About ALA

Since 2008, African Leadership Academy (ALA) has sought to identify, develop and connect the most promising young leaders on the African continent. Our learning community serves 260 young leaders aged 16-19. Students spend two years at the academy engaging with the knowledge, skills, habits and mindsets that will accelerate their trajectories of ethical and effective leadership. ALA is a learning community committed to leadership development through authentic practice, academic rigor and intentional community. ALA also seeks to become a learning organisation, invested in deliberate, continuous improvement.

Job Purpose:

As the Head of the Entrepreneurial Leadership (EL) Department, you will:

• Set a clear and compelling vision for Entrepreneurial Leadership (EL) learning that aligns with the Academy’s strategic priorities.
• Lead and manage a talented teaching team delivering the EL program.
• Oversee the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of a transformational curriculum rooted in critical inquiry, design thinking, and experiential learning.
• Ensure effective management of delivery of key departmental programs and projects, such as the Student Enterprise Program, Build in a Box, and other core activities.
• Align departmental objectives with ALA’s strategic goals and ensure excellence in teaching and learning.
• Foster external partnerships and represent the Academy across various platforms.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and instructional leadership for the EL department.
• Supervise faculty performance, curriculum development, and program design.
• Manage the departmental budget and drive innovation within program delivery.
• Oversee co-curricular initiatives that support entrepreneurial leadership learning across the curriculum and beyond the school, such as the iOID grant program.
• Build and maintain relationships with alumni, external partners, and program funders.
• Collaborate with other Heads of Department to align practice and drive whole-school priorities.
• Continuously measure, evaluate, and report on the impact of departmental programs while designing and implementing tools to assess and continuously enhance learning outcomes.

Person Specification:

Behaviours

• Demonstrated leadership experience within an academic environment.
• Strong instructional leadership, curriculum development, and assessment skills.
• Demonstrated a passion for empowering young leaders through project-based and experiential learning.
• A deep understanding of Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystems and innovation sectors.
• A commitment to inclusive education and a positive, values-driven school culture.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent project and program management skills, with the ability to oversee complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage students, parents, colleagues, and external partners.
• A growth mindset, collaborative spirit, and comfort with dynamic environments.
• Strong digital literacy with the ability to effectively utilise educational technology to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
• A commitment to student well-being, safeguarding, and inclusive education.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree (Master’s preferred) and at least 5 years of teaching experience and 3 years of HoD/people management experience.
• Experience working in multicultural or international educational settings.
• Familiarity with the Cambridge curriculum or equivalent is desirable.
• Background in design thinking, innovation, or youth enterprise programs.

Location: ALA Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
Reporting to: Director of Teaching and Learning
Start Date: August 2025

Please note:

• African Leadership Academy reserves the right to make an appointment or withdraw this advertisement at its sole discretion.
• If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.