Chief Executive Officer

Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in education is seeking a dynamic leader to manage the Realema Teacher Intern Programme, overseeing operations, fundraising, and partnerships. This role is crucial for fostering sustainable careers in teaching for talented individuals from vulnerable communities. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the South African education landscape and possess exceptional skills in leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Executive-level experience in the non-profit, education, or development sector.
• Deep understanding of the South African education landscape.
• Collaborative, people-centred leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Champion Realema’s mission and long-term strategy.
• Lead a high-performing team across operations, academics, HR, fundraising, and communications.
• Raise funds, cultivate donor relationships and ensure excellent donor stewardship.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Postgraduate Degree in Education or related field

Job description

The Realema Teacher Intern Programme Trust (Realema) governs a teacher-intern programme which offers comprehensive bursaries to selected talented and hard-working students of colour from vulnerable communities, to study for a teaching degree, while gaining valuable work experience as full-time teacher interns at top schools. We help our bursary recipients escape the poverty cycle by building sustainable careers in teaching, while also developing the passionate and professional teachers that South Africa so badly needs.

Applications are invited for the post of

Starting Date: 1 January 2026.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Champion Realema’s mission and long-term strategy.
• Lead a high-performing team across operations, academics, HR, fundraising, and communications.
• Oversee and develop partnerships with universities, schools and other stakeholders.
• Drive intern recruitment, academic support, mentoring, and alumni engagement.
• Raise funds, cultivate donor relationships and ensure excellent donor stewardship.
• Manage financials, and ensure governance compliance.
• Manage annual audits and the writing and production of Realema’s annual report.
• Oversee organisational systems, stakeholder communications, and fundraising strategy.
• Foster an inclusive, dynamic culture that supports staff and intern wellbeing.
• Executive-level experience in the non-profit, education, or development sector.
• Deep understanding of the South African education landscape.
• Proven ability in fund raising, financial management, and stakeholder engagement.
• A collaborative, people-centred leadership style.
• Exceptional communication, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of financial and organisational sustainability imperative.
• A passion for education, transformation, and social justice.
• A growth mindset and willingness to be involved with, and assist in, all operational aspects as needed.

Please submit a CV together with names and contact details of three referees to: [e-mail]

Closing date: 25 July 2025.

The appointment of candidates is at the sole discretion of Realema’s Board of Trustees, taking into account factors such as employment equity. Applications are welcomed from South African citizens only or persons with a valid work permit. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment and failure to meet the minimum requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from Realema within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful in your application.

Closing Date

25/07/2025