Introduction

The Sales Manager: School Leaver Students is responsible for developing and implementing student recruitment strategies targeting learners in Grades 10–12, gap-year students and recent matriculants. The role focuses on achieving enrolment targets, building school relationships, managing campus sales teams and improving recruitment performance.

Duties & Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Sales Strategy and Recruitment Planning

• Develop and implement an annual school-leaver recruitment strategy.
• Identify target learner groups and recruitment opportunities.
• Develop recruitment campaigns and sales plans to achieve enrolment targets.
• Allocate targets across campuses, managers and sales consultants.
• Monitor market trends and competitor offerings.
• Work with marketing and academic teams to ensure programme information and recruitment messaging are accurate.

School Relationships and Business Development

• Build and maintain relationships with school principals, teachers, career counsellors, parents and community organisations.
• Identify and prioritise schools for recruitment activities.
• Arrange career talks, school visits, workshops, campus visits and parent information sessions.
• Coordinate school expos, career fairs and other recruitment events.
• Maintain regular communication with schools and follow up on potential recruitment opportunities.
• Ensure school relationships and activities are recorded on the CRM system.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, manage, coach and support Campus Sales Managers.
• Set performance targets and key performance indicators.
• Conduct regular performance meetings and reviews.
• Monitor sales consultant productivity and recruitment performance.
• Identify training needs and support employee development.
• Assist with recruitment, selection and onboarding.
• Ensure managers address performance issues and implement corrective actions where required.

Sales Performance and Reporting

• Monitor leads, applications, registration fee payments and enrolments.
• Track conversion rates and performance against targets.
• Review weekly sales reports from campus managers.
• Ensure CRM and student information is accurate and up to date.
• Identify recruitment challenges and recommend solutions.
• Review commission and bonus claims against approved criteria.
• Report on sales performance, recruitment activities and opportunities for growth.

Internal Collaboration and Compliance

• Work with marketing teams to coordinate recruitment campaigns, events and promotional materials.
• Collaborate with campus management and student administration to improve the student recruitment process.
• Work with finance teams on fees, payment plans and relevant funding options.
• Ensure recruitment communications accurately reflect programme details, entry requirements, fees and outcomes.
• Ensure learner and parent information is handled appropriately and in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.
• Ensure recruitment activities follow relevant school-engagement requirements and ethical recruitment practices.

Desired Experience & Qualification

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree (NQF Level 7) in Marketing, Business, Education or a related field.
• A postgraduate qualification will be advantageous.
• At least 5 years of sales or student recruitment experience.
• At least 3 years of experience managing managers or multi-site teams.
• Experience in higher education, school recruitment or youth-focused sales will be advantageous.
• Proven track record of achieving sales or enrolment targets.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Willingness to travel regularly between campuses and locations.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong networking and presentation abilities.
• Strategic planning and sales management skills.
• Leadership, coaching and performance management.
• Strong analytical and reporting abilities.
• Ability to monitor sales pipelines and improve conversion rates.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Integrity, resilience and a learner-focused approach.

Package & Remuneration

Market Related