This position can be based in any of our key hubs across Africa with a strong preference for our Head Office in Johannesburg. It involves frequent travel across our network.
Enko Education is at a defining moment in its journey; as we continue to broaden our Pan-African footprint our strategic focus is shifting toward deep operational transformation: the realization of the African International School of Choice (AISoC). Our ambition is to ensure that every school in our portfolio becomes the undisputed leader in its community - a place where academic excellence and operational profitability coexist in a delicate high-impact equilibrium.
To bridge this gap and fulfill our mission of providing African learners access to the best universities we are seeking a seasoned Chief School Officer (CSO) to join our Executive Committee. Reporting directly to the CEO you will be the architect of our schools transformation driving the Enko Model to ensure our growth is predictable reproducible and synonymous with world-class quality.
Your Profile: a High-Stakes Coach
You are a rare breed of leader who marries the surgical execution of a COO with the high emotional intelligence required to lead educators through profound transformation. Your career in multi-site management - whether in Education premium Retail or high-end Services - demonstrates a mastery of driving a Group Playbook while empowering local leadership to excel.
Thriving as a disciplined intrapreneur you would navigate the Enko Model with a knack for creative low-cost problem-solving that never compromises the blueprint. You possess an innate ability for relentless prioritization instinctively filtering out the noise to protect the main thing. Rather than leading by decree you secure buy-in through influential narrative building stepping into the shoes of your team members to turn systemic change into a shared mission.
People describe you as a People Developer to the core; you diagnose performance gaps with precision and foster a culture where unwavering accountability meets psychological safety. Moving fluidly between English and French you bridge the gap between international standards and local context ensuring our vision resonates deeply with every stakeholder across our diverse African network.
As CSO you will leverage four Strategic Pillars to deliver the Group Business Plan:
To succeed in this role and thrive within the Enko culture you will need to demonstrate a unique blend of operational rigor and high-level leadership. Specifically we are looking for the following core competencies:
Joining Enko means taking a seat at the table of an ambitious educational project in Africa. We offer a high-autonomy environment where disciplined intrapreneurship is celebrated. You will work within a committed Executive Committee and lead a team of independent-minded school leaders all driven by the same purpose: giving African learners the wings to fly. This is a unique opportunity to shape the governance and operational landscape of a fast-growing group that is literally changing the trajectory of thousands of young lives.
(English version)
Equal Opportunities & Safer Recruitment
Enko Education is an equal opportunities employer committed to inclusivity diversity and valuing difference. Enko Education schools are committed to child safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people and we expect all staff volunteers and third parties to share this commitment. Our safer recruitment practices aim to ensure that only individuals committed to child safeguarding join our schools. You can read our Safer Recruitment Statement here.
About Enko Education
International education with Africa at heart and the world in mind.
Enko Education is a fast-growing network of 15 international schools in 10 African countries offering international education with Africa at heart and the world in mind. Our mission is to make high-quality international education accessible to more African learners and to guide them towards the worlds best universities through innovative programmes leading to globally recognised qualifications.
Since 2014 Enko Education has helped thousands of students secure admission to top universities such as Yale College Sciences Po École Polytechnique and the University of Toronto. Backed by leading development finance institutions and funds including Proparco I&P Adiwale BIO Invest Oiko Credit and Liquid Africa we are on track to reach 20000 students by 2028.
Learn more on our website.
(French version)
Égalité des chances & Recrutement sécurisé
Enko Education est un employeur qui respecte légalité des chances attaché à linclusion à la diversité et à la valorisation des différences. Les écoles Enko Education sengagent à protéger les enfants et à promouvoir le bien-être des élèves et des jeunes et attendent de lensemble du personnel des bénévoles et des tiers quils partagent cet engagement. Nos pratiques de recrutement sécurisé visent à garantir que seules les personnes partageant notre engagement rejoignent nos écoles. Vous pouvez consulter notre Déclaration sur le recrutement sécurisé ici.
À propos dEnko Education
Une éducation internationale avec lAfrique au cœur et le monde en perspective.
Enko Education est un réseau en pleine croissance de 15 écoles internationales dans 10 pays dAfrique offrant une éducation internationale de qualité à un coût accessible. Notre mission est de faciliter laccès des apprenants africains aux meilleures universités du monde grâce à des programmes innovants menant à des diplômes mondialement reconnus.
Depuis 2014 nous avons accompagné des milliers délèves vers des universités de premier plan telles que Yale College Sciences Po lÉcole Polytechnique ou encore lUniversité de Toronto. Avec le soutien dinstitutions financières de développement et de fonds tels que Proparco I&P Adiwale BIO Invest Oiko Credit et Liquid Africa nous visons à scolariser 20 000 élèves dici 2028.
Pour en savoir plus visitez notre site internet.
Required Experience:
Chief
Enko Education is the largest International school network in Africa. Our ambition is embodied by our teams and reflected in all our schools.