Partnerships Manager

Are you an innovative and driven individual with a passion for forging impactful business relationships? Do you excel in developing strategic alliances in the B2B and B2G domains? Are you adept at nurturing partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for technology students and graduates? Do you possess a keen eye for identifying and capitalizing on market trends to enhance recruitment and job placement initiatives? 

ABOUT US

Africa has an untapped talent pool that is increasing exponentially, with a projected workforce that will exceed India and China by 2035. Fuelled by this, our mission is to create work opportunities for millions of Africa’s youth and solve the world’s shortage of technology talent. 

Our company SAND has 450+ staff members from 48+ countries with plans to acquire several companies around the world to become a multi-billion dollar global technology services provider that employs over 100K employees across the globe.

We have 2 brands represented in our ecosystem:

• With ALX, we're cultivating the fastest-growing pool of technology talent globally, training aspiring professionals in software engineering, cloud computing, data science, and Salesforce across over 60 countries. ALX fosters a vibrant community for top tech talent, igniting transformative careers by connecting top technology talent with extraordinary opportunities for impact.
• Through Sand Technologies we support enterprises and scale-ups around the world to develop world class technology products, build great technology teams, generate more revenue, and deliver outstanding customer experience. Our clients include one of the largest cloud computing providers in the world as well as Bestseller A/S (Denmark), Create Prime (New Zealand), Stanbic Bank (Kenya), and Tamara (Dubai). 

With varying levels of expertise in software development, data, cloud, machine learning, artificial intelligence, UX design, web development, etc, we provide unparalleled opportunities to technology talent worldwide while reshaping industries, disrupting traditional business models, and creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.

ABOUT THE CITY TEAM

Do you enjoy creating something out of nothing? The City Teams are startups within a larger startup. Each City Team is like a standalone business that is blazing a new path for SAND, but is supported by the history, reputation and global network of SAND’s wider ecosystem of companies and initiatives. In pursuit of our mission, we encourage autonomy, creativity, and experimentation. We embrace risks and failure. We seek those that have a beginners’ mindset, are lifelong learners, thrive in uncertain circumstances and uncharted territory, and have a deep passion for youth engagement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Partnerships Manager, you will be instrumental in leading our strategic B2B and B2G engagement initiatives. Your role is central to developing key relationships and alliances that resonate with our mission to advance technology education and career prospects. You will be pivotal in driving learner visibility and supporting graduate success. With your deep understanding of market trends and a talent for meaningful collaboration, you will significantly contribute to our organizational growth and bolster our standing in the technology education sector.

The Partnerships Manager’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Partnership Development and Management:

• Identify and cultivate relationships with businesses, industry bodies, associations, educational institutions, and government entities that strategically align with our mission, particularly in learner recruitment and graduate job placement.
• Lead negotiations, clearly articulating roles, responsibilities, and mutual benefits. Formulate partnership agreements that underpin long-term, sustainable collaboration.

Operational Excellence in Partnerships:

• Oversee the documentation and lifecycle management of partnerships. Regularly review and update agreements to ensure they meet evolving organizational needs and objectives.
• Coordinate with partners to develop and execute co-branded initiatives, such as workshops and events, leveraging these collaborations for enhanced market reach and brand elevation.

Strategic Impact and Performance Analysis:

• Monitor key performance indicators, focusing on program enrollment, learner satisfaction, and job placement effectiveness.
• Analyze partnership performance, providing stakeholders with insights and strategies for optimization.

Market Insight and Brand Amplification:

• Stay informed about industry trends and developments. Leverage insights to identify new partnership opportunities and enhance our market presence through joint marketing and public relations activities.

Government Engagement and Advocacy:

• Develop and maintain relationships with government agencies, advocating for policies that support tech education, employment, and job creation initiatives.

Continuous Feedback Integration:

• Actively seek and integrate feedback from both partners and internal teams to refine and evolve partnership strategies, ensuring alignment with our organization's dynamic needs.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Professional Experience: A minimum of 5 years in any professional field. Additional experience in project management, events activation and coordination, youth engagement, and community service will be advantageous.
• Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in any field with an excellent academic track record.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and French, both verbal and written. Knowledge of other local languages is a plus.
• Relationship Management: Exceptionally skilled in communication, with a strong focus on customer service and a commitment to always prioritize our customers' needs.
• Partnership and Business Development Expertise: Proven experience in partnership management and business development, with a knack for strategic planning and effective execution.
• Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to ensure the highest level of customer experience and responsiveness.
• Data Analysis Skills: Experience in using data and metrics to guide decision-making and foster continuous improvement.
• Communication and Presentation Abilities: Excellent skills in articulating and conveying ideas effectively in both verbal and written forms.
• Interpersonal Competence: A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Learning and Growth Orientation: A humble attitude with openness to feedback, coupled with an insatiable curiosity and eagerness for personal and professional growth.
• Creativity and Innovativeness: A tendency to bring imaginative and fresh ideas to various situations.
• Sector Knowledge and Willingness to Travel: Familiarity with the tech sector, job market trends, and the educational landscape, and the willingness to travel and represent the organization at events and conferences.

This role is a non-people manager role and is an in-person position based within Accra team. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.