
• Experience leading or helping build a team, organizational, business unit, project or operation.
• Experience managing approximately 10–15 people is advantageous.
• Experience establishing a new team, office, business unit, start-up, nonprofit or similar operation is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience in finance, accounting, operations, technology, customer service, HR, compliance or nonprofit management is advantageous.
• International/multicultural experience is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the Kenyan business, employment, tax, nonprofit or regulatory environment is advantageous.

LEADERSHIP GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

The client is intentionally seeking a leader who can grow with the organization. As the Kenya operation expands, strong performance may lead to broader senior leadership responsibilities. Leadership potential, learning agility, character, judgement and the ability to build are valued alongside previous titles.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Lead a relatively small but growing Kenya team with significant interaction with international colleagues.
• Working hours are expected to substantially overlap with European and U.S. Eastern time zones, typically approximately 1:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Kenya time.
• The role combines leadership, meetings, analytical work, documentation and hands-on operational execution.
• Occasional extended hours may be necessary during important operational periods.

• Lead the day-to-day establishment and development of Kenya operations.
• Manage, develop and motivate an initial multidisciplinary team of approximately 5–15 employees.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, performance management, coaching and professional development.
• Establish clear goals, responsibilities, accountability and effective working relationships.
• Coordinate local operational, financial, administrative, employment and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with global Finance, HR, Legal, Compliance, Technology and Operations teams.
• Monitor budgets, expenses, procurement, documentation, controls and local service providers.
• Identify and resolve operational and personnel challenges, escalating significant matters appropriately.
• Implement, document and continuously improve processes that support a scalable Kenya operation.
• Prepare regular operational updates and reports for global leadership.
• Build effective relationships between the Kenya team and colleagues across different countries and cultures.
• Help cultivate a healthy organizational culture aligned with the organizational Christian mission and values.
• Provide spiritual leadership through prayer, biblical principles and personal example.
• Remain hands-on and contribute directly to operational or professional work where required.

• Leadership or team-building experience with evidence of increasing responsibility.
• Strong people skills, communication and relationship-building ability.
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on and solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Analytical, problem-solving and sound decision-making ability.
• High ownership, initiative, attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to learn quickly and work with subject-matter experts.
• Ability to work effectively across cultures and international teams.
• Humility, openness to coaching and commitment to biblical values.

• MBA or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience preferred.
• Experience leading or helping build a team, organizational, business unit, project or operation.
• Experience managing approximately 10–15 people is advantageous.
• Experience establishing a new team, office, business unit, start-up, nonprofit or similar operation is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience in finance, accounting, operations, technology, customer service, HR, compliance or nonprofit management is advantageous.
• International/multicultural experience is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the Kenyan business, employment, tax, nonprofit or regulatory environment is advantageous.