Assistant Director - Business Development & Partnerships

About Ashesi University:

Our vision is a flourishing Africa whose leaders make ethical decisions in the best interests of their communities, and where innovation drives economic, cultural and social growth. We educate leaders who will make this vision a reality, and we collaborate with other institutions to multiply this work.

Joining Ashesi means becoming part of a vibrant community dedicated to excellence, innovation, and a transformed Africa. We provide opportunities for everyone to do their most meaningful work, through cross-functional collaboration in an environment that encourages intellectual and personal growth.

If you're seeking an environment that values diverse contributions, supports professional development, and enables you to work with purpose, come join our team.

About the Center for Leadership

Ashesi’s Center for Leadership is poised to provide high-quality executive education to seniormost leaders across sectors (private, public, civil society and academia) from Africa and beyond.  The Center’s programs will equip and inspire leaders to ask tough questions of themselves, have courageous and meaningful conversations, outline and commit to action steps that will shift mindsets, build systems, shape policy and fuel positive transformation.

The Center will collaborate with Ashesi’s upcoming MBA program, other Centers and Initiatives at Ashesi, such as the Education Collaborative and the Center for Entrepreneurship and external partners in order to deliver high-impact leadership development programs, convenings and publications that shape the outcomes of leadership. 

About the Role

The Assistant Director for Business Development and Partnerships is primarily responsible for identifying profitable opportunities for the Center, in the furtherance of its thought leadership and executive education mandate. The incumbent will also manage the Center’s efforts to build mutually rewarding partnerships that further the achievement of its goals.

Reporting Lines: This position reports directly to the Executive Director of the Center for Leadership and will supervise junior program staff.

Key Functional Areas Of Responsibility

Business Development (45%)

1. Conduct market research and gather market intelligence that will support the design and implementation of programs for the Center.
2. Identify opportunities to generate revenue from new sources, in alignment with the Center’s strategy and key goals.
3. Identify potential funding opportunities and document the requirements, draft applications, submissions etc, to secure and maintain funding partnerships.
4. Work with the Programs team to develop and implement strategies to increase enrollment and program visibility.
5. Work with the ED to design and update a business model that makes sense for the Center in real time.
6. Assess brand awareness and equity over time, identifying and proposing new growth opportunities.

Partnerships (40%)

• Serve as a key contact person for institutional clients, funding partners, responding to incoming inquiries and addressing or redirecting them as needed.
• Identify targeted clients and help to build a pipeline of potential program partners – funders, facilitators, participants, vendors, etc.
• Craft MOUs for partners, with input and approval from ED and Counsel.
• Create attractive overview documents that can be used in publicizing the Center and building relationships (PowerPoint presentations, 1-page overviews etc.).
• Identify events and activities that could serve as a platform for the organization to gain visibility and build relationships.

General Administration (15%)

• In alignment with the Center’s strategy and implementation plans, create a budget for approval and track trends in revenue and expenditure.
• Support the Center with the creation and documentation of relevant policies.
• Support the Center with vendor engagement and negotiation where necessary.
• Oversee the design and acquisition of branded products for use by the Center.
• Manage a team of direct reports and support the programs team as the Center grows.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, marketing.
• Exposure to Ashesi university’s ethos and ways of working is an advantage.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholders effectively for desired outcomes.
• Supervisory experience with some independent decision-making is useful.

What We Offer:
Our success is driven by our people, which is why we offer a comprehensive compensation package. Compensation at Ashesi is regularly reviewed against industry benchmarks, and total compensation includes health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid leave, which are designed to support the holistic well-being of our staff. We also invest in continuous learning, development and research opportunities, allowing our teams to grow with the university and achieve meaningful impact.

Commitment to Diversity:

Ashesi is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive faculty. We encourage applications from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and academic diversity of our university.

Join us in shaping the future of Africa’s leadership.