Chief Executive Officer - Academy

Role Purpose

The Chief Executive Officer – Academy serves as the visionary leader responsible for steering the Academy toward sustainable growth, innovation, and market leadership. This pivotal role encompasses defining and executing the Academy’s strategic direction, identifying and capitalising on revenue-generating opportunities, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality learning solutions that align with organisational and market demands. The CEO will elevate the Academy’s reputation as a premier provider of learning and capability development by expanding its client base, forging strategic partnerships, developing commercially viable programmes, and maintaining robust financial and operational performance. The ideal candidate will combine strategic acumen with operational excellence to position the Academy as a trusted partner in workforce development and organisational transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

The CEO will develop and implement a dynamic short- and long-term strategy that aligns with the Group’s overarching objectives, translating the Academy’s vision into actionable commercial, academic, and operational plans. This includes identifying emerging market trends, capability gaps, and innovative learning opportunities to ensure the Academy remains at the forefront of the industry. The role demands exceptional leadership to cultivate a performance-driven, innovative, and customer-centric culture within the Academy team. Additionally, the CEO will present comprehensive business plans, performance updates, investment requirements, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, fostering transparency and accountability.

Business Growth and Commercial Development

Driving business growth is a core responsibility, requiring the CEO to lead proactive business development initiatives to acquire new corporate, government, and institutional clients. This involves building and managing a robust pipeline of commercial opportunities, partnerships, and strategic accounts while developing market-entry and expansion strategies for new sectors, customer segments, and geographical markets. The CEO will identify and leverage opportunities to commercialise the Academy’s expertise, facilities, content, trainers, and digital learning capabilities. This includes leading the preparation of commercial proposals, tenders, pricing models, service agreements, and client presentations, as well as negotiating and securing contracts, partnerships, and long-term learning agreements. Representing the Academy at industry events, conferences, and networking forums is essential to enhance visibility and forge meaningful relationships with government entities, universities, professional bodies, training providers, and private-sector organisations.

Programme and Product Development

The CEO will oversee the development of market-relevant training programmes, qualifications, certifications, and executive education solutions, ensuring they are commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with recognised quality standards. This includes introducing customised learning solutions tailored to client requirements and workforce capability needs, as well as expanding the Academy’s portfolio through classroom, field-based, blended, and digital learning solutions. The CEO will evaluate opportunities to introduce accredited programmes in partnership with local and international institutions and ensure continuous improvement of learning content, delivery methods, assessment tools, and learner experience to maintain the Academy’s competitive edge.

Financial and Operational Management

As the steward of the Academy’s financial health, the CEO will assume full accountability for revenue generation, profitability, budgeting, and cost management. This involves developing annual operating plans, revenue targets, and financial forecasts, as well as monitoring programme profitability, resource utilisation, pricing effectiveness, and return on investment. The CEO will ensure the effective utilisation of trainers, facilities, technology, and learning resources while establishing efficient policies, processes, systems, and governance frameworks. Additionally, the role requires managing operational risks and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, licensing requirements, and accreditation standards to uphold the Academy’s integrity and reputation.

Client and Stakeholder Management

The CEO will build and nurture trusted relationships with existing and prospective clients, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction, programme quality, and contract delivery. Collaboration with Group companies is critical to identify internal capability-development requirements and position the Academy as a strategic learning partner rather than merely a training provider. The CEO will establish mechanisms for collecting client feedback and measuring learning and business impact, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and client-centricity. Effective communication with shareholders, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders will further strengthen the Academy’s position in the market.