Organisation Director

Candidates should have at least 10 years proven managerial experience, ideally in a social entrepreneurship context. A background that blends familiarity with government, nonprofit, and for-profit institutions is ideal. A background in technology, product development, or user research is not compulsory but would be advantageous.  Experience in growing an organisation, a program area, or a network of partners would serve candidates for this position well. Experience with business development, fundraising, and financial oversight is required.

The new Director will report to a five-member Board of Directors, lead a team of ±20 people and steward an annual operating budget of approximately R14 million.

Key Priorities and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement OpenUp’s strategic vision and strategy in partnership with the OpenUp team and Board
• Lead and manage the implementation of the organisation's activities
• Oversee organisational development to facilitate the implementation of our work
• Ensure accurate financial management of financial resources (supported by an operations manager and finance)
• Manage OpenUp’s donor relationships, including writing proposals and donor reporting
• Present quarterly progress and updates to the Board
• Build and maintain OpenUp’s relationships with stakeholders in all relevant sectors
• Write blogs, op-eds, and otherwise communicate OpenUp’s successes, failures, and experiments
• Represent OpenUp in various forums, including engaging with government, civil society organisations, the media and funding partners
• Support and manage the OpenUp team within an organisational culture that is just, fair and considerate
• Manage the performance of the team, including recruitment where needed

Culture and team

• Build a shared understanding of OpenUp’s strategy and clarity around roles and specific contributions to achieving goals
• Provide effective internal leadership and coaching
• Define how decisions are made and the structure for performance management and professional development
• Safeguard the culture and values of the organisation, and ensure that the organisation, its leaders, and its team continue to act from a place of authenticity and integrity, as they strive to live the organisational values in day-to-day interactions with each other and with partners

Strategic Leadership

• Vision: drive excitement about growing the impact of the organisation (and help defining that impact)
• Plan: shape, drive, and enable growth while developing a structured strategy to scale that will position OpenUp to achieve the objectives set out in the organisation’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Framework
• Business Model: evolve OpenUp’s business model to grow resources that support mission and innovation of services while ensuring a healthy balance sheet

Partnership Development

• Establish New Partnerships: proactively identify, evaluate and act on critical strategic opportunities to build and establish new partnerships relevant to the mission of OpenUp
• Grow Existing Partnerships: support the team in building multi-year revenue opportunities
• Secure Non-Project Specific Funding: Work closely with the Board to seek opportunities for collaborations, grants and investments that would allow OpenUp to invest in operationalising reach and impact‍
• Promote Awareness: serve as a key spokesperson representing the organisation with credibility and enthusiasm; leverage OpenUp’s history and strong reputation as a trusted partner by clearly communicating its vision and value proposition to diverse stakeholder audiences

Operational Infrastructure

• Invest in organisational infrastructure that supports growth and scale, such as new financial and HR management systems where relevant
• Operationalise repeatable processes and proven techniques across issue areas and geographies
• Institutionalise cross-organisational learning and expertise sharing across networks and issue areas

Delivery Excellence

• Ensure that existing projects are well managed, resourced, supported, and effectively communicated/connected to the broader organisation and its goals
• Strengthen systems for active stewardship of projects as they evolve
• Support a structured, organisation-wide measurement and evaluation model to capture learnings for use in refining offerings and supporting partnership  development

Ideal Candidate

OpenUp is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages historically disadvantaged candidates to apply.

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years work experience - preferably in start-ups and/or social entrepreneurships. Exceptional candidates without a degree will be considered;
• Prior experience in a directorship or managerial position;
• Show demonstrable leadership ability and experience;
• Experience in financial management and budgetary oversight of an organisation;
• Experience in leading inter-disciplinary programmes and human resource management;
• Excellent research and writing skills;
• Proven experience in business development, fundraising and donor/funder report writing; and
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and organisational skills.

To be considered

Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@openup.org.za. 

Applicants applying by 30 April 2021 will be given priority consideration, with the position open until filled.