Project Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Professional development & travel

Retirement contributions

Equity opportunities

Car allowance or executive travel

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Project Manager to spearhead strategic partnerships from its Sandton, Gauteng headquarters. You will identify, negotiate, and manage high-impact alliances, coordinating across product, sales, marketing and legal to deliver value.

Ideal candidates possess 7+ years in PM/BD/alliances, an MBA preferred, and strong stakeholder management skills to drive growth and market expansion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance or related field.
• MBA or relevant advanced degree is highly preferred.
• 7+ years in project management, business development, strategic alliances, or related roles.
• Proven track record of initiating, negotiating and managing complex partnerships.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics and partnership models in tech.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills with executives.
• Proficiency in PM tools and CRM systems.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate potential strategic partners aligned with growth objectives.
• Develop and execute project plans for forming and managing partnerships.
• Lead negotiation processes for partnership agreements.
• Manage day-to-day execution of partnership projects (scope, timelines, deliverables, resources).
• Foster relationships with key stakeholders at partner organizations.
• Monitor performance of partnerships and track key metrics.
• Identify risks and develop contingency plans for alliances.
• Coordinate with product, sales, marketing, and legal teams to support initiatives.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership on status and outcomes.
• Drive initiatives to enable new markets or co-developed products.

Skills

Strategic partnerships

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Finance

MBA (preferred)

Tools

CRM systems

Project management tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing technology conglomerate, is seeking an innovative and driven Project Manager to spearhead strategic partnership initiatives from their Sandton, Gauteng headquarters. This pivotal role involves identifying, nurturing, and managing high-impact partnerships that drive business growth, market expansion, and product innovation. The ideal candidate will possess a strategic mindset, excellent negotiation skills, and a proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects involving external entities. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of partnership projects, from initial outreach and due diligence to contract negotiation and ongoing relationship management. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of our client's ecosystem by forging and managing critical alliances within the Sandton business hub and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate potential strategic partners that align with the company's growth objectives and market strategy.
• Develop and execute comprehensive project plans for the formation and management of strategic partnerships.
• Lead negotiation processes for partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial terms and conditions.
• Manage the day-to-day execution of partnership projects, including defining scope, timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation.
• Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders at partner organizations.
• Monitor the performance of strategic partnerships, tracking key metrics and ensuring successful collaboration and value creation.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with strategic alliances, developing contingency plans as needed.
• Facilitate internal coordination across departments (e.g., product, sales, marketing, legal) to support partnership initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior leadership on the status and outcomes of strategic partnership projects.
• Drive initiatives that leverage partnerships to achieve significant business outcomes, such as new market entry or joint product development in Gauteng.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or a related field. An MBA or relevant advanced degree is highly preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, business development, strategic alliances, or a related role.
• Proven track record of successfully initiating, negotiating, and managing complex strategic partnerships.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, competitive landscapes, and partnership models within the technology sector.
• Exceptional negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with senior executives.
• Excellent strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with a results-oriented approach.
• Proficiency in project management tools and CRM systems.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working within the Sandton corporate ecosystem or similar dynamic business environments is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, executive training, and international travel.
• Significant contributions to a retirement fund.
• A dynamic and entrepreneurial work culture.
• Potential for equity participation or stock options in a high-growth company.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and market trends.
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders and global partners.
• Car allowance or executive travel support.