Head of Social Enterprises at The Maa Trust

Role Purpose

• The Head of Social Enterprises will spearhead the strategic and operational oversight of the social enterprises within our non-profit organization based in Kenya, including beadwork and beekeeping. This role aims to not only drive the profitability and growth of the social enterprises but also to fulfill the non-profit's mission of creating sustainable, positive social impact within the local community, leveraging beadwork and beekeeping as vehicles for economic empowerment and community development.

Key roles and responsibilities:

• Market Development: Together with the Sales and Marketing Officer, identify and pursue opportunities to increase sales, both locally and internationally, fostering existing relationships and establishing new buyers and distribution networks.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive business strategies for the beadwork and beekeeping enterprises, aligning them with the organization's overall objectives and long-term vision.
• Operational Management: Provide leadership and guidance for day-to-day operations; stock and inventory management and sales to optimise efficiency and profitability.
• Production: Together with the Production Manager, oversee end-to-end production, streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and quality, and implementing systems that expand capacity and reduce costs while upholding ethical labour practices.
• New product development and innovation: Lead new product development-grounded in market trends, customer feedback, and traditional Maasai artistry-by collaborating with artisans and designers to create offerings that resonate locally and internationally, while identifying opportunities to expand product lines, add value, and innovate.
• Experiential Visits & Tourism Integration: Coordinate experiential visits for tourists to HQ and integrate production-center visits into camp itineraries, while also coordinating mobile beadwork shops to visit camps for on-site sales and engagement.
• Financial Oversight: Manage budgets, financial planning, and reporting for the social enterprises, ensuring fiscal responsibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainable growth. This includes developing and implementing strategies to ensure that the social enterprises become sustainable and self-financing.
• Impact Assessment: Together with the M&E Department, establish metrics and frameworks to measure the social, economic, and environmental impact of the enterprises, using data to drive continuous improvement and effectiveness.
• Capacity Building: Lead efforts to train and develop the skills of individuals involved in beadwork and beekeeping, ensuring empowerment and fostering entrepreneurship within the local community.
• Partnership Development: Forge strategic partnerships with relevant donor funding organizations, governmental bodies, and industry stakeholders to expand opportunities and support for the social enterprises.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with legal regulations, ethical standards, and environmental guidelines related to beadwork, beekeeping, and associated business practices.
• Reporting and Communication: Provide regular reports and updates to the organization's leadership and stakeholders, effectively communicating the progress, challenges, and future plans of the social enterprises.

Qualifications, Experience and Core Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Social Enterprise Management, Marketing, or related field. An MBA would be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in managing a business or social enterprise, preferably with a focus on production/manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, business development, and operational management, with a proven track record of successfully leading and growing business ventures.
• Strong financial literacy and budgeting skills, capable of managing budgets, analysing financial data, and making strategic financial decisions to ensure the sustainability and growth of the enterprises.
• Ability to identify market opportunities, develop marketing strategies, and establish sales channels for beadwork and honey-related products, both locally and potentially internationally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey the mission, progress, and impact of the social enterprises to stakeholders, donors, and the wider community.
• Effective leadership and management skills to motivate, guide, and inspire a team working within the social enterprises, fostering a positive and productive work environment.