Operations Manager

(12-month initial contract | South Africa)

This role would suit someone currently working as an Operations Manager, Delivery Manager or Senior Project Manager in an agency, consultancy or NGO environment.

Lushomo is a small, international information design and research communication studio. We help organisations working in health, environment, education, and economic development communicate complex ideas clearly and responsibly. Our clients include United Nations agencies and other international organisations.

We are working in a fast-changing environment, and are looking for a Delivery & Resourcing Manager to help ensure our work is delivered smoothly, calmly, and sustainably as we scale.

This is a senior, hands-on role focused on how work actually gets done: matching the right people to the right projects, setting work up well from the start, and stepping in early when things begin to drift.

What you’ll do

• Ensure every project has clear ownership, sensible resourcing, and a workable delivery plan
• Match work to the right mix of internal team members and external freelancers, using judgement rather than rigid rules
• Build and maintain a reliable pool of freelancers and collaborators
• Spot delivery risks early and help teams get back on track before problems escalate
• Reduce rework and friction by improving how projects are set up, scoped, and run
• Capture delivery lessons and help the team continuously improve
• Work closely with senior managers to problem-solve, prioritise, and keep work flowing

What success looks like

• Projects feel under control, even when things are busy
• People are working on tasks that fit their skills and availability
• Fewer last-minute scrambles, fewer surprises
• The team feels supported rather than micromanaged
• We can confidently take on new work without burning people out

What we’re looking for

• Experience managing multiple projects in a consultancy, agency, NGO, or similar environment
• Comfortable working with freelancers and distributed teams
• Strong organisational skills and sound judgement under pressure
• A calm, practical approach to delivery and problem-solving
• Someone who enjoys helping systems and people work well together

What this role is not

• Not a pure project management role
• Not a sales or business development role
• Not a purely strategic or people-only role

This role suits someone who enjoys bringing clarity to complex work, connecting the right people to the right tasks, and helping teams deliver high-quality work efficiently and sustainably.

 
If you are interested in joining the team, please submit your CV along with a cover letter at the Apply button above. Applications will be reviewed from 2 February onwards, on a rolling basis until the position is filled.         

To learn more about us please visit www.lushomo.net.

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