Sales & Partnerships Specialist: Lagos

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? 

Sounds exciting? Read on…

ABOUT ALX AFRICA

ALX Africa, a non-profit organisation under the ALX Foundation, is dedicated to unlocking the potential of Africa's digital future. Formerly part of Sand Tech Holdings, we've embarked on an independent journey to provide world-class tech skills training and career acceleration programmes. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide, upskill and reskill talent, and create a generation of innovative leaders. By 2030, we aim to empower 2 million Africans to secure sustainable tech 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 industry. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, industry partnerships, and hands-on projects, we prepare our students for in-demand roles in software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

We achieve this by:

• Providing young professionals with access to the most in-demand tech skills that will power the future.
• Empowering the next generation of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders through challenging, real-world coursework.
• Building a lifelong, impactful community of tech professionals that support them at all stages of their career journey. 

 Visit our website www.alxafrica.com to learn more about our digital revolution.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Sales & 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 also 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.

As the Sales & Partnerships Manager, you will be responsible for: 

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 Sales & Partnerships:

• Identify and pursue local, regional and international grant opportunities aligned with organizational goals.
• Draft compelling proposals and applications that highlight the organization’s impact and potential.
• Collaborate with corporations and individual donors to fulfill CSR initiatives and ensure seamless donation processes.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage Nigerian and diaspora communities in fundraising activities.
• Develop joint programs, such as workshops and events, that align with the interests of both the organization and its partners.
• Work closely with marketing teams to ensure co-branded initiatives effectively enhance market reach and elevate the brand.
• Monitor and evaluate the success of these initiatives, leveraging insights to optimize future collaborations.

Strategic Impact and Performance Analysis:

• Establish a tracking system for fundraising initiatives to monitor application status and ensure timely follow-ups.
• Oversee Documentation and Lifecycle Management of B2B and B2G Partnerships and ensure all partnership agreements are accurately documented and stored in a centralized, accessible system.
• Conduct regular reviews of partnership agreements to assess alignment with organizational objectives and evolving needs.
• Maintain a lifecycle management process to track partnership performance, renewal timelines, and exit strategies.
• 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.
• Provide detailed impact reports to donors, showcasing the outcomes of their contributions.

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 bodies, building linkages, securing partnerships and, advocating for policies that support tech education, employment, youth 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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Professional Experience: A minimum of 8 years experience in sales and partnerships in either the profit or the nonprofit sector, with experience in both sectors the most desirable. Additional experience in project management, events activation, 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.

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.

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 ethic 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.

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

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