Watch our Vision Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOU0TYnNsZo

Take a tour of our Website: https://sparkschools.co.za/

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.

The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalized education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating 20 primary schools, 4 high schools and serving over 15,000 families in 2023. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

Purpose of Role:

The role will be responsible for the overall development of new leads and opportunities whilst providing strategic direction for driving new enrolments across the SPARK Schools Network. The key goal will include developing campaigns and analysing campaign effectiveness in collaboration with Academic Leaders, School Operations, Sales and the Marketing team.

The SPARK Schools Business Development Lead drives student achievement in the SPARK Schools network by ensuring that our schools are fully enrolled with committed local families. The Business Development Lead supports SPARK Schools by facilitating student recruitment and enrolment.

The Business Development Lead leadership in the SPARK Schools network is integral to the SPARK Schools Support mission to create systemic change in South African education.

Reports To: Customer Services Manager

Responsibilities:

• Seek new opportunities in targeted markets through research and analysis
• Developing internal reports detailing targets, lead generation, opportunities pipeline, progress and campaign success
• Devise, implement and manage a dedicated and ongoing sales plan per school
• Actively grow existing enrolment numbers, manage and report on new enrolments
• Answer calls from customers, parents, academic and school operations staff members with regards to all their queries and administrative requirements
• Update respective account information on Salesforce and other relevant platforms utilised in fulfilling the required tasks
• Provide quality information and clearly communicate with customers, parents, academic and school operations staff when interacting at open days, mall activations and any other forums
• Provide differentiated service based on the needs of the individual or business (including parent, academic and school operations staff)
• Effectively diagnose needs via phone, web chat, email and other available omni-channels
• Deliver relevant solutions that demonstrates understanding of the customers, parents, academic and school operations staff needs
• Be a strong brand ambassador who can deliver exceptional service to customers, parents, academic and school operations staff
• Deliver memorable positive experiences for every prospective parent and all internal and external stakeholders
• Accurately and confidently handle all customer, parent, academic and school operations staff enquiries using troubleshooting skills, effective communication, active listening and problem solving skills
• Act as a subject matter expert on all enrolment and admissions related processes and procedures
• Assist in liaising with leads or prospective parents and facilitate the setting up of meetings where required
• Actively engage leads (Expression of Interest) received within the required service levels to ensure the team achieves great conversion ratios
• Work directly with the Sales Team and Processing Team to ensure opportunities are converted and scholars are placed in their respective grades and schools timeously
• Pro-actively defuse problems or issues and provide feedback to the respective teams impacted or affected
• You will be tasked with enhancing customer satisfaction levels, loyalty, advocacy and positive word of mouth
• You will work closely with the Marketing, School Operations, Sales Team, Processing Team to immediately resolve service delivery failures
• Evaluate the effectiveness of our customer service and drive continuous process improvements and Salesforce enhancements to ensure customer satisfaction exceeds expected service levels
• Meet enrollment targets through various marketing and branding strategies.
• Build relationships in the communities where our schools are situated and engage families with pre-primary, primary (and high school as required) school-aged children in those communities.
• Participate in and drive own professional development
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK events.
• Promote the vision and mission of SPARK Schools Support to SPARK Schools Support staff and SPARK Schools staff, scholars, families, and the greater community.
• Ad Hoc tasks as required from time to time.

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Undergraduate Degree / Diploma (Essential)
• Customer Experience, or other related Customer Focused Training (Preferred)
• At least five years of experience in the field of meeting and exceeding sales targets.
• At least two years in a customer focused environment
• Valid driver’s license (Essential)

Additional Requirements:

• Own Car
• Must be willing to travel

Competencies:

• Customer orientation.
• Analysis/problem solving.
• Quick thinking/learning.
• Team work.
• Communication.

Values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness

SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Position Type: Permanent

Location: Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa

SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company’s Employment Equity goals and targets.

SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.