About this role
About CraydelAt Craydel, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and create opportunities. Our mission is to democratize access to quality higher education for students and working professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa.
We exist because we know that education should not be a privilege reserved for the few, but a right available to everyone, regardless of their background or location. We have helped over 100, 000 students find the right university and currently provide access to 500+ universities in 40+ study destinations around the globe.
Our commitment is to ensure that every student/working professional has the chance to achieve their educational and professional goals.
Mission StatementTo build strategic university relationships that drive enrollments (Craydel's North Star Metric) and deliver value to Craydel’s learners
About The RoleCraydel is looking for a highly analytical, execution-oriented, and ambitious Strategic Operations Associate to work closely with Craydel’s Co-founder across multiple markets and business functions.
This is a high-exposure role designed for someone who wants to build a long-term career in operations leadership. The role combines strategic thinking, operational execution, cross-functional coordination, data analysis, and problem-solving. Over time, the individual will progressively take ownership of operational functions and grow into broader operational leadership responsibilities.
You will act as a strategic execution partner — helping teams move faster, solve problems, interpret data, identify patterns across markets, and ensure key initiatives are effectively followed through.
You will work closely with leadership teams across multiple functions, supporting initiatives spanning admissions, marketing campaigns, partnerships, school engagement, operational performance, and other cross-functional priorities.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, intellectually curious, proactive, comfortable with ambiguity, deeply operational, comfortable with automating processes, and excited by the opportunity to learn how a fast-growing company operates from the inside out.
What You Will DoWork closely with senior leadership to drive follow-through on strategic and operational priorities across multiple teams and markets.
Attend recurring leadership and operational meetings, capture key action items, and help teams execute against them.
Support cross-functional teams in solving operational challenges and removing blockers.
Analyze campaign, operational, and performance data to identify insights, trends, and recommendations.
Use AI tools and other technology to improve analysis, execution speed, reporting, research, and operational workflows.
Identify recurring operational patterns across teams and proactively recommend process improvements.
Coordinate and support the execution of initiatives across marketing, admissions, partnerships, schools, and other business functions.
Partner with teams across different markets to ensure accountability, momentum, and operational consistency.
Take increasing ownership of operational initiatives over time, with a clear growth path into broader operations management responsibilities.
What You HaveBachelor’s degree in Business Management, Economics, Operations, Finance, Data Analytics, or a related field.
2–5 years of experience in startup operations, strategy, project coordination, management consulting, or similar analytical/execution-focused roles.
Must have prior experience in a startup, high-growth company, consulting environment, or operationally intensive role
Strong familiarity with AI tools and workflows, with the proven ability to leverage AI to improve productivity, analysis, and execution.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into action.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and execute in fast-paced environments.
Excellent organizational and follow-through skills with strong attention to detail.
Comfortable working across multiple teams, stakeholders, and markets simultaneously.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
High level of ownership, initiative, and intellectual curiosity.
Why This Role?This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, gain exposure across multiple business functions and markets, and build a strong foundation in strategic and operational leadership within a fast-growing environment.
For the right person, this role can evolve into broader operational ownership and leadership over time.
Craydel’s ValuesWe are learner-obsessed
We put learners first in everything we do.
We do more with less
We stretch ourselves and our budgets to accomplish more with less.
We think in solutions
We know there are many obstacles in building a world-class start-up. That’s why we commit to identifying potential solutions every time we face a challenge.
We are performance-driven
We hold ourselves accountable to achieve our KPIs.
We are stronger together
We know that while each activity has an owner, we all depend on each other to achieve our key results.
Craydel’s Anti-Values (Who We are Not)We are not a 9-to-5 organisation. We have to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Putting learners first often means meeting them on evenings and weekends.
We are not a remote culture. All departments must work closely together to achieve our goals, so we value in-person collaboration.
We do not make excuses. If something isn’t getting done, we do it ourselves.