Business Operations Manager

Join Pharo Health — Building the Future of Specialized Healthcare in Africa

Pharo Health Ethiopia, a portfolio company of Pharo Ventures, is redefining the future of premium healthcare delivery in the Horn of Africa. We are establishing a state-of-the-art specialty and diagnostic center in Addis Ababa designed to deliver world-class, patient-centered care through advanced medical technology, exceptional clinical talent, and seamless multidisciplinary collaboration.

As an early member of our specialist team, you will have the rare opportunity to help shape a modern healthcare institution from the ground up — one built on clinical excellence, innovation, compassion, and impact.

🌍 Our vision extends beyond a single facility. We aim to build a leading healthcare network that expands access to high-quality specialist care across Ethiopia and the wider region.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional, strategic, and people-centered Business Operations Manager to join our senior leadership team.

This role offers the opportunity to shape and lead the non-clinical operations of a modern, technology-enabled healthcare organization. The successful candidate will oversee key operational functions—including Medical Supply Chain, People & Culture, Stores, and IT—to ensure seamless service delivery, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth across our healthcare facilities.

We are looking for a dynamic leader who combines strong operational expertise with strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, sound decision-making, and a genuine commitment to enabling exceptional patient care through outstanding operational performance.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to drive meaningful impact while helping build one of the region's most ambitious healthcare organizations, we would love to hear from you.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Operations Leadership & Planning

• Develop and execute the annual operational plan for all non-clinical functions — People & Culture/HR, supply chain, IT, and stores and oversee the team of these functions.

• Build, maintain, and continuously improve the operational policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), systems, and governance frameworks that underpin a compliant, efficient, and high-performing healthcare organization.

• Identify operational bottlenecks, systemic inefficiencies, and cross-functional gaps; develop and implement evidence-based solutions that improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance service delivery.

• Lead cross-functional operational improvement projects.

• Prepare and present periodic operational performance dashboards 

• Ensure all operational activities comply with Ethiopian labour law, procurement regulations, data protection requirements, health and safety legislation, and Pharo Health’s internal governance standards.

• Ensure Pharo Health maintains all required operational licenses, permits, and regulatory registrations — including business operating license, medical facility licenses, fire safety certificate, and data protection compliance.

• Liaise with clinical leadership to align operations with patient-care needs.

• Manage relationships with facility landlords, utility providers, maintenance contractors, waste management companies, and security service providers; ensure SLA compliance and cost efficiency.

• Set teams individual performance objectives aligned to departmental and organizational goals & track teams KPIs

• As a senior leadership team member, contribute to organizational strategy 

Supply Chain Management Oversight

• Oversee procurement and supply chain for pharmaceuticals, consumables, medical equipment & other non-medical items.

• Manage vendor empanelment, contracts, rate negotiations, and supplier performance for medical and non-medical suppliers.

• Ensure uninterrupted stock availability of critical drugs and consumables while controlling inventory holding costs and expiry wastage.

• Coordinate with all departments to forecast demand and manage accordingly.

• Ensure compliance with drug procurement regulations, cold-chain protocols, and quality/batch traceability requirements.

People & Culture/Human Resources Oversight

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning for clinical (nursing, paramedical) and non-clinical staff.

• Ensure compliance with healthcare labor regulations, staff credentialing, licensing renewals, and statutory requirements.

• Manage duty rostering/shift scheduling in coordination with responsible clinical staff and department heads to ensure adequate patient-care staffing.

• Oversee performance appraisals, training and staff development programs.

• Manage employee relations, grievance handling, disciplinary matters, and support a positive workplace culture across departments.

• Partner with leadership on compensation structures, benefits, and organizational manpower planning.

• Lead staff engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and internal communications that reinforce Pharo Health’s values.

Information Technology Oversight

• Ensure robust data governance across all operational systems; protect patient data privacy, staff personal data, and commercially sensitive information in compliance with applicable law and Pharo Ventures’ data governance policy.

• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and continuous optimization of Pharo Health’s core clinical and administrative information

• Ensure data security, patient data privacy/confidentiality, backup protocols, and disaster recovery/business continuity plans

• Ensure Pharo Health’s IT infrastructure — servers, networking, workstations, medical device connectivity, and cloud systems — is reliable, scalable, and appropriately secured.

• Ensure all staff receive timely, effective IT support; oversee the IT helpdesk function, SLA performance, and escalation management.

• Manage software licenses, hardware asset register, and IT procurement in alignment with Pharo Health’s operational and budget requirements.

• Lead Pharo Health’s digital transformation agenda — identifying and evaluating new technologies that can improve clinical workflow efficiency, patient experience, data analytics capability, and operational performance.

Store Management Oversight

• Oversee central stores, pharmacy stores, ward-level sub-stores and non-clinical items to ensure smooth material flow.

• Implement inventory control systems (min-max levels, FEFO/FIFO for medicines) to prevent stock-outs and overstocking.

• Standardize receiving, storage, issuance, and stock reconciliation processes in line with regulatory and audit requirements.

• Conduct periodic physical audits/stock verification and address discrepancies, pilferage, or damage.

• Ensure zero-tolerance standards: Ensure zero expired items are issued to clinical areas; zero stock-outs of critical supplies; and zero undocumented stock movements under any circumstances.

• Ensure proper storage conditions (temperature control, narcotics/controlled substances handling) as per regulatory norms.

Budget Management & Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage the operational budget covering People & Culture/HR, supply chain, IT and stores, 

• Monitor operational expenditure against budget monthly; analyze variances, identify overspend risks, and implement corrective actions to stay within approved limits.

• Identify and implement cost optimization opportunities across procurement, vendor contracts, utilities, and operational processes without compromising service quality or patient safety.

• Ensure all operational purchasing, vendor payments, and expense claims comply with Pharo’s financial controls, procurement policy, and audit requirements.

N.B: Additional duties may be assigned based on service needs, operational priorities, and organizational requirements.