Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Essentially a ranch manager role, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide hands-on leadership of all day-to-day operations of Ol Pejeta, ensuring efficient delivery of services through effective systems and processes while managing a team of ~300 staff. The role holder will oversee shared services functions including roads, fencing, water and buildings to ensure cost-effective, reliable operational support and provides oversight of agribusiness operations, made up of a Boran herd and arable land. The role will ensure alignment with conservation priorities, revenue generation, and community development, while driving sustainability, performance, and operational excellence across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning, Execution & Performance Management: Translate organizational strategy into integrated operational plans, budgets, and performance frameworks. Establish and monitor KPIs, benchmarks, and reporting mechanisms to ensure timely delivery of objectives, efficient resource utilization, service quality, and continuous improvement across all functions.
• Commercial Performance & Revenue Growth: Drive revenue generation and profitability through effective management of commercial livestock and arable units, value-added products, market development, pricing optimization, and cost controls across agribusiness.
• Livestock Operations Management: Oversee all livestock day-to-day operations including genetics (including development of the Embryo Centre, breeding for the stud herd and commercial herd), growth (including weaning, grazing and fattening), veterinary services (including dipping, disease control and quarantine) and beef (slaughterhouse, pricing, customer relations and account management).
• Agribusiness Operations Management: Oversee all agricultural day-to-day operations including planning (including sales and records, rotations and optimal fodder crops) and day-to day management (including crop growth, fertilizer, pest and weed control) and harvest (including weight bridge management, sales and storage).
• Shared Services & Infrastructure Management: Oversee shared services functions including supply chain and procurement, stores and inventory, workshops and fleet, infrastructure development and maintenance (roads, dams, fencing, buildings, power and water systems), logistics, administration, ICT, digital transformation, and process improvement to support and boost operational effectiveness.
• Financial & Budget Management: Develop, manage, and monitor operational and departmental budgets, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation, financial discipline, and achievement of performance and profitability targets.
• People Leadership & Organizational Culture: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of ~300 staff, ensuring fair and equitable people management practices, staff well-being, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Governance, Risk, Compliance & Sustainability: Ensure adherence to organizational policies, statutory and regulatory requirements, and best practices. Ensure adequate, accurate records are kept and analyzed.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, conservation partners, communities, commercial partners, government and regulatory bodies to support integrated operations, compliance, and mission delivery.
• Reporting & Decision Support: Prepare and present regular operational, management, board, and incident reports, providing accurate insights to support informed decision-making and organizational oversight.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in an agricultural or engineering field.
• 15+ years of relevant experience with 5+ years in a leadership role.
• 5+ years of agricultural or infrastructure and workshop experience a plus.

Advantages

• A background in an engineering related field.
• Specialized training in livestock breeding, health management, or sustainable agriculture.
• Proven expertise in commercial livestock operations, breeding programs, and sustainability initiatives.
• Experience in a conservation-focused or community-driven agricultural project.

Key Skills and Qualities

• Financial & Project Management: Proficiency in budgeting, financial management, and oversight of complex projects.
• Operational & Technical Expertise: Advanced understanding of livestock health, breeding, and commercial agribusiness operations.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to influence diverse stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and decision-making abilities in dynamic environments.
• Collaboration: A collaborative leadership style with a passion for conservation and sustainability.