Executive Operations Associate - Surulere

EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

Lagos, Nigeria | Full-Time | Physical

This is more than an assistant role.

The founder runs multiple businesses across media, real estate development, property management, and a new B2B services company currently in pre-launch.

The problem is simple: there is no layer between the founder and execution. Every message, every booking, every follow-up, every relationship — it all falls on one person. Important opportunities have been lost because inquiries went unanswered, partnerships went cold, and nobody was watching the things that matter.

We don't need someone who waits to be told what to do. We need someone who sees an unanswered message from a potential client and handles it — then tells us what they did. Someone who finishes a task and says "while doing this, I noticed something we should fix." Someone who manages 30–50 key business relationships proactively, not reactively.

If you've ever been frustrated at work because nobody lets you THINK — because you know you could do more but your job keeps you answering phones and filing documents — this role was designed for someone like you.

The Role

Title: Operations Associate

Reports to: Founder & CEO

Location: Lagos, Nigeria (physical; hybrid potential after 6 months)

Compensation: ₦200,000 net monthly with performance based bonuses

Probation: 3 months

What You'll Own

This role is built around outcomes, not tasks. You won't just "reply to messages" — you'll own the outcome that no valuable inquiry goes cold. You won't just "book flights" — you'll own the outcome that the founder shows up prepared.

No high-value inquiry goes unanswered. Manage business WhatsApp accounts, Instagram DMs, and email. Respond independently to standard inquiries. Escalate when needed. Nobody who could become a client or partner should ever feel ignored.

Key business relationships stay warm. Maintain a relationship database of 30–50 important contacts. Craft personalized outreach — not "Hello sir, it's been a while" but "I saw the news about your project — how did it turn out?" Real messages. Real interest.

Calendar and travel run without the founder thinking about them. Book flights, manage scheduling, prepare briefing notes for meetings. The founder walks in prepared, every time.

Content and brand pipeline keeps moving. Track content production. Follow up on brand deal inquiries. Make sure nothing stalls because nobody was watching.

Things get better over time. After your first month, identify 3 processes that could work better. Submit a monthly "What I Noticed" report. We don't just want execution — we want thinking.

Who You Are

1–3 years of real work experience

· You studied something rigorous and you're frustrated because your current role uses half your brain

· You write clearly — no filler, no "I am a hardworking and dedicated individual"

· You have opinions. When something is a bad idea, you say so — respectfully but clearly

· You organize your own life well. Your phone isn't drowning in unread notifications

· You see this role as a launchpad, not a destination. You'll learn how multiple businesses actually run from the inside — strategy, content, real estate, operations — working directly with the founder

· You understand that access to a founder's world is the education no MBA provides

This Role Is Not For You If

· "I just do what I'm told" describes your work style

· You've never independently noticed and fixed a problem at work

· You can't handle confidential business and personal information with absolute discretion

· You need someone to check on you daily to make sure work is done

· You're looking for a predictable 9-to-5 with no variability

What Makes This Different

This is not a faceless corporate job. You'll work directly with a founder who builds real projects, creates content that millions watch, closes deals worth hundreds of millions, and is launching new companies. You'll see how business actually works — not from a textbook but from the inside.

The right person will leave this role in 2–3 years with more practical business knowledge than most people get in a decade. Some of our best outcomes happen when talented people grow beyond the role — that's a success, not a failure.

We pay for your time at every stage of the hiring process because we respect serious candidates.

How to Apply

Send an email to cogentcareers2025@gmail.com with the subject line:

"OA Application — [Your Full Name]"

Your application must include:

· Your CV (maximum 2 pages)

· A 200-word answer: "Your boss is about to walk into a meeting with a potential ₦50M partner. You have 10 minutes and no brief. What do you prepare and why?"

· A 150-word answer: "You notice that 70% of customer inquiries about a product ask the same question. Nobody asked you to do anything about it. What do you do?"

• Applications without answers to both questions will not be reviewed.

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