Role Specifications

The Head of Strategic Relations is a pivotal role responsible for fostering and maintaining relationships that drive business growth and organisational success. The primary focus is on building and nurturing strategic partnerships, alliances, and collaborations that bring commercial and reputational growth for McGeralds Entrepreneurship Centre (Pty) Ltd.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Partnership Development

• Identifying potential partners: Researching and identifying organisations that align with the company’s strategic goals.
• Building relationships: Establishing and cultivating strong relationships with key decision-makers at potential partner organizations.
• Negotiating partnerships: Structuring and negotiating mutually beneficial partnership agreements.
• Managing partnerships: Overseeing the implementation and performance of partnerships.
• Value proposition alignment and enhancement: Gain a deeper appreciation of the McGeralds Entrepreneurship Centre value proposition and engage with organisational leadership to enhance the offering to suit growth prospects internationally.
• International Growth Opportunities: Identifying, developing and nurturing international expansion opportunities and strategic partnerships, especially within Africa.

Stakeholder Management

• Identifying key stakeholders: Determining internal and external stakeholders who can influence the organization’s success.
• Building relationships: Developing strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Managing expectations: Effectively communicating and managing stakeholder expectations.
• Resolving conflicts: Addressing and resolving issues or conflicts with stakeholders.

Business Development

• Identifying opportunities: Identifying new business opportunities through strategic partnerships.
• Developing proposals: Creating compelling proposals for potential partnerships.
• Partnerships Commercialisation: Developing new income streams and revenue opportunities through new and existing partnerships.
• Closing deals: Negotiating and closing partnership deals that have reputational benefits and commercial opportunities.
• Measuring success: Tracking and analysing the impact of strategic partnerships on business outcomes.

Reputation Management

• Protecting the brand: Safeguarding the organization’s reputation through strategic partnerships.
• Crisis management: Managing potential crises that could impact relationships.
• Public relations: Leveraging partnerships for positive media coverage.

Industry Analysis

• Staying informed: Keeping abreast of industry trends and developments.
• Identifying opportunities: Identifying potential partnership opportunities based on industry analysis.
• Competitive analysis: Assessing the competitive landscape and identifying partnership advantages.

Essential Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree: A Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), International Relations, Political Science, or a related field.
• Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to think strategically and align partnerships with organisational goals.
• Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Business Acumen: A deep understanding of business operations, financial metrics, and market dynamics.
• Negotiation Skills: Proven ability to negotiate complex deals and partnerships to mutual benefit.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate value propositions and build consensus.

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a strategic relations, business development, or partnership management role.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and managing strategic partnerships.
• Experience in negotiating and closing complex deals.
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with high-level executives.
• Experience in conducting industry research and analysis.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and projects.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Industry-specific knowledge: A deep understanding of the industry in which the organization operates.
• Global experience: Experience working in international markets or with multinational organizations.
• Crisis management experience: Experience managing crises and mitigating negative impacts on the organization’s reputation.
• Public relations experience: Experience leveraging public relations to enhance the organization’s brand and reputation.
• Experience in managing virtual teams and remote work arrangements.