Director of University Guidance African Leadership Academy serves a uniquely capable and diverse student population. Each class of 125 students, selected from 2,500 applicants or more, represents the potential, promise and passion of the continent. After 2 years in our leadership development program, students go on from ALA to enrol at leading institutions of higher learning across the globe. ALA students have enrolled at 314 different universities in 59 countries around the world. From our first 15 classes, 95% of ALA graduates enrolled in university within 15 months of completing the program. These classes were awarded, collectively, more than $225 million in financial assistance.
ALA graduates have been terrifically successful at university, with achievements that far out-pace comparable cohorts. At leading institutions around the world alumni are rising to campus leadership, appearing on Dean's lists and collecting awards. Already ALA has produced 2 Rhodes Scholars, 3 Knight-Hennessy recipients and 8 Schwarzman Scholars. While most of our alumni leave the continent for university, most will return to work in Africa within the first 5 years of their career.
ALA's University Guidance (UG) program serves this unique population of students and parents in planning and pursuing successful transitions beyond ALA. In keeping with our leadership development philosophy, students are expected to take the lead in authoring their future. The UG program provides students and families with the information, resources and coaching necessary to pursue the tertiary education wherever in the world they feel drawn to travel.
The Director of University Guidance will lead the four-person team that delivers the UG program at ALA. As such, they will be responsible for ALA's overall transitions strategy. At this exciting time in ALA's history, the Director will be able to build on fifteen years of success to expand ALA's global transitions footprint and develop industry-leading systems and processes.
The Roles & Responsibilities Strategic & Programmatic Leadership Collaborate with the Dean of the Academy to define and pursue an overarching Transitions strategy in keeping with the aspirations and mission of the Academy.Design and deliver a two-year transitions curriculum for a pan-African cohort of students seeking international tertiary opportunities and requiring significant financial assistance.Provide direct counselling and guidance to 35-45 students in the senior class.Lead a program of engagement with parents as partners in their student's transitions journey.Participate as a key leader within the Dean's team, aligning activities across the school to achieve shared objectives.Team Leadership, Development and Performance Management Provide managerial leadership, coaching and guidance to a team of 2 counsellors and one administrative assistant.Plan and supervise a departmental budget, allocating resources to achieve annual objectives.Leverage data and systems to drive results, starting with strong behaviour within the team.Research & Relationships Develop, maintain and enhance collaborative partnerships with leading colleges, universities and scholarship partners around the world.Represent the academy on college campus visits as well as at relevant regional and international conferences and workshops.Collaborate with Marketing and Institutional Learning teams to develop and update departmental collateral for universities and parents.Competencies and Experience Passionate about the African continent, its people and its future.Passionate about connecting high-potential youth with high-impact opportunities.Proven track record of working with high-achieving low-income students in their transition to university.Maintains an extensive network of professional affiliations in the higher education space.Driven by a growth mindset, eager to learn and innovate.Demonstrated ability to support the growth and development of students and adults.Demonstrated ability to build and maintain personal and institutional relationships.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.At least 7 years of relevant industry experience; of which at least 2 must be in a leadership or managerial role.Expected start date: September 2024
#J-18808-Ljbffr
