Entrepreneurship Development Manager: Johannesburg

Are you a natural relationship-builder who turns founder and freelancer stories into revenue, partnerships, and brand impact? We’re looking for an Entrepreneurship Development Manager with the commercial instincts, ecosystem network, and programme leadership to grow ALX Ventures’ presence in South Africa. This role requires strong business development, stakeholder management, and programme leadership skills, and the ability to operate independently across revenue, partnerships, community, and academy delivery. If you’re a self-starter who can build a brand, drive revenue, and own outcomes end-to-end, we’d love to hear from you!! About ALX Africa ALX Africa, a non-profit organisation under the ALX Foundation, is dedicated to unlocking the potential of Africa's digital future. We've embarked on an independent journey to provide world-class tech, creative and entrepreneurship skills training and career acceleration programmes. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide, upskill and re-skill talent, and create a generation of innovative leaders. By 2030, we aim to empower 2 million Africans to secure sustainable careers. With hubs in 8 cities across Africa and counting, we provide safe access to quality learning and a dedicated network of expert instructors. Our innovative programmes equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving tech, creative and entrepreneurship industry. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, industry partnerships, and hands-on projects, we prepare our learners for in-demand roles. We achieve this by: • Providing young professionals with access to the most in-demand tech, creative and entrepreneurship skills that will power the future. • Empowering the next generation of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators through challenging, real-world coursework. • Building a lifelong, impactful community of professionals and entrepreneurs that support them at all stages of their career journey. Our impact thus far: • 205k+ learners since 2021 • 117k youth in work 13k youth starting own ventures • 66k youth in jobs through entrepreneurship Visit our website www.alxafrica.com to learn more about our digital revolution. Role Summary ALX South Africa is looking for an Entrepreneurship Development Manager who will own the strategic growth, revenue generation, and ecosystem positioning of ALX Ventures in South Africa, including end-to-end leadership of the Founder Academy and Freelancer Academy. Based at the Johannesburg hub, the manager will act as ALX Ventures’ primary relationship-builder in South Africa — driving revenue and strategic partnerships, building the B2B ecosystem through corporate and investor events, growing the B2C community through founder and freelancer experiences, deepening alumni engagement by uncovering and sharing their stories, and owning the Founder and Freelancer Academies end-to-end across the full programme lifecycle, from recruitment and activation through to engagement, graduation, and alumni integration. Success in this role will be measured by: • Revenue generated through partnerships, and programme sales • Growth and quality of the B2B ecosystem network, including corporate, investor, and partner relationships • Community growth and engagement across B2C founder and freelancer events • Founder and Freelancer Academy conversion, activation, retention, and graduation rates • Depth, reach, and impact of alumni engagement and story-led brand building By combining revenue generation, strategic partnerships, ecosystem and community building, and end-to-end academy ownership, the manager will grow ALX Ventures’ brand, footprint, and impact across the South African entrepreneurship landscape. As a Functional Specialist and non-people manager, the role holder will translate this mandate into a robust operational plan and execute it with a high degree of independence — proactively managing upwards, flagging issues early, and proposing solutions — while ALX Ventures leadership sets the broader strategy. Specific Responsibilities Revenue Generation & Business Development • Own revenue generation for ALX Ventures South Africa, including programme fees, and partner-funded contracts • Identify and convert new revenue opportunities through corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and grant-funded programmes • Track revenue performance against targets, and report progress, risks, and opportunities to leadership • Build and manage a pipeline of paying clients, partners, and programme participants to sustain and grow revenue Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Building (B2B Events) • Build and manage a network of corporate, investor, and ecosystem partners to support ALX Ventures’ strategic goals in South Africa • Design and deliver B2B ecosystem events — investor showcases, corporate partner sessions, and ecosystem convenings — that position ALX Ventures as a key player in the South African entrepreneurship landscape • Negotiate and manage partnership agreements that create tangible value for learners, alumni, and the business Community Building (B2C Events) • Design and execute a community-building strategy and calendar of B2C events — masterclasses, meetups, and demo days — for founders and freelancers • Build a vibrant, engaged community of current learners and alumni across Johannesburg and virtually for those outside the city • Collaborate with marketing and cross-functional teams to grow community reach, engagement, and brand affinity Founder & Freelancer Academy Management (End-to-End) • Own the Founder and Freelancer Academies end-to-end, from recruitment and conversion through activation, engagement, and graduation • Manage recruitment, activation, retention, and graduation targets, adapting strategy to the different needs of FA and FLA learners • Continuously improve programme delivery to ensure a high-quality learner experience and strong outcomes • Manage relationships with facilitators, mentors, and coaches who support the academies • Monitor learner data throughout the programme lifecycle to proactively identify and address risks to conversion, activation, or graduation ALX Ventures Brand Building in South Africa • Grow the ALX Ventures brand and reputation across the South African entrepreneurship ecosystem • Represent ALX Ventures at speaking engagements, media opportunities, and public platforms to build brand visibility and credibility • Partner with the marketing team to develop content, campaigns, and messaging that reflect ALX Ventures’ impact, voice, and positioning Data Monitoring & Reporting • Monitor and analyse programme and revenue metrics — recruitment, activation, retention, graduation, and revenue — to identify areas for improvement • Evaluate the success of programmes, partnerships, and events, and recommend strategies to improve impact and return on investment • Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of programme performance, partnerships, and community engagement for reporting and decision-making • Prepare regular performance updates and reports for leadership and key stakeholders • Use data and dashboards to track progress against targets, and escalate risks or blockers proactively Alumni Engagement & Stakeholder Storytelling • Act as the primary point of contact for programme alumni, building trusted, ongoing relationships as key ecosystem stakeholders • Proactively uncover, document, and share alumni success stories to fuel marketing, brand, and fundraising efforts • Design and implement alumni engagement strategies, including events, mentorship opportunities, and peer networks • Encourage alumni participation in community events, masterclasses, and mentorship for current learners • Support alumni in accessing opportunities such as partnerships, clients, funding, and collaborations, and track engagement to grow long-term ecosystem value Skill Requirements - Essential • 6+ years of experience within the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including startup support, incubation, acceleration, or venture-building environments • Experience building and managing strategic partnerships with corporates, investors, or ecosystem stakeholders, including designing and delivering B2B events • Experience managing end-to-end programmes or cohorts, from recruitment through to graduation, ideally within an accelerator, incubator, or education environment • Experience building and growing communities, including designing and delivering in-person and virtual events • Strong stakeholder management experience, including engaging alumni, partners, and senior stakeholders to build relationships and surface opportunities Skill Requirements - Preferable • Proven experience generating revenue through programme sales, or partnership-driven business development • Experience coaching or supporting founders and freelancers, ideally within the African entrepreneurship ecosystem • Familiarity with the South African funding landscape, including corporate ESD/B-BBEE, DFI, and grant-funded programme models • Experience using CRM systems, learner management systems (LMS), or data dashboards to track programme and revenue performance • Prior experience building or scaling a brand within a fast-paced, mission-driven organisation Person Specification/Attributes • Courage: Willingness to speak up, challenge the status quo, and embrace new challenges. • Humility: Openness to learning, seeking help when needed, and a focus on serving others. • Adventure: A passion for setting ambitious goals, tackling difficult tasks, and finding joy in the journey. • Initiative: Proactive problem-solving, a sense of ownership, and a willingness to go above and beyond. • Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through challenges, and emerge stronger. • Commercially Minded: Sees revenue and partnership opportunities everywhere, and translates relationships into tangible business outcomes. • Relationship Builder: Builds trust quickly with founders, partners, investors, and alumni, and sustains those relationships over time. • Strategic Thinker: Able to translate a broad mandate into a clear operational plan, and to prioritise across revenue, partnerships, and programme delivery. • Strong Communicator: Comfortable representing ALX Ventures across corporate, investor, media, and community settings with a confident, professional presence. • Organised & Data-Informed: Able to track revenue, programme, and engagement metrics, and adapt strategy to improve outcomes. • Brand Ambassador: Represents ALX Ventures’ mission and values authentically across every stakeholder interaction. Employment Type This role is a full-time position. Work Model This a hybrid role: work 3 days a week in the hub, with regular time in market for partner meetings, ecosystem events, and community engagements. Preferred Time Zones The preferred time zones are SAST. Due to the considerable amount of virtual working and interaction with colleagues and customers in different physical locations internationally, it is essential that the successful applicant has the drive and ethics to succeed working in small teams physically but in larger efforts virtually. Self-drive to communicate constantly using web collaboration and video conferencing is essential. As an employee, you will be encouraged to continually develop your capability & attain certifications to reflect your growth as an individual.