Job Opening: Managing Director
09/11/21

Role: : Managing Director
Reporting to: Board of Directors
Experience: 8+ years professional experience in leading and building growth stage creative industry businesses.
Employment Type: Full Time Employment
Location: Nairobi, Kenya

We see a world where all buildings are radically better: buildings that are net zero carbon, more equitably designed, and enhance quality of life and wellbeing.

BuildX is a design-build-develop B Corporation incorporated in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2016. We leverage our capabilities in architecture, engineering and construction to identify and create real estate projects which set radically better examples for social and environmental impact.

Following a Theory of Change approach, we build partnerships to package these innovations for replication at scale, transforming the way we build and its impact on people and our planet.

We are looking for a “charismatic doer” – someone who is an effective leader both internally (prepared to get stuck in to build a young and growing company) and externally (able to attract others, such as clients, investors, or partners, to be part of our journey).

The right person will be a proven leader, networker, and strategist, with 8+ years of dynamic experience and a strong track record of commercial success, and building strong teams to scale a growth-stage company. They will understand what it takes to lead a startup in an emerging market, and will have the flexibility and drive to go the distance.

The Managing Director will be expected to drive company performance, to execute on our strategy, and to deliver success against a triple bottom line: profit, people, planet. 

You will be joining BuildX at a critical juncture, following our first external equity raise, as we seek to scale up our operations and impact across design, construction, and real estate development. Your role is designed to free up the co-founders whose focus needs to remain firmly on BuildX’s success as a creative and innovative industry leader, in this regard following in the footsteps of many of the world’s top design companies.

You’ll be at the forefront of a talented and diverse team of almost 40 to refine and execute BuildX’s growth strategy, as we seek to disrupt and transform an outdated industry toward radically better building practices. The role will entail:

Strategy & Strategic Planning
You will own the business plan and lead the planning and execution of BuildX’s strategy, developing and maintaining clear OKRs and ensuring strong triple bottom line performance.

Business Development
You will actively network by using existing and newly established connections to secure new business opportunities, clients, and partnerships, that boost BuildX’s revenues and impact. You will also represent BuildX publicly at events, conferences, and other speaking engagements.

Business Management
You will lead the Company by making critical decisions about company policy, strategy execution, and high-level business operations. You will ensure proper governance, risk mitigation, and compliance.

Leadership, Team & Culture
You will be an inspired leader and champion of BuildX’s mission and values, leading BuildX’s overall talent strategy and working culture. You will also serve as a mentor and coach to build a strong and successful team.

We are seeking a proven business leader, networker, and strategist passionate about impact and skilled in building successful growth-stage companies.

Core Competencies
There are some key skills and qualities that are a must-have for this role:

  • A strong decision-maker, able to make timely and hard decisions in the face of uncertainty.
  • Ability to listen, process, and build alignment between various stakeholders, such as the Board of Directors, BuildX team, or BuildX’s investors.
  • A gifted coach and mentor to others, with the ability to grow a motivated/successful team.
  • Ability to inspire confidence and instil trust both internally and externally.
  • A strong negotiator, with a proven ability to secure new opportunities or gain the best deal.
  • Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively, delegate, and to be able to ask for help.
  • Knowledge of profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow management, and general finance and budgeting.
  • Experience with corporate governance.
  • Understanding of human resources, talent strategy, and performance management.
  • Exceptional public speaking/presentation skills, able to craft and deliver a compelling pitch.
  • Strong English writing and verbal skills.

Standing Out
In addition to the above, we’ll get very excited by candidates with expertise and experience in:

  • Creative Entrepreneurship – a proven entrepreneur with a successful track record in leading a creative industry company;
  • Built Environment – knowledge and understanding of the built environment sector and related business models (no need for specific technical expertise);

Other Criteria
You must be a proven business leader with over 8 years experience and a track record in East Africa or other emerging markets. You should be passionate about social business, driven to deliver triple bottom line (profit, people, planet) success.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is of the greatest importance to us. At BuildX we celebrate our diverse team and welcome all applicants warmly.

Our Commitment to You
BuildX Studio is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We do not discriminate, and we recognise and embrace that people work in different ways. Join us and you will find yourself in an environment where innovation, inspiration and creativity are second nature. You will be surrounded by industry leaders and curious, ambitious colleagues – working together to develop the business in line with ever changing end user needs.

Apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to apply@buildxstudio.com. 

In addition to outlining your relevant expertise and experience, please also tell us why you want to work at BuildX Studio.