TRAFFIC Western Cape

Associate to COO

Cognia Law
South African Rand . ZAR 200,000 - 300,000

Job Description

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of running a successful business?

If you're the kind of person who wants to start at the bottom to truly understand how a company works, sharp with numbers, obsessed with getting things done, and hungry to learn, this role will give you exposure and responsibility from day one.

You'll join the COO in every key delivery and client meeting, capture decisions, track actions, follow up relentlessly, and help keep the engine room of the business moving. You won't just hear about how decisions are announced you'll see how they're actually made.

Role Responsibilities

What you'll do:

Operating rhythm and execution

  • Attend priority meetings with the COO, capturing decisions, action items, owners, deadlines, and risks.
  • Maintain and own the COO's action tracker, following up consistently, escalating blockers where needed, and confirming completion.
  • Prepare and quality-check meeting agendas, materials, and pre-reads to ensure meetings are focused and effective.
  • Help coordinate recurring rhythms such as weekly priorities, monthly reviews, and quarterly planning cycles.

Decision support and analysis

  • Draft clear, concise summaries, briefs, and options for the COO on defined topics.
  • Assist with building and updating simple slides, trackers, and dashboards to reflect progress, key metrics, and risks.
  • Work with data in Excel, checking accuracy, validating sources, and ensuring numbers tell a coherent story.

Stakeholder coordination

  • Work closely with functional leads to gather inputs, align timelines, and confirm ownership of deliverables.
  • Draft professional follow-up communications and updates on behalf of the COO.
  • Support cross-functional initiatives from early discussion through to execution and follow-through.

COO office administration

  • Support the management of the COO's schedule, balancing priorities and ensuring time is protected for critical work.
  • Help maintain meeting discipline by ensuring the right people are in the room, objectives are clear, and materials are prepared in advance.

Tools and technology

  • Use Microsoft 365 tools including Outlook, Teams, OneNote, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
  • Maintain trackers using tools such as Planner, Lists, or similar.
  • Embrace new systems and technology, with a willingness to learn and adapt quickly.

What you'll bring:

  • Completed tertiary qualification is essential, preferably in Business, Commerce, Economics, Law, or a related field
  • 0-2 years of experience (internships or early roles in consulting, operations, PMO, legal operations, or startup environments advantageous).
  • Strong numerical ability and comfort working with financial information
  • Exceptionally organised, with a natural tendency to follow up and close loops
  • Clear, structured communicator, both written and verbal
  • Curious mindset with a genuine interest in how businesses operate
  • Comfortable working on-site in a fast-paced, professional environment
  • High level of integrity, discretion, and respect for confidentiality
  • Positive attitude towards technology and change, with a willingness to learn new tools and systems
  • Willingness to start hands-on and earn trust through reliability and execution.

Behaviours and mindset

  • Ownership and follow-through.
  • Curiosity and eagerness to learn how things work.
  • Proactive problem-solving and drive for improvement.
  • Calm and confident communication in a professional environment.
  • Positive attitude and strong service-minded approach.

If this excites you rather than intimidates you, you're exactly who we want to speak to.

Click apply and meet with us today.

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