The Head of Programmes is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring quality and consistency across all Proteus project work. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with project managers, analysts, and partners, the Head of Programmes ensures that projects are effectively staffed, aligned to our standards of excellence, and delivered on time and on budget.

In addition to oversight and management, this role requires the Head of Programmes to contribute direct technical input, particularly in the area of data analysis, across selected projects.

Leadership & Strategic Oversight

• Oversee end-to-end project resourcing, ensuring alignment of talent to project needs, timelines, and budgets
• Provide strategic oversight of all live projects, including risk anticipation, milestone tracking, and resolution of delivery bottlenecks
• Lead quarterly delivery reviews, working with the CEO to assess project health, client satisfaction, and team capacity
• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO on organisational planning, vertical structuring, and firm-wide learning
• Contribute to quarterly and annual strategy sessions, supporting operational alignment to Big Rocks and growth milestones

Quality Assurance & Delivery Excellence

• Establish and enforce project delivery standards, QA protocols, templates, and delivery checklists
• Review, sign off, or escalate final deliverables to ensure they meet Proteus’ standards of rigour, clarity, and insight
• Lead internal learning loops (e.g., post-project retros, peer reviews) and integrate feedback into delivery tools
• Track delivery quality KPIs and compile quarterly insights reports for management

People Leadership & Team Development

• Proven ability to manage and mentor multi-disciplinary teams (analysts, project managers, consultants), including building staff capacity and onboarding new hires.
• Facilitate skills audits, team development plans, and targeted mentorship aligned to career growth paths
• Lead internal onboarding and induction processes for new hires and associates
• Contribute to building a values-aligned culture that encourages initiative, excellence, and continuous improvement

Internal Systems & Performance Management

• Maintain and update the project tracker, pipeline forecasting tools, and staff utilisation dashboards
• Coordinate with the Operations Associate to ensure delivery reporting integrates with budgeting and compliance systems
• Lead the development of the internal KPI dashboard to track team productivity, project delivery timelines, and client feedback
• Review resourcing patterns monthly to inform future hiring or associate allocation needs

Proposal Strategy & Business Development

• Lead the technical and strategic development of high-priority proposals, ensuring alignment with Proteus’ service offerings and market positioning.
• Maintain a holistic view of the proposal pipeline (by sector, service line, geography) to guide firmwide strategy.
• Monitor win/loss trends and conduct quarterly proposal reviews to drive continuous improvement.

Product Development & Innovation Support

• Partner with the CEO and product team during the MVP stage to translate delivery insights into scalable solutions.
• Drive adoption of pilot innovation tools and capture/document user feedback.
• Establish QA frameworks and implementation protocols to support product rollout.
• Participate in innovation pipeline reviews to align with Proteus’ research strengths and delivery goals.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Assist consultants and project leads in preparing for client engagements and presentations.
• Monitor client satisfaction and facilitate quarterly check-ins where appropriate.
• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding of consultants in collaboration with the Operations team.

Leadership and Management Experience

• 15+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 in a senior programme leadership role in consulting, development, or education strategy environments.
• Strong background in project management, strategic planning, and quality assurance
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing teams
• Track record of successfully managing multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex insights
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and project management tools; familiarity with Monday.com is advantageous
• Deep experience in the South African education, development, or public sector is essential

Technical Experience

• Strong technical skills in data analysis, interpretation, and communication of findings
• Experience working as a senior data analyst or equivalent role in consulting, research, or development
• Experience designing and operationalizing dashboards, QA frameworks, and data systems that support decision-making.
• Proficiency in one or more data analysis software environments (e.g., Python, R, STATA, SQL)

Core benefits

• A purpose-driven environment where your work underpins national systems change.
• A culture of clarity, collaboration, and respect — where your voice matters.
• 20 working days of paid annual leave, plus a fully paid office closure between
• Christmas and New Year (not deducted from leave).
• Sick leave in line with BCEA (30 days over a 36-month cycle).
• 10% employer contribution to a retirement annuity (included in TCTC).
• Professional Development Fund: Annual fund for training, conferences, and certifications.
• Hybrid working model: 2–3 days per week in our Cape Town office, remainder remote.

Fringe Benefits

• Annual Takealot voucher for home office/data/utilities.
• Monthly wellness allowance.
• Proteus Library Fund: Annual shared budget for team-selected books, creating a growing in-office resource accessible to all staff.
• Monthly Learning Lunches to share insights, tools, and skills over lunch.
• Birthday Leave: One paid day off in your birthday month.
• Volunteer Leave: 1–2 paid days/year to support education or community initiatives.
• Annual CSI Dragon’s Den competition where staff pitch a corporate social investment project — Proteus funds the winning idea.
• Annual retreat (staff + associates) with a high-quality gift hamper.
• Annual PD week for the core team.