Are you excited about joining a dynamic, award-winning social enterprise at a point of scale?
This role invites leaders to embrace the best of play the joyful, fun and exploratory aspects of leading a pioneering children’s museum. We’re looking for a Managing Director excited to embrace the qualities of dignity, inclusion and excellence that have made Play Africa the “Best Rising NGO” in South Africa.
This inspiring, hands-on leader will manage all aspects of the non-profit company. He/she will shape Play Africa’s operational model and will lead our small, dedicated team to build systems and a culture that will see Play Africa continuing to grow across South Africa and into new markets. We’re ideally looking for someone who has:
A passion for creating social impact through innovative education solutions, ideally with experience in playful learning in early childhood development (ECD), foundation-phase education and/or museum settings
Well-honed leadership and management skills, with experience managing diverse teams and working collaboratively with communities
Past involvement in designing and/or refining an operational model at scale
While we recognise that candidates may not have everything we are looking for, ideal applicants will demonstrate many of these attributes, skills and experiences.
Provide strategic input and strong leadership to the organisation
Collaborate with the board and team to promote, distinguish, and carry out Play Africa’s mission, vision and goals.
Guide and sustain the excellence of Play Africa’s programmes, events, and activities, ensuring effective implementation and regular communication with the Board and stakeholders on achievement of strategic goals and objectives;
Develop Play Africa’s annual business plan and obtain the approval of the Board, including the financial and budget requirements to achieve that plan and for delivery of results against the plan;
Foster an evaluative mindset in the organisation,supporting monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning efforts with an aim to ensure our work achieves intended outcomes, and evaluating the relevance to the community;
Define and implement a coherent strategy to address the vision and mandate of the organisation to achieve maximum catalytic impact;
Develop a competitive advantage strategy that will differentiate Play Africa to other relevant organisations with similar objectives;
Oversee the development and alignment of sub-strategies within the organisation, including, but not limited to:
Learning Strategy
Recruitment Strategy
Communications and Business Development Strategy
Community Development Strategy
Establish wide recognition for Play Africa as a thought leader in the areas of children’s museums, playful learning in early childhood development (ECD) and foundation-phase education;
Develop new and existing strategic networks with other relevant organisations locally and internationally, to ensure a strong partner-based approach to children’s learning and development;
Facilitate the integration of Play Africa into the community by overseeing the use of effective marketing and communication activities.
Legal and Compliance
Ensure the filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitors compliance with relevant laws and regulations;
Represent the organisation at all legal and regulatory hearings.
Business Operations
Provide general management of all Play Africa activities, manage the day-to-day operations, and assure a smoothly functioning, efficient organisation;
Manage alignment of projects, programmes and initiatives.
Evaluate programme components, so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the Board, visitors, funders, and other constituents
Financial Management
Develop, implement, and monitor Play Africa annual budget and forecasts in collaboration with our Board of Directors;
Ensure that incoming revenue (including donations, grants and other funding) meet the revenue goals, including adequate cash flow;
Lead the organisation with impeccable financial controls, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the
Play Africa’s financial information, reporting and disclosure requirements, internal controls and management information systems;
Ensure the financial sustainability of the organisation, guiding the development of annual fundraising and business development plans to support each year’s programmatic goals;
Partner with the business development team in cultivating, engaging, and stewarding donors, grant makers, partnerships, and other funding sources at all levels of giving;
Manage and support the fiscal activities of the finance team, including budgeting, reporting and auditing.
Role model an “audit mindset,” and ensure ongoing compliance as a non-profit company by participating actively in our annual external audit, with a goal of unqualified audited financial statements.
People Management and Recruitment
Respect and nurture the expertise, creativity and commitment of Play Africa’s team;
Provide final sign-off and approval on any new hires across the organisation, and be responsible for the recruitment, selection and development of the Senior Management team;
Lead and develop Play Africa’s senior management team and ensure effective systems to track progress;
Manage performance of direct reports ensuring agreement of annual goals, measuring performance against agreed goals and dealing with non-performance accordingly;
Provide talent management for direct reports, including career developments and paths for all staff and succession planning for key positions;
Ensure that staff receives adequate and relevant training to support their career development and progression.
Outreach and marketing
Develop and implement an annual marketing communications plan to increase the visibility of our work and keep supporters well-informed.
Oversee all public communications including emails and letters, social media postings, website, newsletters, brochures, and public relations materials to preserve the unique spirit and voice of Play Africa.
Demonstrate outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including a public speaking style that can convey the spirit and purpose of Play Africa.
Board relations
Report to the Board, attend each Board meeting, and keep Board members thoroughly informed of
Play Africa’s progress and any obstacles to success;
Attend regular meetings with the board chair for advice and updates;
Engage each Board member in Play Africa’s work to build a lasting commitment and enlist their support, as needed, to help achieve immediate and long-term goals;
Cultivate relationships between the staff and board of directors;
Work with the board to develop an annual strategic plan, monitor its implementation, and measure progress;
Help the board identify, recruit, and develop active and diverse board members who can support the work of Play Africa in multiple ways
Submit your cv with copies of qualifications to Richard Gill at [email protected].
This is full time position with a salary range of R35 000 to R45 000 CTC.