Chief Operating Officer

Client Summary

Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP) is a strategically positioned multi-sector industrial and innovation hub in Owaza Abia State driving sustainable economic transformation through world-class infrastructure cross-sector collaboration and a strong commitment to Nigerias green energy transition.

Job Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Innovation Park ensuring efficient day-to-day operations optimal utilization of infrastructure and seamless delivery of programs that support innovation entrepreneurship research commercialization and industry collaboration. The role is critical to scaling the parks impact sustainability and global competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• • Translate the Innovation Parks vision and strategy into executable operational plans and performance targets.
  • Oversee daily operations across facilities management tenant services programs partnerships and shared services.
  • Ensure operational excellence efficiency and compliance with governance regulatory and safety standards.

Infrastructure & Facilities Management

• • Manage the operation and maintenance of physical and digital infrastructure (labs workspaces incubation hubs utilities smart systems).
  • Oversee expansion upgrades and capital projects in collaboration with technical and project teams.
  • Ensure optimal space utilization service quality and cost efficiency.

Ecosystem & Program Management

• • Oversee incubation acceleration research and commercialization programs.
  • Support startups scale-ups researchers and corporate tenants through structured operational frameworks.
  • Ensure effective delivery of innovation programs aligned with economic and sectoral priorities.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• • Work closely with government agencies academia investors development partners and private sector stakeholders.
  • Support the CEO in structuring and managing public-private partnerships (PPPs).
  • Drive collaboration between tenants research institutions and industry players.

Financial & Commercial Oversight

• • Support budgeting financial planning cost control and revenue optimization initiatives.
  • Oversee operational revenue streams (leases programs services events sponsorships).
  • Ensure commercial sustainability and efficient resource allocation.

Governance Risk & Compliance

• • Ensure adherence to corporate governance frameworks policies and regulatory requirements.
  • Identify and manage operational financial and reputational risks.
  • Establish performance monitoring systems KPIs and reporting dashboards.

People & Culture

• • Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across operations facilities programs and administration.
  • Foster a high-performance innovation-driven and service-oriented culture.
  • Implement talent development succession planning and performance management frameworks.

Qualifications & Experience

• • Bachelors degree in Engineering Business Administration Management Economics or related field; Masters degree or MBA preferred.
  • Minimum 1215 years of experience in operations infrastructure management innovation ecosystems technology parks industrial parks or complex organizations.
  • Proven experience managing large-scale operations facilities and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong understanding of innovation ecosystems startups R&D commercialization and PPP models.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• • Operational efficiency and cost optimization
  • Occupancy and utilization rates
  • Program delivery effectiveness and impact metrics
  • Tenant/startup satisfaction and retention
  • Revenue growth and sustainability
  • Compliance safety and risk management outcomes