Social Program Manager

Placements24; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Community impact

Supportive environment

Flexible training opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Social Program Manager for a non-profit in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. You will lead strategy, implementation, and impact assessment across multiple social programs serving disadvantaged individuals and families.

You will manage a team of program officers and coordinators, build community partnerships, oversee budgets, and report on outcomes to guide policy and funding decisions. Strong leadership and a deep commitment to social justice are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related field.
• 7+ years managing social programs; 3+ years in leadership.
• Experience in budget management, grant writing, and fundraising.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in non-profit settings with community impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, development, and execution of all social programs.
• Mentor program staff, provide guidance and performance feedback.
• Develop and manage program budgets, ensuring financial accountability.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community stakeholders and partners.
• Oversee program monitoring and evaluation, collect data for impact.
• Represent the organization in community forums and policy discussions.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Grant writing

Fundraising

Stakeholder management

Monitoring & evaluation

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Social Work / Public Administration / Development Studies

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a non-profit organization committed to social upliftment in Queenstown , is seeking an experienced Social Program Manager . This leadership role involves overseeing the strategic direction, implementation, and impact assessment of multiple social programs aimed at empowering disadvantaged individuals and families. You will manage a team of program officers and coordinators, foster community partnerships, and ensure programs meet the evolving needs of the community in the Eastern Cape . This position requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to social justice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development, and execution of all social programs within the organization's portfolio.
• Manage and mentor program staff, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback.
• Develop and manage program budgets, ensuring financial accountability and resource optimization.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, government agencies, and funding partners in Queenstown .
• Oversee program monitoring and evaluation, collecting data to demonstrate impact and inform strategic adjustments.
• Represent the organization in relevant community forums and contribute to policy discussions.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Development Studies, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in managing social programs, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Proven experience in budget management, grant writing, and fundraising.
• Strong understanding of the social landscape and development challenges in the Eastern Cape .
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive program success in a non-profit setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and responsibilities.
• Opportunities for strategic leadership and significant community impact.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment dedicated to social change.
• Access to professional development and training opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.