Business Manager NGO Job SHOFCO

NGO Jobs. SHOFCO Jobs

Role Overview

The Business Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for building and running the operational backbone of Sankoré.

This role has full ownership of all non-academic functions including finance, operations, procurement, human resources, and compliance, and is accountable for ensuring the school runs efficiently, reliably, at a high standard, and is fully registered and in compliance with Ministry of Education standards.

As a pre-launch institution, this role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. The Business Manager will ensure the school is fully registered and meets all necessary requirements, design systems from the ground up while also ensuring day-to-day operations are delivered effectively. Must be technologically ambitious and excited about running a lean team in tandem with latest software and back end management systems.

This is not a coordination role. It is a leadership role for a school operator who can build, decide, and deliver. The Sankoré Business Manager will provide both sound and generative financial leadership and management in the context of a learning-focused organization e.g not only ‘do the books balance?ʼ (management) but also ‘are we using our resources in ways that have the greatest learning impact?ʼ (leadership).

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead all budgeting, forecasting, and short/medium/long-term financial planning.
• Establish and maintain strong financial controls and reporting systems including quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees.
• Prepare for, attend and inform all Board and Board Committee meetings as the lead representative of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Manage cash flow, cost structures, and financial sustainability
• Provide clear, timely financial insights to support leadership decisions
• Ensure financial discipline across all functions
• Identify and manage risks to the schoolʼs financial sustainability.

Operations & School Infrastructure

• Ensure the school is fully registered with the Ministry of Education and meets all necessary requirements
• Oversee all day-to-day school operations, including facilities, transport, security, extra curricular vendors, and campus services – this includes from establishment to ongoing maintenance
• Ensure the school environment is safe, functional, and consistently high-quality
• Anticipate and resolve operational issues proactively
• Support infrastructure planning as the school grows

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Design and implement procurement systems and policies in tandem with the existing SHOFCO team
• Identify, negotiate, and manage suppliers and service providers
• Ensure strong cost control, transparency, and value for money
• Oversee asset and inventory management

Human Resources (Non-Academic)

• Recruit, manage, and develop administrative and support staff including performance expectations
• Oversee contracts, payroll, and HR compliance, in tandem with existing SHOFCO team
• Build a culture of accountability and professionalism across support functions

Compliance, Risk & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with Kenyan regulatory requirements and school standards
• Lead health, safety, and risk management systems
• Manage audits, insurance, and statutory obligations
• Maintain strong governance and reporting practices

Systems Building & Institutional Development

• Design and implement core systems across finance, HR, procurement, and operations, in partnership with existing SHOFCO team
• Develop policies, processes, and tools required for a high-functioning school
• Build structures that will scale as the school grows
• Translate leadership priorities into operational execution

Team Leadership

• Directly manage a small but growing operations team (2–5 associates initially)
• Build team capacity and structure as the school expands
• Ensure strong performance, accountability, and clarity across all roles

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 5–10+ years in operations, finance, or general management roles
• Prior experience in a top private or international school in Kenya is required
• Prior experience in launching a new school is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience building systems, processes, and teams—not just managing them
• Experience operating in complex, multi-function environments (finance, HR, operations, procurement)
• Strong familiarity with Kenyan regulatory, vendor, and operational contexts

Core Capabilities

• Strong financial management and analytical capability (non-negotiable)
• Ability to build systems from the ground up and make them work in practice
• Decisive operator who can prioritize and execute in a fast-moving environment
• Strong procurement and commercial judgment
• Ability to manage people and hold teams accountable
• High attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture

How to Apply

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter including responses to the below questions to recruitment@sankoreinternational.com The subject of your email should be: Your name, Business Manager Application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline for application: Thursday 30th April 2026.

• Which skills and past experiences make you suitable for this role?
• What are your areas of strength and growth?
• What is your biggest motivation for applying to this role?
• What is your expected salary?