Community & Partnerships Manager

Transform Potential into Global Action: Become the Connection Point for Future Changemakers.

Location: Remote | Start Date: ASAP

🌎 BRING YOUR PASSION TO LIFE WHERE IT MATTERS MOST

You're a natural connector who sees every relationship as a path to greater impact. You thrive on turning strategic goals into measurable success, not for the sake of profit, but to fuel real-world conservation and education programs. You know the student community is ripe with potential, and you're ready to step up and own the strategy that mobilises them. 

You want a role where your ability to build trust, execute meticulous plans, and drive measurable bookings directly translates into empowering young people and supporting global sustainable development goals. You are the Hero we need to bridge the gap between passion and action.

✨ WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

As our Community & Partnerships Manager, you become the Guide's most crucial ally, securing the partnerships that feed the pipeline of global changemakers. Your success, measured directly by the growth in leads and bookings from university societies and external partners, directly fuels GVI’s ability to protect the planet and empower its people. This role isn't about maintaining the status quo; it's about pioneering and executing strategic growth initiatives that define our future impact.

🎯 WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Pioneer Growth: Identify, lead, and execute new strategic growth opportunities, translating commercial objectives into clear, actionable, end-to-end plans.
• Own Key Relationships: Take full ownership of our university society and student partnership strategy and execution to drive high-quality referrals and bookings.
• Serve as Account Leader: Act as the primary point of contact for external partners, managing relationships, ensuring high-value communication, and driving action plans to meet booking and conversion goals.
• Fuel Marketing Campaigns: Collaborate with the Marketing team by providing strategic direction and copy input to develop compelling content and collateral aligned with partner goals.
• Coordinate Impactful Events: Manage the planning and smooth logistical and technical delivery of promotional activities and events (virtual and in-person) at universities and across digital channels.
• Mentor and Coordinate: Work closely with the internal University team to drive overall growth in bookings and provide guidance/coordination support to junior team members involved in outreach activities.

🚀 WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Commercial Growth Driver: Proven experience in Account Management, Business Development, or Growth Initiatives, with a motivation to take independent ownership and drive measurable revenue.
• Relationship & Account Expert: Exceptional ability to manage complex partnerships end-to-end, serving as the primary relationship owner for high-value external partners.
• Community & Digital Strategist: Direct experience in Marketing Community Management, leveraging digital and in-person events for lead generation and brand visibility.
• Strategic Thinker: Proven capacity to translate commercial targets into clear, executable, and effective plans.
• Data-Driven Execution: Strong track record using CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) to track metrics, forecast conversions, and report on partnership results.
• Global Partnership Experience: Direct experience forming and managing commercial partnerships in key GVI markets (e.g., UK, US, EU, AU, ZA).
• Event and Digital Fluency: Proven experience planning and executing successful promotional events (physical campus events and large-scale digital campaigns).

Bonus if you also have:

• Higher Education Context: Experience working within or extensively engaging with the university education system or student-focused programs.
• Previous experience in the sustainable development, educational travel, or volunteering sector.
• Familiarity with marketing copywriting principles, especially for younger/student demographics.

🎉 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Basic salary of R28 000 – R35 000 (depending on experience).
• Generous leave policy 
• Opportunities for growth within a global organisation
• Flexible, collaborative, and fun culture
• Regular connection with our leadership team and CEO
• Access to in-house wellbeing support

🌱WORKING AT GVI

At GVI, we're driven by the desire to make a positive impact on our planet and its people. Our dedicated teams are actively working to address global challenges and together, we leverage a diverse set of specialised skills to pursue a shared vision: cultivating a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

Working at GVI is fast-paced and fun. You will join a community that values passion, authenticity and innovation, and where we treat each other with respect. But we can do better than words to show you who we are! To see what it's really like to work for GVI: 

🎥 Watch Here

📰 Read Here

👥 Meet the Team

You’ll also be joining a company driven by clear values:

🔍 Where there’s a why, there’s a way

🚀 Never settle

🎯 Own it

🌍 Stronger together

⚡ Forward without fear

🦋 Life-changing transformation

✨ Authentically ourselves

To learn more about our broader organisation, Second Nature, follow the link here! 

🔍 OUR HIRING PROCESS

1. Interview with People Team
2. Interview with your future manager
3. Practical skills assessment
4. Final interview with Senior Leadership
5. Background checks

✅ YOUR NEXT STEP

If you're ready to step into this critical role and be the person who fuels our global impact by building powerful communities and partnerships, we want to hear from you.

Please send us your CV and a short Cover Letter sharing why this role is the right fit for you.

Kindly note: We genuinely appreciate every application we receive. If you haven’t heard from us within 3–4 weeks, it likely means we’ve moved forward with other candidates this time. That said, we’d love for you to stay connected and consider applying again in the future!