Bukonla Adebakin

Intense Group operates across intuitive creativity, data-driven digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and performance, with a clear focus on sustainable growth and profitability. As COO, I lead the operational framework that enables consistent delivery, commercial performance, and client outcomes. Operational Strategy & Enterprise Execution: Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-wide operating models, translating strategic priorities into scalable processes across teams, markets, and service lines. Governance, Performance & Commercial Enablement: Establish operational governance, performance management frameworks, and accountability structures that improve delivery quality, operational efficiency, and revenue sustainability. Digital Transformation & AI Delivery Oversight: Oversee the operational execution of data-led digital transformation and AI-enabled initiatives, ensuring alignment between creative strategy, technical delivery, and measurable business outcomes. People, Systems & Organisational Alignment: Direct cross-functional operations across strategy, creative, technology, and performance teams, aligning talent, partners, and resources with leadership objectives and client requirements. Client Delivery & Continuous Improvement: Embed a performance-led operating culture, using data, insight, and client feedback to refine systems, strengthen execution, and maintain high standards of service delivery.

Member, Board of Directors I contribute to board-level strategy, governance, and oversight, supporting leadership in decision-making, risk management, and long-term value creation.

Served on the Management Team, reporting to the CEO and Board, with responsibility for overseeing cross-functional teams and supporting the delivery of the organisation’s annual strategy. Led strategic and operational oversight across the Group, managing teams of up to 65 staff and establishing KPIs to track execution, performance, and key business objectives. Provided senior advisory support to organisations on operations, profitability, organisational structure, and strategic direction, delivering practical, data-led insights and recommendations. Designed and implemented operational systems and performance frameworks, using business data and analysis to improve efficiency, decision-making, and overall organisational performance.

Led The Future Awards Africa, overseeing end-to-end strategy and delivery including sponsorship mobilisation, nominee sourcing and review, strategic partnerships, award production, and post-event impact management. Provided strategic leadership for the design and implementation of sustainability and youth development programmes across Africa, representing the organisation in national, regional, and international forums to advance organisational objectives. Built and managed high-level relationships with policymakers, donors, businesses, and implementing partners, securing funding and partnerships to support socially impactful initiatives and employment-focused programmes. Directed a portfolio of multi-country development initiatives, leading project conceptualisation, execution, fundraising, compliance reviews, and cross-functional project teams to ensure programme objectives and delivery standards were met.

Developed investment-ready concept notes and grant proposals, coordinating fundraising strategies to secure funding for multi-project portfolios across regions. Led strategic initiatives end to end, directing all phases from planning through execution, including creative oversight, scheduling, budget management, media and press coordination, resource allocation, monitoring, reporting, and documentation. Designed and implemented performance management processes and KPIs to oversee Country and State Representatives and volunteer teams, improving operational efficiency across 29 Nigerian states and 13 African countries. Led the impact and partnerships function, managing relationships with partners and vendors while developing and implementing impact measurement frameworks to track outcomes and delivery effectiveness. Oversaw project execution across all stages, establishing progress-tracking mechanisms and evaluation tools to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and delivery standards.

Conducted targeted research to identify high-quality candidates aligned with programme criteria. Created engaging content and materials to support programme goals and enhance participant experience.

Managed nationwide distribution and sales of Technology Advantage Magazine, ensuring consistent market reach. Liaised with vendors and drove product sales, achieving a minimum of 30% monthly profit margin. Promoted the company’s technology products and services (B2B), enhancing brand awareness and strengthening corporate reputation.

Driving innovation Management

I worked on mini projects within a team using the PESTEL analysis framework. Several presentations were done, which boosted my confidence in presentations.

I was involved in several presentations that enhanced my teamwork and communication skills, researched on 10,000 words dissertation on sheltered instruction using technology and had an A grade. I was the vice president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Unilag and managed three projects successfully in my tenure. In my final year, I was the president of Junior Achievement, Unilag, a financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship organisation for students.