Strategy and Optimisation Manager

Purpose 

The Strategy & Optimisation Manager, in support of the Managing Director or Country General Manager, is responsible for developing and driving the country’s strategic planning, corporate development initiatives, and strategic project execution. This role partners with the leadership team to translate strategy into actionable plans for business units to enable long-term business growth and ensures alignment with financial performance and transformation objectives. The incumbent acts as a strategic advisor to the leadership team, contributing to both organic and inorganic growth initiatives, including M&A activities.

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Development

• Align and guide the leadership team to ensure their plans and actions support the long-term goals.
• Understand the current state of the enterprise and identify performance gaps against existing capabilities.
• Analyse the external environment, including industry trends, competitor strategies, supply-demand dynamics, and price forecasts.
• Conduct comprehensive industry, competitor, and adjacent value chain analyses to identify opportunities for economic value creation.
• Identify, quantify, and prioritise strategic levers that enhance company value and profitability.
• Support portfolio optimisation and capital allocation decisions to maximise long-term economic returns.
• Implement tools and frameworks to assess the financial impact of strategic initiatives on enterprise value.
• Partner with Group Strategy Manager to develop strategic business cases and presentation materials for Exco and Board approval.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Lead the annual and long-term strategic planning processes, translating strategy into divisional and country-level strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate strategic initiatives to ensure alignment with financial and operational objectives.

Corporate Development & M&A

• Support the identification, evaluation, and execution of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.
• Conduct valuations, and perform scenario planning for potential transactions.
• Partner with Group Strategy Manager to coordinate due diligence processes and ensure robust business case development for investment decisions.

Strategic Projects & Transformation Initiatives

• Define clear goals, timelines, and responsibilities for each strategic initiative and monitor progress through structured reporting
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that drive transformation, growth, or competitive advantage
• Drive and oversee key strategic projects and business optimisation initiatives across in the business unit.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and country leadership to implement transformation and growth initiatives.
• Establish and track KPIs for strategic projects, ensuring progress reporting to Executive Committees.

Stakeholder & People Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal business leaders and external strategic partners.
• Influence senior stakeholders and facilitate strategic decision-making.
• Mentor and develop junior analysts or team members to strengthen strategy capability.

Qualifications

Honour’s degree in Economics, Business Science, Finance, Engineering, Human Resources or related field (essential).

Experience

• 10 – 12 years’ experience in strategy, corporate development, or management consulting.
• Exposure to African markets and emerging market environments preferred.
• Proven experience in M&A, financial modelling, and strategic project delivery.

Competencies 

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking with ability to interpret complex data.
• Financial modelling and valuation skills for corporate development projects.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills with executive presence.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Able and willing to operate in a dynamic, cross-cultural, multi-country environment.

*Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and CV in Portuguese and English.