ABOUT ALU

At the African Leadership University (ALU), we're more than just an institution—we're a catalyst for transformation. Our mission is to develop a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders who will shape Africa's future. Through our innovative curriculum, focus on experiential learning, and vibrant pan-African community, we empower students to become changemakers, problem-solvers, and innovators. At ALU, we're not just teaching; we're nurturing the leaders who will drive Africa's progress and prosperity in the 21st century.

HOW WE WORK

As a high-growth start-up, 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 ROLE 

The Centre for Entrepreneurship Manager role is critical in leading and scaling ALU's entrepreneurial ecosystem. This role will be responsible for the strategic design, implementation, and management of all entrepreneurship programs, ensuring high-quality support and resources are available to ALU students and alumni to launch and grow impactful ventures. The CFE Manager will be a driving force in fostering a thriving entrepreneurial culture at ALU, building key partnerships, and ensuring programs are impactful, well-managed, and continuously improving to meet the evolving needs of ALU’s entrepreneurial community. This role directly contributes to ALU's mission of developing the next generation of African entrepreneurial leaders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead Entrepreneurship Program Development & Management: Design, implement, and oversee ALU's entrepreneurship programs (incubators, accelerators, competitions), managing the full program lifecycle from planning to evaluation.
• Curriculum & Content Development: Develop engaging curriculum and content for entrepreneurial skill-building workshops, seminars, and boot camps.
• Program Operations & Logistics Management: Coordinate daily operations of all programs, ensuring smooth execution, on-time delivery, and budget adherence.
• Venture Business Support: Provide and coordinate high-caliber entrepreneurial business support to ALU ventures across all venture development stages (Expose | Build | Scale).
• Mentorship & Network Development: Proactively develop and manage a robust mentor pool and create opportunities for ALU entrepreneurs through internal and external relationships.
• Venture Coaching & Guidance: Coach young entrepreneurs through industry-specific challenges and financing opportunities, providing tailored business development support.
• Relationship & Partnership Management: Cultivate internal and external partnerships to enhance venture opportunities and manage collaborative partner relationships.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Report on Entrepreneurship KPIs, manage the Health Venture Seed Fund, and utilize project management systems for program oversight and reporting to stakeholders.
• Program Enhancement & Innovation: Evaluate programs using metrics, recommend and implement enhancements, and collaborate on curriculum advancement.
• Program Promotion & Recruitment: Promote programs to internal and external stakeholders, manage student recruitment and admissions processes.

 

REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Entrepreneurial Background: Proven experience as a serial entrepreneur or founder/early employee in a high-impact startup, demonstrating practical startup building experience.
• Relevant Experience & Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Startup Ecosystem Understanding: Strong analytical ability and understanding of business models and drivers of success in startups across diverse sectors.
• Venture Analysis & Evaluation: Experience in analyzing and systematically evaluating ventures and their potential.
• Financial & Strategic Acumen: Proficiency in financial modeling, market analysis, and strategic planning.
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated experience and confidence in engaging and building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Corporate Relationship Management: Experience managing corporate relationships within an innovation or entrepreneurship program.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Functional Competencies:

• Business Acumen & Venture Development: Strong business acumen, understanding of venture development stages, business models, and startup success factors.
• Analytical & Evaluation Skills: Highly skilled in analyzing and systematically evaluating ventures, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative metrics.
• Financial Modeling & Strategic Planning: Proficiency in financial modeling, conducting market analysis, and developing strategic plans for new ventures.
• Project Management Expertise: Highly organized with strong project management skills to manage complex programs and initiatives.

Soft Competencies:

• Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, with remarkable tact and ability to build relationships with diverse and challenging personalities.
• Relationship Building & Networking: Proven networking capabilities and exceptional interpersonal skills to manage high-impact relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Mentoring & Coaching Expertise: Considerable experience and passion for mentoring and coaching young entrepreneurs through their venture journey.
• Team Leadership & Motivation: Strong team-oriented work ethic with the ability to work independently, autonomously and contribute to a team environment; motivating staff and companies involved in programs.
• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Skilled at dealing with challenging people and situations, adaptable to evolving program needs and able to evaluate development options.