Vacancy: Head of Strategic Partnerships
The iHub, an innovation hub and hacker space for the technology community in Nairobi, is considered the most successful tech hub in Africa and one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
The iHub, an innovation hub and hacker space for the technology community in Nairobi, is considered the most successful tech hub in Africa and one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
It has
played a pivotal role in growth of the tech community outside of Nairobi
through advisory services resulting in the establishment of hubs in Mombasa,
Kisumu, and Rift Valley.
This
incubator space represents a vibrant community of tech innovators and
entrepreneurs looking to build and scale tech startups.
Over
the past few years, iHub has cemented itself as the nexus point not just for
the Kenyan tech community, but the world.
The iHub’s vision is to create an ecosystem for innovation and technology to solve pressing issues in which those innovations spur entrepreneurial ventures that create jobs and promote human capital development and opportunity.
The iHub’s vision is to create an ecosystem for innovation and technology to solve pressing issues in which those innovations spur entrepreneurial ventures that create jobs and promote human capital development and opportunity.
We
believe that our collective experience can usher in a paradigm shift of
innovation-led development that gives people the tools to invent solutions to
the pressing issues they face each day, such as access to quality education,
healthcare, food security, and poverty.
We aim
to provide the capacity, education, and services needed for these inventions to
turn into entrepreneurial organizations that can scale up to increase
employment opportunities, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
Today, the iHub is entering a new chapter where they will sharpen their service offerings, become more profitable, and find and grow leading, innovative and forward thinking start-ups.
Today, the iHub is entering a new chapter where they will sharpen their service offerings, become more profitable, and find and grow leading, innovative and forward thinking start-ups.
To
this end, the iHub is expanding their leadership team and is seeking to hire a
Head of Strategic Partnerships.
The
role is responsible for leading the expansion of the iHub through key strategic
relationships, generating leads and promoting the iHub’s services.
Job Summary: The Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships position requires a leader with a presence and creative vision, highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrable ability to influence senior stakeholders, both internal and external, and innate drive to meet targets and objectives.
Job Summary: The Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships position requires a leader with a presence and creative vision, highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrable ability to influence senior stakeholders, both internal and external, and innate drive to meet targets and objectives.
This
position plays a critical role in the development of our overall partnership
and sales strategy, and s/he will be responsible for the execution and ongoing
optimization of a broad range of partnerships and leads.
Therefore
s/he must be a keen strategic thinker with a passion for leading innovation,
advancing the impact of the iHub’s community team, business development, and
driving the growth of the iHub services.
S/he
will be able to build trusting and productive relationships across all areas
and levels as well as also hone and deepen existing ones.
The
candidate will report to the CEO and work closely with the senior management
team.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Director of Sales & Strategic Partnerships are outlined below:
Senior Leadership Team Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Director of Sales & Strategic Partnerships are outlined below:
Senior Leadership Team Responsibilities
- In
conjunction with the Board and senior management, develop a partnership
strategy designed to maximize revenue by securing new partners for long
term, mutually beneficial, relationships;
- Develop
systems and procedures in support of the identification, engagement, and
development of strategic partnerships;
- Work
closely with a broad range of cross-functional stakeholders and understand
the full scope of iHub’s services and potential while bearing in mind
industry trends and strategic opportunities to partner;
- Contribute
to a thriving culture for the entire organization and positively promote
the iHub’s strategic objectives internally and externally;
- Contribute
proactively to, shape and successfully implement strategic and annual
plans;
- Cultivate
and offer focused strategic thinking, planning and decision making that
accomplishes strategic objectives;
- Lead,
manage and develop assigned staff to meet strategic sales and annual
goals;
- Create
messaging, talking points and scripts for the iHub team to communicate the
broader impact of the iHub and to communicate the types of services
offered;
- Develop
and implement a pricing and discount strategy to maximize iHub profits
while maximizing the iHub’s impact; and
- Manage
the related budgets and responsible for meeting fiscal goals
Lead
Generation
- Create
and implement a plan to generate enough leads to support significant
growth;
- Identify
target markets, create a marketing plan, budget appropriately, and work
effectively with the Marketing team to implement sales messages based on
overall strategy;
- Track
the results of lead generation activities and recommend changes based on
what is working most effectively to generate quality leads that convert to
new groups; and
- Maintain
a long term perspective, understanding the sales cycle and the number of
leads needed to meet current and future goals.
Strategic
Relationships
- Create
and implement a strategy to identify and pursue partners with the capacity
to greatly impact the iHub community and contribute to increase in sale of
iHub services;
- Initiate
relationships by scheduling appointments, identify the mutual win, make
initial presentation, and engage the team as needed;
- Develop
partner networks and strategic partnerships locally, regionally, and
internationally;
- Coordinate
the management of ongoing relationships with existing partners and where
relevant, leverage those relationships to greater collective impact;
- Collaborate
with cross-functional teams within the iHub to structure and execute
business initiatives, lead analysis and develop and communicate final
recommendations for growing partner relationships;
- Provide
timely and accurate reporting of pipeline, strategic partnerships and
management activities;
- Drive
the process of establishing Memo of Understandings between the iHub and
the strategic partner by building rapport; defining success; overcoming
objections; preparing contracts;
- Manage
existing and new strategic relationships by reporting, fostering
excitement and expressing appreciation on behalf of the iHub; and
- Deliver
professional sales presentations to potential partner organizations and
clients with the ability to persuade and close
business.
Sponsor
Relations
- Create
strategy to acquire, retain, and grow sponsor relationships bearing in
mind annual revenue and expense budgets;
- Oversee
sponsor communication and processes to ensure quality service and aid in
retention;
- Integrate
sponsor relationships throughout the organization as needed and ensure
clear communication; and
- Execute
strategic sponsorships; host and speak at key startup events, dinners; and
create mini-events as needed.
Job
Requirements
- Bachelor’s
Degree in related field;
- Minimum
of seven years (7) professional experience;
- At
least three to five years(3-5) of experience in strategic sales or
business development;
- Knowledge
and understanding of the context in Kenya and Africa as it relates
to innovation, start-ups and the tech industry;
- Self
motivated team player with a proven ability to work with aggressive
individual and team sales goals;
- Superior
knowledge regarding the practices and principles related to the sale and
implementation of corporate partnership;
- Ability
to establish and maintain strong working relationships with clients,
investors, donors, and colleagues;
- Proven
ability to find strategic partnerships that have led to increase revenue
and contracts and leveraged further opportunities;
- Proven
ability to negotiate and work with high level executives, both internally
and externally;
- Strong
analytic skills (financial, budgeting, planning, and operational);
- Demonstrated
drive to solve problems in a matrix team environment and leading with high
energy and a positive attitude;
- Demonstrated
success in that role and tangible experience of having expanded and
cultivated existing partnerships over time;
- Experience
of working as part of a senior management team and leading organizational
strategy;
- Strong
relationship building skills and an entrepreneurial approach that leverages
further opportunities;
- Strong
executive presence with excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Experience
working in and interest in startups and the startup community with a
strong understanding of technology trends and innovation;
- Supervisory
and teambuilding experience with the ability to engage, mentor, lead, and
motivate team members; and
- Ability
to plan, effectively, and to delegate.
Vacancy: Kenya Chief Executive Officer
The iHub, an innovation hub and hacker space for the technology community in Nairobi, is considered the most successful tech hub in Africa and one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
The iHub, an innovation hub and hacker space for the technology community in Nairobi, is considered the most successful tech hub in Africa and one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
It has
played a pivotal role in growth of the tech community outside of Nairobi
through advisory services resulting in the establishment of hubs in Mombasa,
Kisumu, and Rift Valley.
Moreover,
the iHub has also supported establishment of hubs in several African countries
(Botswana, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) and is a founding member of
Afrilabs, the umbrella body of innovation hubs on the continent.
This
incubator space represents a vibrant community of tech innovators and
entrepreneurs looking to build and scale tech start-ups.
Over
the past few years, iHub has cemented itself as the nexus point, not just for
the Kenyan tech community, but the world.
The iHub’s vision is to create an ecosystem for innovation and technology to solve pressing issues in which those innovations spur entrepreneurial ventures that create jobs and promote human capital development and opportunity.
The iHub’s vision is to create an ecosystem for innovation and technology to solve pressing issues in which those innovations spur entrepreneurial ventures that create jobs and promote human capital development and opportunity.
We
believe that our collective experience can usher in a paradigm shift of
innovation-led development that gives people the tools to invent solutions to
the pressing issues they face each day, such as access to quality education,
healthcare, food security, and poverty.
We aim
to provide the capacity, education, and services needed for these inventions to
turn into entrepreneurial organizations that can scale up to increase
employment opportunities, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
Today, the iHub is entering a new chapter where they will sharpen their service offerings, become more profitable, and find and grow leading, innovative, and forward thinking start-ups.
Today, the iHub is entering a new chapter where they will sharpen their service offerings, become more profitable, and find and grow leading, innovative, and forward thinking start-ups.
To
this end, the iHub is in search of a (Chief Executive Officer) CEO to usher in
this new chapter and build a sustainable and profitable tech business that can
scale up regionally and globally.
Job Summary: The ideal CEO is someone who has the right mix of leadership, passion, energy, experience, business savvy, entrepreneurial spirit, innovative nature, and the ability to be a visionary.
Job Summary: The ideal CEO is someone who has the right mix of leadership, passion, energy, experience, business savvy, entrepreneurial spirit, innovative nature, and the ability to be a visionary.
S/he
must have a proven track record, understand the tech industry, and how to
monitor the key trends and pivot accordingly.
Working
with the Board of Directors, the CEO will advance the iHub’s vision and mission
and provide high-level strategic and tactical leadership.
As the
chief steward of the organization, s/he will develop strategic partnerships,
ensure overall revenue and profit goals are achieved, and motivate a high
performance, innovative, and results-driven organization.
S/he
must also be comfortable working with global customers, investors, donors, and
relevant stakeholders.
It is
also imperative that s/he be motivated by the organisation’s ability to connect
people, support start-ups, and surface information—ultimately, leveraging all
these attributes to support the growing local, continental, and international
tech community.
Is this you?
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the CEO are outlined below:
Leadership and Strategy
Is this you?
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the CEO are outlined below:
Leadership and Strategy
- Serve
as a spokesperson for the organization who can articulate and promote the
iHub’s vision and mission;
- Provide
strong and innovative leadership in an open collaborative environment;
- Lead,
in conjunction with the Board, the development and implementation of the
short and long-term strategies;
- Create
and refine the organisation’s vision, keeping in mind the strategy
as well as current/future trends;
- Ensure
effective internal controls and management information systems are in
place;
- Set
the tone and direction by communicating the strategy and vision of where
the organization is headed;
- Provide
avenues for full and open communication and collaboration with the
community at large to promote an awareness of the diverse and changing
needs of the community;
- Communicate
effectively with investors, employees, and stakeholders;
- Ensure
that the organisation maintains high standards of corporate
citizenship and social responsibility wherever it does business; and
- Ensure
the integrity of all public disclosure by the organization.
Board
Engagement
- Act
as a liaison between the organisation and the Board;
- Keep
the Board fully informed on the governance and condition of the iHub and
the influencing internal and external factors;
- Identify
and address opportunities and challenges, bringing those which are
necessary to the attention of the Board and/or its committees;
- Inform
the Board and stakeholders about the trends and activities to facilitate
policy making;
- Liaise
effectively with senior management to develop Board agendas and organize
annual meeting of shareholders and special meetings when appropriate; and
- Sit
on committees of the Board where appropriate as determined by the Board.
Management
and Administration
- Provide
general oversight of all iHub activities, manage the day-to-day
operations, and ensure a smoothly functioning and efficient organization;
- Build
a strong brand through thought leadership and relationship management
activities;
- Keep
abreast of all material undertakings and activities of the
organisation and all internal and external factors affecting the
organisation;
- Assure
organizational stability through development and implementation of
standards and controls, systems and procedures, and regular evaluation;
- Assess
the principal risks of the organisation and ensure that these risks
are being monitored and managed;
- Lead
by personal example and encourage all employees to conduct their
activities in accordance with all applicable laws and the organisation’s
standards and policies, including its environmental, safety, and health
policies; and
- Assure
a work environment that recruits, retains, and supports quality staff.
Finance
- Oversee
the fiscal activities of the organization, including budgeting, reporting,
and audit;
- Increase
sales and promotion of iHub services;
- Manage
revenue, expenses, external financing to maintain consistent growth of
business;
- Ensure
revenue growth is achieved and sustainable to sustain and meet the goals
of the strategic plan; and
- Create
strategic partnerships and build relationships to provide resources to
grow the organization.
Human
Resource
- Develop
a culture and environment that will help attract, retain, and optimise the
most capable staff and innovators; and
- Ensure
the organisation is appropriately organized and staffed and that staff are
performing at an optimal level.
Legal
- Ensure
that the organisation conducts its activities both lawfully and ethically;
and
- Assure
the filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitor compliance
with relevant laws and regulations.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate should have the following qualifications:
The ideal candidate should have the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s
degree in a relevant field;
- Minimum
of ten (10) years professional experience with three to five (3 - 5) years
in senior management;
- Demonstrate
critical competencies of a CEO: commitment to results, business savvy,
leading change, and motivating;
- Knowledge
and understanding of the context in Kenya and Africa as it relates to
innovation, start-ups, and the tech industry;
- Experience
as an entrepreneur who has taken at least one start-up from seed round all
the way to an investor’s exit strategy (desired);
- Demonstrable
experience in fundraising through angels, super angels, and venture
capitalists;
- Ability
to channel and synthesize expectations and needs of multiple constituents,
including users and developers;
- High
level of comfort and passion for technology and a sense of the
possibilities of community and collaboration;
- Experience
in working with an international community of people and organizations;
- A
highly regarded professional stature and credibility;
- Effective
at leading and managing highly independent and self-motivated employees;
- Ability
to prioritize and tackle multiple tasks and see the big picture;
- Proven
ability to meet budget, revenue, and profit goals;
- Excellent
leadership, negotiation, management, problem solving, and interpersonal
skills;
- Possess
maturity, high integrity, sound judgment, persistence, and humility;
- Excellent
oral and written communication, social, and interpersonal skills;
- Ability
to solve problems, work under pressure, effectively make decisions, and
address urgent matters;
- Ability
to plan, effectively, and to delegate;
- Strategic,
visionary, and innovative thinker; and
- Track record of building innovative, creative, and collaborative teams.
If you
believe you qualify for this position, please apply for the position by sending
your CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@dpckenya.com
Only qualified candidates shall be contacted
Candidates are reviewed immediately and interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis until a candidate is secured.
Only qualified candidates shall be contacted
Candidates are reviewed immediately and interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis until a candidate is secured.
