Program Manager – AL for Education

African Leadership Academy; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational organization in South Africa is seeking a Program Manager to lead initiatives in the education sector. The role involves overseeing employer partnerships, managing job placements, and delivering career readiness programs. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in education or workforce development, along with strong managerial skills and a passion for developing young leaders. This position is based at the ALA Campus in Johannesburg.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in education or related fields.
• 2-3 years of managerial experience.
• Strong partnership development skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strong network of education employer partners.
• Oversee job and internship placements.
• Deliver career readiness programs like the Apprenticeship Program.

Skills

Partnership development

Program management

Communication

Project management

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

ABOUT US:

African Leadership Academy (ALA) seeks to transform Africa by identifying, developing, and connecting a new generation of young leaders who will drive lasting peace and shared prosperity. Since 2008, ALA has built pathways for exceptional young Africans through its flagship secondary education program and expanded initiatives such as the Anzisha Prize and the Africa Career Network (ACN).

About Africa Career Networks (ACN)

ACN supports high-potential young Africans—including ALA graduates, Mastercard Foundation Scholars, and Anzisha Fellows—in pursuing impactful careers across seven priority sectors: Agribusiness, Arts, Education, Governance, Health, Infrastructure, and Professional Services. Each sector community provides training, mentorship, internships, fellowships, employer engagement, and events that connect young talent to opportunities and foster collective impact.

About AL for Education

African Leaders (AL) for Education is a growing network of school leaders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring professionals working to improve learning outcomes across the continent. Through a fellowship accelerator for school founders, an apprenticeship program, and an annual pan‑African gathering, AL for Education advances exceptional schools, nurtures emerging talent, and builds a strong ecosystem of education innovators.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Program Manager, AL for Education will serve as the Education Sector Lead within ACN, overseeing the education sector community—helping young Africans explore, enter, and thrive in impactful education careers. The Program Manager will build and manage employer partnerships, oversee job and internship placements, and strengthen the AL for Education community within ACN. This role blends strategic partnership‑building, program management, and network engagement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employer Partnerships & Placements:

• Work with the Director to build and maintain a strong network of education employer partners across Africa.
• Oversee employer outreach (leveraging ALA colleagues and champions) and manage the recruitment pipeline.
• Secure internships, jobs, and other opportunities to consistently meet placement targets.
• Promote opportunities to the alumni/scholar network, manage application processes, screen candidates, and facilitate placements.
• Oversee CRM data and reporting, ensuring Salesforce is updated with placements, partnerships, and engagement records.

Program Management:

• Deliver career readiness and sector programs such as the Apprenticeship Program and Sector Challenge, with support from the Program Associate.
• Foster scholar and alumni interest in education by curating workshops, webinars, and speaker series that highlight diverse career paths.
• Collaborate with other sector leads to share best practices and align with ACN’s overall strategy.
• Design and facilitate programs to ensure relevance, quality, and impact.

Network Engagement & Communications:

• Manage the AL for Education community on the ACN app, curating resources, tools, and opportunities for members.
• Lead or support regional in‑person events and virtual convenings for Scholars, alumni, employer partners, and other stakeholders.
• Work with the communications lead to strengthen AL for Education’s brand across ACN and ALA alumni networks through communications, storytelling, and thought leadership.
• Support advisory boards, sector councils, and other external stakeholder groups as needed.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Required Education and Experience:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in education, workforce development, career services, or related fields
• 2-3 years of managerial experience
• Entrepreneurial relationship‑builder with persistence, grit, and strong partnership development skills
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferred; strong candidates with substantial, demonstrated experience in relevant fields are equally encouraged to apply

COMPETENCIES:

Technical competencies:

• Strong knowledge of Africa’s education landscape, employer needs, and career pathways for young talent.
• Skilled communicator with experience in partnership management, facilitation, and coaching.
• Existing network in the African education sector preferred.
• Passionate about developing young leaders and committed to shaping the future of Africa’s education sector.

Generic Competencies:

• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good computer skills and an ability to learn new computer programs easily.
• Excellent one‑on‑one problem‑solving and collaborating skills.
• Project Management skills.
• Ability to prioritise and work independently.
• Logical and rational decision‑making approach.
• Attention to detail.
• Proactive approach and demonstrates initiative.
• Able to work independently.

Attributes:

• High levels of integrity and confidentiality, and emotional maturity.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with stakeholders and staff at all levels, together with the ability to resolve conflict.
• Resilient and possesses the ability to defuse confrontation situations.
• Capacity to remain calm and work under pressure of deadlines.
• Patience, diplomacy, empathy, and flexibility when dealing with a range of situations and people.
• Self‑confidence and a willingness to accept responsibility and, where required, take initiative.
• Ability and willingness to build a positive relationship with all stakeholders.
• Committed and enthusiastic.

Report to: Program Director, AL for Education

Job location: ALA Campus, Honeydew, Johannesburg

Start date: 01 February 2026