At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence in forest restoration projects across West Africa.
- Company: Join Rainforest Builder, a leader in tropical forest restoration and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant travel and engagement with senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of environmental change while developing scalable systems.
- Qualifications: 4-7 years experience in operational consulting or high-performance roles.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
About the Organisation
Rainforest Builder is a large-scale tropical forest restoration company operating in West Africa, focused on restoring degraded, biodiverse ecosystems through long-term, community-centred projects. With operations across multiple countries, a workforce of 2,000+ employees, and thousands of hectares already restored, the organisation is scaling towards 100,000+ hectares under management in the next three years. Projects are long-term and aligned with leading international standards (e.g. VERRA VCS, CCB), delivering measurable climate, biodiversity, and socioeconomic outcomes in partnership with global organisations and local communities.
The Role
Sitting in the co-CEO Office, you will be the co-CEO's right hand on operational execution — diagnosing gaps, designing systems, and embedding them across projects and functions. The role is not tied to a single function. You will move across priority areas (forest protection, restoration, livelihoods, ESG), going deep on one problem at a time and leaving behind scalable systems. This is a hands-on transformation role: diagnose → design → implement → embed. Your mandate is to take us from project-based execution to repeatable systems, bringing structure, accountability, and leadership visibility to fast-scaling operations across geographies. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports — your influence comes from structured thinking, rigour, and trust, not headcount.
Requirements
- Diagnostics: Rapidly assess operational performance, identify bottlenecks, and prioritise high-impact interventions.
- System design: Build SOPs, workflows, and decision-making processes that are practical, field-ready, and scalable.
- Performance & accountability: Define KPIs, build reporting frameworks and dashboards, and establish clear ownership across teams.
- Implementation: Work directly with field teams to roll out systems and ensure adoption through training and iteration.
- Tooling: Evaluate and introduce tools that improve data collection, operational tracking, and decision-making.
- co-CEO support & stakeholder representation: Act as a proxy for the CEO on operational priorities and cross-functional execution. Over time, the role is expected to involve managing high-level meetings with senior stakeholders in West Africa — including government representatives, ministers, and strategic partners — alongside or on behalf of the co-CEO. Final decisions remain with the co-CEO.
What Success Looks Like (12–18 Months):
- Consistent operating systems embedded across all major functions
- Reliable KPIs and reporting across projects and geographies
- Measurable improvements in operational efficiency and execution quality
- A strong accountability culture, with less firefighting and ad hoc decision-making
- Real-time performance visibility for leadership
- Growing presence in senior external engagements, building toward independent representation of the CEO with government and strategic partners
Who you are
- 4–7 years total experience, of which at least 2 in top-tier operational consulting or high-performance operational roles in complex, field-based environments
- Strong track record solving operational problems and implementing durable systems, KPIs, and performance frameworks
- Exceptional structured thinking; able to move between strategy and execution seamlessly
- Credible and composed in senior stakeholder environments — able to hold your own with executives, partners, and government counterparts
- Equally effective with field teams and in the boardroom
- Low ego, high ownership, strong bias for action, and resilient in ambiguous, fast-changing settings
- Willing to travel frequently and spend real time in the field
- Motivated by long-term environmental and social impact
- Experience in emerging markets preferred
Location
West Africa (Ghana / Sierra Leone) preferred; London considered. Frequent site travel required (strict minimum requirement of 15 weeks travel per year if London-based).
Head of Operational Excellence (Rainforest Builder) in City of London employer: Semata.ai (Kupa)
Rainforest Builder is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to large-scale tropical forest restoration in West Africa. With a strong commitment to community-centred projects and measurable environmental impact, employees benefit from a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. The organisation prioritises professional growth, providing opportunities to engage with senior stakeholders and develop scalable operational systems, all while making a meaningful difference in biodiversity and local livelihoods.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operational Excellence (Rainforest Builder) in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Rainforest Builder. Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s mission and projects. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your skills can help solve them. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely passionate about their work!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Operational Excellence. Focus on your problem-solving skills and how you’ve successfully implemented systems in the past. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Rainforest Builder. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operational Excellence (Rainforest Builder) in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for operational excellence and environmental impact shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission at Rainforest Builder!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in operational consulting or high-performance roles. We love details, so share specific examples of how you've solved problems and implemented systems in complex environments.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the skills and experiences that match the job description. We’re looking for someone who can seamlessly move between strategy and execution, so show us you can do just that.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Semata.ai (Kupa)
✨Know Your Ecosystem
Before the interview, dive deep into Rainforest Builder's mission and projects. Understand their approach to restoring ecosystems and how they engage with local communities. This knowledge will help you connect your experience to their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've diagnosed operational issues and implemented effective solutions in previous roles. Highlight your structured thinking and ability to design scalable systems, as these are crucial for the Head of Operational Excellence position.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Scenarios
Anticipate questions about managing relationships with senior stakeholders, including government representatives. Practice articulating how you would represent the co-CEO and navigate complex discussions, showcasing your credibility and composure in high-stakes environments.
✨Demonstrate a Bias for Action
Emphasise your proactive approach to operational challenges. Share instances where you've taken initiative to drive change, especially in fast-paced or ambiguous settings. This will resonate well with the organisation's need for someone who can embed accountability and efficiency across their operations.
