Partnerships & Placement Lead

About Life Choices Academy Life Choices Academy has been on a mission to bridge the skills gap in South Africa. We provide world-class upskilling programs to young people from underprivileged backgrounds, equipping them with the technical and soft skills they need to thrive in high-demand industries. The academy focuses on Software Development, Salesforce Administration & Development, and Solar PV Installation. Role Purpose The Partnerships & Placement Lead is responsible for securing and managing employment pathways for our academy graduates. This includes building and nurturing employer partnerships, converting opportunities into formal internship or placement agreements, and ensuring that we meet our targets for employment and contractual outcomes. The role is both outward-facing (employer engagement, partnership development) and operational (contractual facilitation, placement process management), with a strong emphasis on driving results that contribute to targeted youth placement outcomes. The lead will also need to understand transformation initiatives such as B‑BBEE Skills Development, Yes4Youth, and others. Key Responsibilities Employer Engagement & Partnerships Build, maintain, and expand a network of employers, corporates, and industry partners. Secure internships, projects, and graduate employment opportunities with strong conversion potential. Develop leads and employment pipelines that support alumni with long-term career progression. Represent Life Choices Academy at industry events, employer showcases, and networking platforms. Promote the Academy as a partner for corporate youth employability and transformation strategies. Facilitate introductions to partners where applicable to leverage potential B‑BBEE opportunities. Contractual & Compliance Management Draft, negotiate, and finalize internship agreements, placement contracts, and MOUs. Ensure all potential employment partners meet the minimum requirements and standards to host internships and recruit talent for employment purposes. Maintain accurate and accessible records of agreements and renewals. Manage and communicate the placement outcomes across channels that support cross‑functional coordination. Placement Process Management Oversee the full recruitment and placement cycle, including interview scheduling and readiness preparation. Contract facilitation and onboarding documentation. Provide weekly placement and pipeline reports to management. Collaborate with internal departments to ensure smooth handover of interns into employment opportunities. Data, Reporting & Insights Track and report on placement conversions, employer pipelines, and student employment outcomes in the placement database. Provide insights into industry hiring trends to inform curriculum and training design. Contribute to impact and funder reports showcasing youth employability outcomes. Qualifications Matric essential; a three-year degree or diploma in Business, HR, Sales / Marketing, or Development Studies preferred. What We’re Looking For Strong outbound focus with a track record of developing lead generation through cold calling activities. Proven track record in partnerships, employer engagement, sales / business development, or youth placement. Strong relationship‑building and negotiation skills. Experience drafting and managing contracts. Knowledge of South Africa’s youth development and employability ecosystem. Familiarity with B‑BBEE Skills Development frameworks and the Yes4Youth initiative (advantage). Excellent communication and presentation skills. Passion for youth empowerment and employment creation. Why Join Us? Be part of a mission‑driven organisation transforming lives through youth employability. Work in an energetic, collaborative, and purpose‑driven team. Directly contribute to measurable impact by connecting young people to meaningful careers. Successful candidate may be required to perform other duties from time to time that are not included on this list but are necessary due to operational requirements. Application To apply, please email your CV (maximum 2 pages) and a motivation letter. EE candidates are highly preferable. If you do not have heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please know that your application has been unsuccessful. Job Details Job Type : Full‑time Pay : R Application Deadline : 05/09 (year unspecified) Location : In person Application Question: Strong outbound focus – do you have the ability to cold call? #J-18808-Ljbffr