Business Development Associate- Maternity Cover

ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

The Grow Commercial division is responsible for driving revenue growth and expanding ALU's reach through strategic business development initiatives. We focus on identifying new opportunities, building strong partnerships, and ensuring the successful enrollment of participants into our various programs.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will be instrumental in supporting and driving conversions and enrollments for our Executive Education’s Open Programs, contributing directly to ALU's mission of developing future African leaders. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in business development within a fast-paced, innovative educational environment.

Role summary

The Business Development Associate will play a crucial role in the entire sales funnel for ALU's Executive Education Open Programs, from lead nurturing and engagement to conversion and enrollment. You will work closely with the Director of Business Development and collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, ALUSB (ALU School of Business), and Technology to optimize our sales processes and achieve ambitious enrollment targets.

Lead nurturing and engagement

• Proactively engage with prospective students through various channels (email, phone, LinkedIn, webinars) to understand their needs and articulate the value proposition of Open Programs.
• Maintain regular communication with leads, providing relevant information,answering queries, and addressing concerns to guide them through the decision-making process.
• Develop and implement creative strategies to re-engage dormant leads.

Conversion and Enrollment Support

• Actively engage the pipeline by converting qualified leads into enrolled participants
• Assist with the application process, guiding prospective students through each step and providing necessary support
• Follow up on applications to ensure completion and timely submission
• Track and report on conversion rates, identifying areas for improvement.

Market research and analysis 

• Provide insights into customer needs and preferences to inform program development and marketing strategies.
• Contribute to the analysis of sales data to identify opportunities for growth and optimization.

Collaborative workstreams

• Marketing: Work closely with the marketing team to ensure alignment between lead generation efforts and sales strategies. Provide feedback on marketing campaigns and content effectiveness.
• ALUSB: Collaborate with the ALUSB team to understand program specifics, unique selling propositions, and target audiences for various open programs.
• Technology: Utilize CRM and other sales enablement tools effectively to manage leads, track progress, and generate reports. Provide feedback on tool enhancements to the Technology team.

Reporting and Administration

•  Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all interactions and sales activities in the CRM system.
• Prepare regular reports on sales performance, lead status, and conversion rates for the Director of Business Development. 
• Assist with administrative tasks related to business development as required.

• Bachelor's degree in any relevant field
• 3+ years of experience in sales, business development, lead generation, or a similar client-facing role, preferably in the education or tech sector.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed targets 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills (written and verbal).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in using CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) and Google Suite
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred attributes

• Experience with a blended learning or online education model.
• Understanding of the African market and its unique educational landscape.
• Proactive and results-oriented with a strong sense of ownership.
• Ability to adapt quickly to change and thrive in an agile environment.
• Naturally curious with a continuous learning mindset.

What We Offer

• An exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative organization shaping the future of African Leadership.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment with a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Exposure to a diverse range of stakeholders and opportunities for professional growth.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• The chance to make a tangible impact on the lives of aspiring leaders across Africa.

Location: Kigali, Rwanda (or remote within Africa, with preference for Kigali)