Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy

ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.
They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.
Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Given that the team at the School of Wildlife Conservation (SOWC) is small,   each team member has a clearly designated role, but we do expect all team members to multitask and mutually support other members of the team as needed (and within reason) across the functions of the School.  The team is led by an Executive Director and is focused on the following key areas:

• Delivery of educational support and the “conservation ecosystem” (guest speakers, conservation “boot camps”, centres of conservation excellence, internships) to the Undergraduate School of ALU in support of all students who choose a planetary health pathway, currently led by Dr Victor Muposhi as the Head of Academics
• Delivery of the conservation specialisation to the ALU MBA program - electives, capstone projects, guest speakers also currently led by Dr Victor Muposhi with support from Richard Vigne (Executive Director of the SOWC)
• Development and delivery of professional development courses to the African conservation sector including “generic” courses and bespoke courses (for various organisations including South Africa National Parks, the African Natural Capital Alliance and African Parks).  Led by the Head of Professional Development and Consultancy
• Research and thought leadership into the Wildlife Economy of Africa, culminating in regular iterations of the Wildlife Economy Investment Index for Africa and advocacy work, supplemented by the Conservation Debate series and the Lessons Learned series led by Dr Sue Snyman.  This section also secures and delivers consultancies in the African wildlife sector.
• Coordination of all SOWC operations inclusive of management of the internship program, all logistics for students attending conservation boot camps and centres of conservation excellence, financial oversight, partnership and network oversight and management, all social media, PR and marketing efforts inclusive of the SOWC website.  Led by the Operations and Fundraising Manager, Tiavina Ramandavola
• Development, management and delivery of the annual Business of Conservation Conference (BCC) - this is a team effort that runs throughout the year and includes other ALU team members.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Manager, Professional Development Courses and Consultancy will lead the development and execution of SOWC’s professional development and consultancy portfolio. The role will focus on winning, managing, and delivering contracts for professional development training and consultancy projects, as well as developing, marketing, and scaling open and bespoke courses for conservation professionals and organisations across Africa. Working closely with adjunct faculty, partner institutions, and internal and external stakeholders, the Manager will ensure that all offerings meet client needs, uphold ALU’s brand standards, and contribute to the School’s financial sustainability. As with all SOWC roles, this position will require flexibility, collaboration, and a proactive “startup” mindset.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development and Client Engagement

• Identify, pursue, and secure new professional development and consultancy opportunities with conservation organisations, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners across Africa.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring long-term partnerships and repeat engagements.
• Prepare high-quality proposals, expressions of interest, budgets, and contracts for consultancy and training assignments.
• Represent SOWC in external meetings, conferences, and networks to expand visibility and business opportunities.

Professional Development Courses

• Design, market, and manage a portfolio of short courses and leadership programs for conservation professionals, including open-enrolment and bespoke offerings.
• Coordinate course logistics, marketing, participant recruitment, and delivery, ensuring a seamless learning experience.
• Work with adjunct faculty, subject-matter experts and the ALU Learning Experience Design and Implementation (LEDI) teams to develop course content and facilitate delivery.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies and partnerships to expand enrollment and reach new audiences across Africa.
• Monitor and report on course impact and feedback, ensuring continuous improvement and relevance to the sector’s evolving needs.

Consultancy Services

• Manage end-to-end delivery of consultancy assignments, including project planning, coordination of experts, reporting, and client communication.
• Ensure timely and high-quality outputs that meet contractual obligations and strengthen SOWC’s reputation for excellence.
• Maintain accurate financial and administrative tracking and reporting for each consultancy project in coordination with the Operations and Finance teams.

Operational and Financial Management

• Working with the Fundraising and Operations department, oversee project budgets, invoicing, and reporting, ensuring compliance with ALU’s financial policies and donor requirements.
• Contribute to the development of annual workplans, revenue targets, and financial forecasts for the professional development and consultancy portfolio.
• Maintain centralised systems for proposal tracking, client communication, contracts, and project documentation.

Partnerships and Collaboration

• Work closely with the Fundraising and Operations Manager to align fundraising, communications, and partnership strategies with the professional development agenda.
• Collaborate with the ALU Marketing and Communications and the ALU Business Development team to produce marketing materials, alumni stories, and success narratives that strengthen brand visibility
• Contribute to SOWC-wide initiatives such as the Business of Conservation Conference (BCC) and other external stakeholder engagements.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Conservation, Environmental Management, Education, or related field (Master’s degree an advantage).
• 5+ years of experience in professional education, training, business development, consultancy management, or project management — ideally within conservation, sustainability, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing contracts or partnerships with large institutions, government bodies, or international NGOs.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and deliver on time and within budget.

Required Competencies

• Strong business development and client relationship management skills.
• Excellent project management, coordination, and organisational abilities.
• Strong communication, proposal writing, and presentation skills.
• Financial acumen and experience in budgeting and contract management.
• Familiarity with digital learning tools, CRM systems, and workplace platforms such as G-Suite, Slack, Salesforce, or equivalents.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: proactive, adaptable, results-driven, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• A strong interest in conservation, sustainable development, and leadership in Africa.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a small, distributed, and agile team.