POSITION : CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
DIVISION : COO
REPORTLINE : GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GCEO)
POSITION ID : 60004495

Reporting to the Group Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will assist the GCEO in the development of organization strategy, policies and goals that ensure operational excellence, broadcast continuity and quality, employee, financial performance, digital transformation and innovation, as well as the sustained growth of the functions and business units set out above. Operations is the home of the majority of SABC employees. The role of COO will therefore require an incumbent to live out the principles and practices of effective leadership, develop high-performance/high-engagement working environments and to apply effective talent management practices to optimise the contribution of all its people.

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COO STRATEGY

Together with other members of Exco, support and enable the crafting and execution of corporate and functional unit/divisional strategies.
Develop and provide effective strategic oversight.
Ensure the effective performance management of all Operations Divisions to ensure objectives are well aligned, cascaded, executed, reviewed and course corrected.
Contribute to commercial viability and sustainability through effective content acquisition, scheduling and programming.
Grow SABC Plus as the corporation’s flagship platform and offering.
Ensure competitiveness of content/programming across radio stations, television/entertainment/digital channels in their respective markets (audience satisfaction & market share growth).
Support marketing and advertising to attract relevant advertising and sponsorships.
Deliver on Operations commercial opportunities, inclusive of the digitisation and sale of legacy content and revenue associated with outside broadcasts.
Prudent development and ongoing management of all Operations budgets (capex & opex) and costs, in accordance with Finance/SCM policies and procedures to ensure sound governance and financial viability.
Ongoing monitoring and control of capex and opex expenses against approved budget, including cost containment initiatives as may be required.
Oversee and cause the sound management of all Operations’ assets and resources in line with prescripts and policies.

CONTENT AND AUDIENCES - OPERATIONS

Deliver relevant, compelling content and programming across the right platforms, channels and devices to ensure audience satisfaction and growth.
Develop and implement a comprehensive content strategy that aligns with the broadcaster’s mission and goals across public and commercial broadcasting.
Successfully cover events of national importance as required.
Deliver innovative, compelling public interest content to deliver successfully on SABC mandate.
Collaboratively lead a thriving content-creation ecosystem in South Africa through industry engagement and development.
Ensure that audience segmentation & insights reports (with specific reference to the SABC’s commercial and public interest mandates) are developed.
Ensure audience growth and retention across all SABC platforms and channels.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION

Successfully manage the day-to-day operations of the SABC including broadcasts, digital media, content acquisition, scheduling and programming in accordance with sound management principles, operational excellence and practices and in accordance with the SABC mandate and the requirements of its regulatory environment.
Secure and protect the SABC’s digital and physical infrastructure and architecture, data, systems, people and processes from unauthorized intrusion and threats, including ransomware, hacking or crime.
Implement the required technical, technological and broadcast engineering solutions to ensure broadcast continuity as well as ongoing improvements/innovations in efficiency and effectiveness.
Develop effective controls and management systems to ensure optimised, well-managed operations.
Develop a pipeline of innovative digital and other relevant solutions that deliver real and sustained value to the SABC.
Invest in people development including the acquisition of relevant skills, knowledge and expertise.

GOVERNANCE, RISK AND COMPLIANCE

Ensure adherence to policies, organisational imperatives, legislative and any other regulatory prescripts.
Assess, manage and mitigate risk effectively and proactively.
Implement internal control measures to ensure good governance and compliance with SABC policies and procedures.
Ensure compliance with all relevant SABC Internal Controls.
Ensure the necessary frequency of internal risk audits and address any gaps that may be identified.
Monitor and report on inter-regional operational risks and compliance.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

Develop local, continental and global partnerships with relevant broadcasters, broadcast, technology and media industry players.
Review existing strategic partnerships on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are sound and deliver the expected outcomes.
Develop MoUs with key strategic partners to leverage resources and optimise Operations execution of its strategy/plan.
Together with other Executive Directors, facilitate proper and timeous communication with stakeholders to best represent the interests of the SABC and enhance its reputation.

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

Practice professional leadership and management at all times.
Communicate, collaborate and engage effectively and professionally with the Board, GCEO, Exco and all other work colleagues.
Identify and develop a pipeline of talent, across and within Mission Critical Job Families, to serve the current and future needs and requirements of the SABC.
Reskill and upskill the people of the SABC to ensure that they are fit for purpose for today and tomorrow’s world of work.
Comply with all legislative and policy requirements with regard to the attraction, management, retention and termination of employees and independent contractors.
Develop an enabling environment for the attraction and retention of talented people.
Ensure the effective briefing, communication and management of all Operations people, including in the regions.
Ensure the most effective and efficient management of a permanent and contingent Operations workforce to deliver on SABC’s requirements and manage the overall cost of employment.
Implement a disciplined, coherent approach to employee engagement that optimises discretionary effort and talent retention.
Shape a coherent, relevant culture and climate in Operations, aligned to the SABC corporate strategy and cultural aspirations.

INHERENT REQUIREMENTS

Relevant Master’s Degree (NQF 9) in Business Management, Engineering or Operations, or Leadership, or equivalent qualifications in a related field.

EXPERIENCE

10 or more years work-related experience at an Executive Management level in a relevant, related industry - including the broadcast, media or digital technology industries.
5 or more years should have been at Group Executive level, preferably in the Operations function of a media, technology, broadcast-related business or similar commercial enterprise.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge and experience of best-in-practice corporate governance, including the King IV Code of Good Governance.
Familiarity with applicable legislative frameworks and regulations including the Broadcasting Act, the Electronic Communications Act, the Public Finance Management Act, ICASA regulations (including the Must Carry regulations) and other related National Treasury regulations and their implications.
Familiarity with the Audio and Audio-Visual Content Services (AAVCS) - Draft White Paper.
Familiarity with the SABC Bill.
Familiarity with the Broadcast Digital Migration (BDM) process and the Analogue Switch-Off (ASO) program.

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SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION SOC LIMITED

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