Managing Director

Recruitment Matters Africa (Pvt) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in agricultural development is seeking a Managing Director to oversee operations in Southern Africa. The role requires strong strategic leadership, financial management expertise, and experience in developing high-performing teams. The ideal candidate should have a proven track record in the private or non-profit sector, with significant knowledge of the agribusiness environment. This position offers the opportunity to drive impact and promote a culture of integrity and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in leadership roles.
• Proven experience in private sector or non-profit.
• Strong understanding of the agribusiness sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Southern Africa region.
• Lead financial sustainability and generate income.
• Cultivate partnerships and maintain stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Sector-specific knowledge

Education

MBA or Master's degree

Agricultural background

Job description

Our client is seeking a Managing Director to represent the organisation at a regional level and promote its values and mission.

The Managing Director has overall responsibility for managing operations and strategic direction in Southern Africa.

The role is the primary driver of institutional development in the region, overseeing policy implementation, strategically building effective teams, and providing leadership to skilled staff within a learning organisation.

The Managing Director provides oversight for financial and managerial structures and processes, ensures ongoing development of regional programmes and projects, and cultivates relationships with relevant regional and global partners.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record from both the private sector and development sector, with the ability to build high-performing teams and systems, drive innovation, and unlock sustainable revenue streams that safeguard organisational agility, mission delivery, and resilience.

This role requires entrepreneurial instincts—relentless in identifying opportunities, decisive in pursuing them, effective in securing resources, and tireless in driving positive change for small-scale farmers and partners.

The Managing Director is the statutory director of the organisation in Southern Africa and reports to the global Executive Director, with accountability to the relevant Continental Supervisory Board.

The role includes providing strategic advice, implementing approved plans and budgets, and representing the organisation legally for employees in the region.

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Direction

Foster a culture that reflects the organisation's values : solidarity, impact-driven, solutions-oriented, and integrity.

Propose and implement the overall strategic vision for the Southern Africa region, aligning with global priorities and local development realities.

Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans through multi-year planning, budgeting, and performance frameworks.

Ensure high-quality delivery of programmes and positive experiences for partners and beneficiaries.

Serve as the public face of the organisation in the region, attracting funding, talent, and influence.

Regional Operations and Team Leadership

Lead the development and operational excellence of the regional hub and country offices.

Establish and strengthen country offices to implement regional and national strategies effectively.

Provide leadership, support, and supervision to Country Managers and regional teams.

Ensure coordination across all functions (Finance, HR, Marketing, Business Development, Monitoring & Evaluation) to support efficiency, agility, and accountability.

Implement a performance-driven culture with clear KPIs and data-informed decision-making.

Financial and Organisational Sustainability

Ensure long‑term financial sustainability through income‑generation strategies combining donor funding, private sector partnerships, and commercially viable initiatives.

Embed financial discipline, sustainability, and entrepreneurial thinking into programmes and operations.

Maintain budgets, reserves, and robust internal controls, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Oversee accurate and timely reporting to stakeholders, donors, and investors.

Uphold global quality assurance standards across financial and operational areas.

Partnerships, Fundraising, Investment, and Business Development

Design and execute proactive business development strategies to diversify income streams and scale impact.

Cultivate and maintain partnerships across donors, private sector, government, and development finance institutions.

Leverage networks to unlock new revenue opportunities and strategic relationships.

Lead fundraising and proposal development aligned with regional needs, sector priorities, and organisational strategy.

Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, donor requirements, and timely delivery of outputs.

People, Process, and Performance Management

Provide leadership, coaching, and support to regional teams and country offices.

Streamline organisational structures, workflows, and processes to support efficient decision-making and collaboration.

Implement comprehensive performance management systems with measurable targets, regular reviews, and timely interventions.

Maintain high staff engagement, well-being, and retention through inclusive leadership and transparent communication.

Align people and operational systems with strategic priorities, income generation goals, and cost-effectiveness measures.

Job Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

MBA or Master’s degree advantageous; agricultural background preferred.

Proven senior leadership experience in private sector or non‑profit, preferably with a focus on agricultural development.

Minimum 15 years’ experience, with at least 7 years in senior leadership roles, managing teams and sustainability projects.

Strong understanding of the policy environment, stakeholders, and agribusiness sector in Southern Africa.

Experience in strategic management, HR, finance, and quality management.

Right to live and work in Southern Africa.

Willingness to travel extensively regionally and internationally.

Behavioural Attributes

Highly driven, ethical, results-focused, with strong ownership of outcomes.

Profit-conscious with focus on income generation, execution, and cost control.

Decisive, confident, collaborative, and integrity-driven.

Builds inclusive, high-performing, motivated teams.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills across public, private, and donor sectors.

Emotionally intelligent, resilient, and agile in fast-paced environments.

Champions a culture of integrity, solidarity, impact, and solutions.

Skills

Strategic and entrepreneurial thinking.

Financial and operational management expertise.

Leadership and people management capabilities.

Stakeholder engagement and representation skills.

Deep sector-specific knowledge relevant to agricultural development and small-scale farmers.