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Project Portfolio Manager

Project Portfolio Manager

Enko EducationSalida, CA, US
4 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Project Portfolio Manager

At Enko Education, we believe that education can transform lives and contribute to emerging a new generation of African leaders. Present in 10 countries, we build a network of international schools that offer young Africans access to the best universities, without losing their local anchor.

In the context of our strong growth and to replace a key position within the team, we are looking for a Project Portfolio Manager to lead complex projects with a high impact : opening new schools, relocations, post-acquisition integration, etc.

You have led ambitious transformation projects in complex multicultural contexts, with rigor and impact. Project management methodologies are no longer a secret to you, and you know how to adapt them with discernment according to the realities of the field. Comfortable with digital tools, you bring structure, clarity, and efficiency in the follow-up of your projects.

Rallying a team around a common objective, managing resistance to change or even tactfully dialoguing with varied interlocutors is part of your daily routine. With a strong relational intelligence, you navigate with ease between cultures and local dynamics, with a proven ability to adapt on the ground. Significant experience in Africa or a real familiarity with its educational and institutional contexts allows you to quickly understand local issues and gain the necessary legitimacy with our main stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership of Strategic Growth Projects

  • Supervise all Large Projects (launch of new school, relocation, opening of a new section), respecting the commitments of deadlines, budget, quality, and expected impact (new enrollments).
  • Lead integration projects of newly acquired schools, defining a clear vision for each project, involving the DRIs and Exco, and ensuring a high level of engagement of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop plans, follow budgets, coordinate stakeholders, and animate steering committees.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPI) related to project execution, quality, and results (retention rate, enrollment rate, compliance with the Operating Manual, etc.).

2. Leadership of the School Launchers Team

  • Recruit, train, support, and supervise the members of the School Launchers team.
  • Ensure an optimal distribution of human resources on active projects and anticipate future needs.
  • Ensure the follow-up of the Expansion team budget (including the invoicing of services to internal or external clients).
  • Animate team rituals (weekly meetings, monthly meetings, etc.) and foster a dynamic of collaboration.

    • 3. Involvement in Cross-Functional or Ad Hoc Projects

  • Conduct feasibility studies for internal projects or external partners (including responding to calls for tenders).
  • Contribute to due diligence missions in the context of acquisition projects, in conjunction with the M&A team.

    • Ideal candidate

    We are looking for a strategic and operational leader, with solid experience in leading complex projects involving multiple stakeholders in Africa. You have already led transformation projects in demanding multicultural environments, ideally in the education, consulting, or NGO sectors. You master project management methodologies (Agile, PMP, etc.) and preferably have experience in post-acquisition integration. Mastery of French and English is indispensable.

    As an ideal candidate, you demonstrate :

  • Excellence in project management : You have at least 6 to 8 years of experience in leading complex and multi-site projects, from conception to execution. You are rigorous, results-oriented, and comfortable with digital tools like Asana to ensure follow-up and impact.
  • Inspiring leadership : You naturally create links, generate engagement around a shared vision, and mobilize teams in contexts of change and uncertainty.
  • Mastery of change management : You accompany transformations with empathy, tact, and an excellent reading of interpersonal dynamics. You have the reflex to ask : "What does each person have to gain from changing?" and you adapt your communication accordingly.
  • Analytical mind : You think in terms of systems and processes, quickly identify friction points, and propose durable and efficient improvements.
  • Operational agility : You navigate with ease between strategic vision and concrete problem-solving. Assertive but pragmatic, you know when to adapt solutions and when to standardize.
  • Mastery of African contexts : You have significant professional experience on the continent and an intercultural intelligence that allows you to dialogue with varied interlocutors from school founders to operational teams.

    • Contract, location, and timing

  • Contract : Full-time
  • Location : Flexible in Africa
  • Timing : Q3 2025
  • All applicants must be legally able to work in our countries with the correct visa / status / work permit.

    • Enko Education is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce, and valuing difference.

    Enko Education schools are committed to child safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people and expect all staff, volunteers, and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment checks will be undertaken.

    What's next

  • A fit interview to get to know you better, give you visibility on the job, and confirm the reciprocal match.
  • A case study to test your analytical & financial modeling skills.
  • A skill interview to discuss your hard and soft skills.
  • A career interview to review your education and past experiences.
  • A final interview.
  • Welcome to Enko!

    • Working at Enko Education - some reasons to join us

  • The ultimately meaningful mission with a direct impact on the most important challenge faced by the continent.
  • A unique ambition for scale.
  • An exceptional perspective to learn and develop professionally in a fast-growing company.
  • A strong and value-driven team, combining high competency and heart at the right place.
  • A challenging environment driving personal growth.
  • A true autonomy (including a flexible remote policy).

    • About Enko Education

    Enko Education is a fast-growing group of African international schools, increasing access to the world's best universities for learners across Africa.

    Enko Education has developed innovative programs leading to globally recognized and sought-after qualifications. Since the opening of its first school in Yaound in September 2014, Enko Education has established an African group of 15 international schools in 10 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 7,000 students from primary to secondary benefit from international education at a fraction of the cost charged by other international schools on the continent. We provide individualized counseling to our learners to support them in selecting the right universities and then securing both admission and financing for their studies. We offer an outstanding learning experience striving to educate our learners with Africa at heart and the world in mind.

    The Enko Education model has already yielded outstanding results with graduates currently enrolled in some of the most prestigious universities worldwide such as Yale College in the USA, Sciences Po and Ecole Polytechnique in France, and the University of Toronto in Canada.

    We are financially supported by international development institutions and funds including Proparco, I&P, Adiwale, BIO Invest, Oiko Credit, and Liquid Africa, to achieve our growth objective of reaching 20,000 students by 2028.

    For 2025, we plan to acquire new schools in countries including but not limited to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and South Africa (countries are subject to change).

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