Business & Partnerships Manager

22 on Sloane is the largest startup campus and entrepreneurial hub in Africa, committed to fostering innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and the development of SMEs. With our flagship campus in Bryanston, Johannesburg, we've expanded our footprint to Green Point, Cape Town, where we will continue to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and nurture the growth of startups and SMEs.

Job Overview:

The Business & Partnerships Manager is responsible for leading strategic business development initiatives, developing high-impact partnerships, and driving ecosystem engagement to support the growth and sustainability of 22 On Sloane. This role involves overseeing business development, partnership strategy, managing key stakeholder relationships, hub management, programme management, expanding the 22 on Sloane's reach, visibility, & impact across the entrepreneurial landscape, and ensuring alignment between business development, programmes, marketing, and ecosystem-building efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development & Growth Strategy

• Identify and pursue new revenue streams through partnerships, sponsorships, and strategic collaborations.
• Lead the development and execution of growth strategies to achieve financial and strategic targets.
• Oversee proposal development and pitches for strategic partnerships and sponsorships.
• Explore opportunities to commercialize the hub's offerings and drive sustainability.

Partnerships Development & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with private and public sector partners.
• Negotiate and finalize partnership agreements, sponsorships, and collaborations.
• Conduct quarterly partnership reviews and ensure partner satisfaction.
• Represent 22 on Sloane at key platforms, events, and strategic meetings.
• Maintain stakeholder communication and compile a business unit risk register
• Drive engagement with alumni and broader innovation networks

Ecosystem Building

• Design and implement initiatives that strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Facilitate collaboration between startups, SMEs, corporates, and government entities.
• Organize ecosystem events, workshops, and networking sessions.
• Leverage local and regional networks to enhance visibility and impact.

Programmes & Incubation Management

• Design and implement comprehensive programmes to support the growth and development of startups and SMMEs, and the various skills programmes.
• Oversee the full incubation lifecycle from startup selection to graduation, ensuring the delivery of high-quality mentorship, guidance, and resources.
• Develop strategies to attract high-potential, diverse cohorts and build strong relationships with programme partners to foster innovation and collaboration.

Marketing and Visibility

• Work with marketing teams to ensure brand alignment with business goals and design campaigns that support BP objectives.
• Guide the development of communication materials for strategic initiatives.
• Oversee joint campaigns and ensure consistent messaging across platforms.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Provide reports on business development and partnership outcomes.
• Provide recommendations based on data insights and partner feedback

Hub Operations & Facilities Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the hub (property sales, facilities, IT, events, and cafe) to ensure an excellent tenant and stakeholder experience.
• Manage facilities, including offices, event spaces, cafe, boardrooms, and shared infrastructure.
• Work closely with the facilities and operations team to ensure health, safety, and compliance standards are met.
• Support leasing, space optimization, and operational efficiency to ensure the hub runs seamlessly.
• Ensure cross-team collaboration to deliver high-quality events and campus activities.

People Management

• Lead a small team and foster a supportive, inclusive work environment
• Communicate effectively and support staff development
• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and high-performance work environment.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, in office Monday to Friday.
• Occasional evenings and weekends required for events and ecosystem engagements.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, or a related field (master's degree is a plus)
• Proven track record of securing strategic partnerships and driving growth.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in business development, partnership building, ecosystem building, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and revenue generation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Project Management qualification (advantageous)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and basic computer skills

Key Attributes & Competencies:

• Strong understanding of the startup and SMME lifecycle and challenges faced by early-stage tech companies
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Adaptability and resilience
• Innovation and continuous improvement