Creative Economy Business Development Specialist Full Time

Role Summary:
ALX Africa is seeking a senior Business Development Specialist to drive revenue growth across our Creative Economy initiatives, with a specific focus on capacity building and IP  monetization opportunities.

This role is designed for a seasoned commercial leader with a proven track record of securing grant funding, corporate training partnerships, and large-scale upskilling programmes, alongside unlocking opportunities within the creator and creative industries ecosystem.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of where demand exists in the current market — from development finance and donor-funded programmes, to corporate capability building, to creator economy upskilling pipelines — and the ability to translate these into structured, revenue-generating partnerships.

In parallel, the role will support the growth of our media and content production company, identifying opportunities for production, branded content, and industry collaborations that create both commercial value and real-world opportunities for ALX talent.

This is a hybrid role spanning business development, partnership structuring, and account leadership, requiring someone who can originate deals and ensure they are delivered with excellence.

Specific Responsibilities

•  Identify, develop, and secure revenue opportunities within the creative sector, spanning:
• Grant-funded capacity building programmes (DFIs, foundations, public sector)
• Corporate training and creative talent development partnerships
• Creator economy and industry-led upskilling initiatives
• Lead the end-to-end deal lifecycle — from opportunity origination and proposal development to commercial structuring and contract negotiation.
• Position ALX as a leading capacity building provider for creative, digital talent, translating market demand into scalable, revenue-generating programmes.
• Build and manage a strong, strategic pipeline aligned to ALX’s Creative Economy priorities, with clear visibility on revenue opportunities and conversion.
• Unlock and structure partnerships through our media and content production company, including branded content, production, and industry collaborations.
• Own and grow key partner relationships, ensuring world-class client service, delivery excellence, and long-term account expansion.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure partnerships are executed effectively and deliver against both commercial and impact objectives.
• Track and report on pipeline health, revenue performance, and partnership outcomes, providing insights to inform strategy.
• Represent ALX across the creative industry, corporate, and donor ecosystem, strengthening our position as a partner of choice.

Skill Requirements – Essential

• 5–10+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or commercial strategy within the creative industries.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth through business development, including grants, corporate partnerships, and large-scale capacity-building or training programmes.
• Strong understanding of the creative and digital talent ecosystem, with insight into emerging opportunities within the creator economy and the impact of AI on content creation, distribution, and monetisation models.
• Demonstrated ability to originate, structure, and close complex, multi-stakeholder deals.
• Experience in client relationship management and service delivery, with a track record of ensuring high-quality programme execution.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to translate market opportunities into scalable and sustainable revenue streams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence at a senior level.
• Experience working across regional and/or global markets, with the ability to navigate diverse stakeholder environments.

Skill Requirements – Preferable

• Experience working with development finance institutions (DFIs), donors, or grant funding ecosystems, particularly within the creative or youth employment sectors.
• Established network across creative industries, media, and creator economy ecosystems (e.g. studios, platforms, agencies, collectives, or industry bodies).
• Experience designing or scaling capacity-building, workforce development, or talent pipeline programmes within the creative sector.
• Exposure to content production, media, or IP development, including an understanding of how creative outputs are commercialised and monetised.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and ensure high-quality delivery against timelines and objectives.
• Familiarity with African and Global market dynamics, with experience working across multiple regions or countries on the continent.
• Entrepreneurial or venture-building experience, particularly in creative, media, or platform-based businesses.
• High level of AI tool fluency (e.g. ChatGPT, automation, workflow tools) to drive operational efficiency, proposal development, and deal execution.

Person Specification/Attributes
Courage: Willingness to speak up, challenge the status quo, and embrace new challenges.
Humility: Openness to learning, seeking help when needed, and a focus on serving others.
Adventure: A passion for setting ambitious goals, tackling difficult tasks, and finding joy in the journey.
Initiative: Proactive problem-solving, a sense of ownership, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through challenges, and emerge stronger.
Commercial Acumen: Strong instinct for identifying opportunity, structuring deals, and driving revenue.
Relationship Intelligence: Builds trust quickly and sustains long-term, high-value partnerships.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: A builder with a strong sense of ownership, comfortable operating in ambiguity and creating structure where it doesn’t exist.
Hustle & Bias for Action: Willing to roll up their sleeves, move quickly, and do what it takes to get deals across the line in a lean team environment.
Communication Excellence: Clear, compelling, and confident communicator — able to influence senior stakeholders, articulate complex ideas simply, and represent ALX with credibility across diverse audiences.