Job Description

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Organisation:

Embark in Knowledge (EIK)

Location:

Cape Town, South Africa

About EIK

Embark in Knowledge (EIK) is a bold, future-focused NGO dedicated to advancing STEAMI (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics & Innovation) enrichment and enhancement, alongside youth, health, and wellness programmes in underserved communities. Supported by the Hasso Plattner Foundation (HPF), EIK has a unique opportunity to become a global innovator in its field by building world-class science centres, pioneering educational models, and driving measurable impact for disadvantaged youth.

At its core, EIK operates under the Donation of Funds Agreement (DoFA) with HPF, which acts as the governing framework for its activities. The Managing Director (MD) must both respect this framework and leverage it to innovate, ensuring EIK achieves excellence and positions itself as an international benchmark organisation.

Position Overview

The Managing Director is the chief executive of EIK, accountable for delivering the organisation's contractual commitments, scaling its footprint, and realising its long-term vision. This role demands visionary leadership, operational excellence, systems thinking, and deep expertise in STEAMI and innovation.

The MD will not only oversee EIK's current operations but also develop and grow the organisationinto a globally recognised leader in science enrichment, youth empowerment, and community transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Visionary Leadership

Recognise and harness the extraordinary opportunity afforded by HPF's support. Formulate a long-term vision and bold strategy for EIK to become an international reference point in STEAMI-driven youth and education initiatives. Drive EIK's expansion into multiple Youth & Science Centres across the Western Cape and beyond. Ensure science centres are developed to state of the art standards, with world-class exhibiting and programming.

Operational & Organisational Excellence

Establish a cadence of operational efficiency, ensuring scalability without compromising quality. Build robust systems, policies, and processes to align organisational performance with DoFA deliverables. Integrate STEAMI programmes with health, wellness, and youth initiatives to ensure holistic impact. Champion innovation in organisational design, educational practices, and community engagement.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management

Cultivate strategic relationships with provincial and national education departments, academic institutions, private sector partners, and global networks. Represent EIK as a leading voice in STEAMI and youth development internationally. Work closely with HPF and the Board of Directors to ensure transparency, compliance, and accountability.

Fundraising & Resource Mobilisation

Maximise the potential of existing HPF support while identifying new opportunities for funding and partnerships. Secure resources to expand infrastructure and sustain programmes.

Innovation & Systems Thinking

Maintain an integrated logic between STEAMI content, health and youth programmes, and innovations in technology, tertiary education, and workplace readiness. Ensure alignment of EIK's programmes with global trends in education, science, and innovation.

Qualifications & Experience

Advanced degree in a STEAMI discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, Innovation), or equivalent experience 10+ years of senior leadership experience, ideally combining roles in both tertiary academia and private industry Proven track record of building organisations, science centres, or large-scale educational initiatives is preferable Demonstrated expertise in innovation, technology development, and/or educational reform Experience in managing partnerships with funders, government, and academic institutions.

Key Skills & Competencies

Imagination and Visionary Thinking:

Ability to design and pursue bold, transformative goals.

Systems Thinking:

Skill in integrating programmes, infrastructure, and strategy into a cohesive whole.

Operational Acumen:

Strong capacity for building processes, scaling organisations, and ensuring compliance.

Strategic Leadership:

Capacity to position EIK as an international benchmark.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Exceptional ability to manage high-level relationships with funders, government, academia, and industry.

Passion & Drive:

Deep commitment to STEAMI, education, youth development, and community transformation.
To apply, please email your CV and a short cover letter to

camilla@spacafrica.org

with the subject line: "Application for EIK Managing Director".

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person