About the position
Managing Executive – Global Education & Professional Qualifications
Location: Midrand | Executive Leadership | Confidential Search
The Mandate
Our client, a well-established and respected professional organisation, is seeking to appoint a Managing Executive to lead and scale a newly established, high-growth business unit with a global mandate.
This role presents a rare opportunity to architect, commercialise and internationalise a future-focused education and professional qualifications platform. The successful incumbent will operate at an executive level, with full accountability for strategy, growth, and operational delivery.
The environment is entrepreneurial in nature, requiring an individual who is equally comfortable defining strategy and executing at pace.
Key Focus Areas
Strategic & Commercial Leadership
• Define and drive a global growth strategy, including market expansion, partnerships, and revenue diversification
• Establish a commercially viable and scalable operating model
• Deliver sustainable revenue growth and long-term profitability
Education & Product Leadership
• Oversee the development and continuous enhancement of professional qualifications and curriculum frameworks
• Ensure alignment with industry requirements, regulatory standards, and global best practice
• Position the organisation as a leader in professional education and certification
Digital Transformation & Global Academy
• Lead the establishment of a digitally enabled, globally accessible learning platform
• Drive innovation in delivery models, ensuring scalability and accessibility across markets
• Develop strategies for learner acquisition, retention, and engagement
Operational & Financial Oversight
• Assume full accountability for business planning, financial performance, and governance
• Implement robust performance metrics, reporting frameworks, and operational efficiencies
• Manage risk, compliance, and quality assurance across jurisdictions
Stakeholder & Industry Engagement
• Engage at a senior level with regulators, professional bodies, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders
• Represent the organisation in influencing industry standards, policy, and thought leadership
• Build strategic partnerships to support growth and market positioning
Leadership
• Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing, multidisciplinary team
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
Candidate Profile
We are seeking a commercially astute executive with a strong track record in education, professional bodies, or certification environments, combined with the ability to operate in a dynamic, growth-focused setting.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
• Proven experience in a senior leadership or executive role
• A track record of building or scaling business units, programmes, or organisations
• Deep understanding of education frameworks, curriculum development, and accreditation processes
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and driving profitability
• Exposure to global markets or international expansion initiatives
• Ability to engage and influence at Board and executive stakeholder level
• A strategic mindset, coupled with the ability to execute and deliver measurable outcomes
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or a related field
• A postgraduate qualification (MBA, Education Management, or similar) will be advantageous
The Opportunity
This is a career-defining role for an individual seeking to build and lead a globally relevant platform within a respected professional environment.
The position offers the opportunity to shape strategy, influence industry direction, and deliver meaningful impact at scale.
Confidentiality
This search is being conducted on a confidential basis. Further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
Desired Skills:
- Business Planning
- Education
- Accountability
- Entrepreneurial
- Leadership
- Strategic Partnerships
- Digital Transformation
