Chief of Staff to the Chairman

Purpose

The Chief of Staff to the Chairman role is designed to multiply the effectiveness of the Chairman by driving execution, accountability and operational excellence across the organization while also supporting selected personal executive responsibilities.

Position Summary

Panda Africa is seeking a highly organized, proactive and trustworthy Chief of Staff to serve as the Chairman's right hand. This is not an administrative role—it is an operational leadership role. The Chief of Staff will ensure the Chairman's time is spent on the highest-value activities by managing priorities, coordinating strategic initiatives, driving accountability across the organization and overseeing many aspects of the Chairman's professional and personal operations.

The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, anticipates needs, maintains complete confidentiality and demonstrates exceptional organizational ability.

Executive Operations

• Manage the Chairman's calendar and priorities.

• Coordinate meetings and agendas.

• Ensure meetings produce action items and follow-up.

• Manage email correspondence and draft responses.

• Prepare reports, presentations and briefing documents.

• Organize domestic and international travel.

• Prioritize incoming requests and communications.

Project Management

• Track strategic initiatives.

• Follow up with department heads.

• Maintain executive dashboards.

• Ensure deadlines are met.

• Coordinate cross-functional projects.

• Identify bottlenecks before they become problems.

Investor Relations Support

• Track investor communications.

• Coordinate investor meetings.

• Maintain CRM records.

• Prepare investment materials.

• Follow up on outstanding requests.

• Ensure timely investor communication.

Executive Office Management

• Build weekly executive reports.

• Organize documentation.

• Maintain confidential records.

• Coordinate board meetings.

• Prepare meeting notes.

• Manage executive filing systems.

Personal Operations

Support the Chairman with travel planning, appointments, family calendar management, expense tracking, bill reminders, vehicle registrations, event planning, gift purchasing, reservation management, and coordination with household service providers.

Success Looks Like

Within six months: Inbox Zero, every meeting has an agenda and follow-up, projects remain on schedule, investor communication is timely, travel runs seamlessly, leadership accountability improves and the Chairman spends significantly more time on strategic growth.

Required Skills

Exceptional organization; communication; project management; attention to detail; emotional intelligence; confidentiality; business judgment; problem-solving; independence; ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; 5+ years supporting senior executives; finance, banking, consulting, or high-growth experience; Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp or Zoho; presentation/report preparation.

Core Traits

Highly trustworthy, calm under pressure, resourceful, organized, professional, proactive, adaptable, solutions-oriented, detail-oriented, passionate about excellence.

Reporting Structure

Reports directly to the Chairman. Works closely with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Investors, External Partners, and Board Members.

What Success will look like..

The Chief of Staff exists to multiply the effectiveness of the Chairman. Success is measured not by how many tasks are completed, but by how effectively the organization executes because the Chairman is focused on the highest-impact decisions.