Chief Operations Officer

Chief Operations officer Education Training Academy Training and development

Role Purpose

The COO will lead the strategic direction and operational management of the Training Academy. The initial focus is on strengthening the South African market, followed by expansion into selected African countries by 2028.
The role ensures the delivery of high-quality training programmes, financial sustainability, and the academy’s positioning as a leading training provider.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic plan to expand the academy within South Africa and into Africa by 2028
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and strategic partnerships
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activity to guide decision-making
• Analyse South African and African markets to identify current and future skills gaps and training opportunities

Operational Management

• Oversee day-to-day academy operations, ensuring efficient delivery of training programmes
• Implement policies and procedures to maintain high training and service standards
• Manage budgets, financial performance, and resource allocation

Learning & Development

• Design and implement an employee learning and development framework aligned to business and marketing strategy
• Develop engaging learning solutions including e-learning, instructor-led, blended learning, and on-the-job training
• Lead the design and rollout of blended learning programmes
• Identify and implement appropriate learning technologies (LMS, authoring tools, and digital platforms)
• Continuously review and update curriculum to meet evolving business and market needs

Business Development

• Build and maintain relationships with government bodies, corporate clients, SETAs, and educational institutions
• Develop and execute marketing and sales strategies to attract and retain clients
• Represent the academy at industry events, conferences, and networking platforms
• Drive strategic sales plans across South African and African markets
• Implement pricing strategies that balance sales growth and gross profit

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of employees and trainers
• Foster an inclusive, innovative, and high-performance culture
• Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback
• Facilitate career development discussions and individual development plans
• Partner with HR and leadership to deliver talent development, succession planning, and leadership programmes

Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards
• Implement quality assurance processes to improve training effectiveness
• Collect and analyse client and learner feedback to drive continuous improvement

Stakeholder Communication

• Maintain clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders on academy progress and outcomes
• Build and sustain partnerships with external stakeholders, including training providers and educational institutions

Innovation in Learning

• Champion innovation to enhance learning and career development outcomes
• Identify and leverage AI-driven learning opportunities to improve programme delivery and impact

Expansion Planning

• Conduct market research to identify African expansion opportunities
• Develop and implement a phased expansion strategy, including new training centres and local partnerships
• Monitor expansion performance and adapt strategies where required
• Assist with establishing operational presence in African markets

Customer & Sales Management

• Build and lead high-performing sales teams
• Ensure exceptional customer service and long-term client relationships
• Deliver comprehensive product and service training to distributors and customers
• Lead marketing teams to maximise promotional effectiveness
• Implement succession planning and continuous development within sales and marketing teams

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Proven senior leadership experience, preferably within education or training
• Strong strategic planning and business development capability
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop diverse teams
• Knowledge of South African and African training markets (advantageous)

Personal Attributes

• Visionary and strategic thinker
• Results-driven with strong growth focus
• Adaptable, resilient, and commercially astute
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development