PURPOSE:

This position leads and manages the Partnership & Placement department of PSDF; Formulates, develops and implements strategies and tactical plans that bring employer leadership in the development and execution of its training programs; Lead the development of a network of placement service providers; Sets and implements business development initiatives; Cultivates,  fosters and maintains strategic partnerships with leading employers of vocational skills in Pakistan and overseas; Develops skill training programs according to short and long term recruitment requirements and seek guaranteed employment outcomes for PSDF graduates; The function also includes developing, rolling out, executing and monitoring a comprehensive network of placement service providers across Punjab, Pakistan and overseas. These responsibilities are carried out WITH the objective to successfully engage leading employers into PSDF’s P&P initiative and optimally achieve allocated P&P targets WITHIN the limits of established company policies and procedures, departmental objectives, directions/guidelines from CEO, Labor & Employment Laws of Pakistan, Labor Laws of GCC, Project Scope and Partner’s requirements.

COMMUNICATION

External

Employers (National & International): Frequently interacts to establish relations with Senior Management of potential employers (National & International), promotes PSDF’s profile, educates about advantages and persuades for working with PSDF. Understands detailed requirements and briefs about PSDF’s trainings, discusses potential partnership avenues. Convinces and negotiates partnership terms inclusive of training cost, partnership model and training schematics. Finalizes contractual terms & conditions as approved by Management, coordinates and facilitates for resolution of queries.

The communication challenge for this position is to convince potential employers for working with PSDF (Partnership & Placement) thus this position requires position holder effectively pitch optimal value propositions to persuade and convince employers. This position also requires close coordination with external stakeholders.

Placement Service Providers (PSPs): Regularly interacts to establish relations with Senior Management of PSPs, promotes PSDF’s profile, educates about advantages of working with PSDF. Understands capacity & capability of PSPs, discusses and finalizes deal structure and contractual terms. Communicates periodic cluster-wise placement targets. Understands areas of improvement and suggests measure for performance improvements. Discusses incentive plans for PSP’s and negotiates terms for mitigation of contention points.

External

Program Design: Shares and explains employer’s requirements for program / scheme design, coordinates during scheme development process and seeks advisory of PD during contract development process.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Discusses terms of designing of evaluation modules for project monitoring, interacts during project handing over process and cooperates for resolution of escalated matters arise during project execution.

Strategy and Business Development: Coordinates for development of operational plans and business development related activities.

Marketing and Communication: Liaises between employers / PSPs and M&C for mobilization related activities and facilitates the process.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education & Relevant Experience :

BS (Honors)/Master in any discipline from a reputable institution with at-least 8 to 10 years of relevant experience of B2B sales, Business Development inclusive of 2 to 3 years of leadership / managerial experience at same capacity in a reputed organization.

Knowledge

• Good understanding of PSDF’s policies & procedures


• Knowledge and understanding of TVET sector its dynamics, trends


• Understanding of national employment law


• Knowledge of GCC labor laws  is a PLUS


• Detailed knowledge of deal structure design


• Strong knowledge of business development concepts, approaches and methodologies Good knowledge of customer account management


• Detailed knowledge and demonstrated ability of developing and executing business plans


• Knowledge of project management principles practices


• Detailed knowledge of market/industry trends within Skills Training context


• Knowledge of Partnerships and Contract Management


• Basic knowledge of socio-cultural environment of the region

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Partnership and Placement Business Planning

Shares departmental performance with Supervisor against objectives set for previous year; Participates in development of PSDF’s future plans and contributes with perspective of P&P’s; Understands future directions and 5 year strategic targets from CEO; Evaluates different environmental (internal/external) scenarios, develops & devises Partnership & Placement  strategies, operating plans and quarterly initiatives aligned with 5 year approved strategic targets as per Supervisor’s directions in-coordination with Strategy & BD and seeks approval of the same from Senior Management; Performs annual departmental manpower planning in-consultation with HR based on approved targets, defends and seeks approval on the same from relevant authority; Undertakes departmental budgeting process in-collaboration with Finance; Formulates policies, SOPs, frameworks and models (segmentation, prioritization etc.)of P&P, improves same upon feedback of Supervisor and seeks approval of same from Supervisor; Briefs subordinates about approved plan, delegates responsibilities and allocates targets to team; Implements and monitors progress of approved annual plan and ensures compliance with same.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO accurately estimate P&P departmental requirements, successfully implement tactical plans, effectively contribute in the achievement of organizational objectives, and to bring about improvement in processes. 

Partnerships Development 

Leads identification, assessment and prioritization of potential employment (local / international) based on market research and guides subordinates for same using segmentation parameters and priority matrix; Interacts, establishes & fosters long-term relationships with Senior Management of sector based employers/industry players, including large corporations and SMEs; Promotes PSDF as an organization and generates business leads; Forms sales pitch with the support of subordinates; Pitches organizational idea of training partnership and placements, persuades for working with PSDF and understands skill training requirements of interested employers; Explains employer’s requirements to Program Design and coordinates program designing; Educates employer about customized training program and seeks approval of same; Formulates partnership model/deal design inclusive of training program, %age cost sharing per trainee, duration of program, performance monitoring, invoicing patrons and  placement terms etc through close liaison with PD, M&E, Finance; Seeks CEO’s inputs and approval of deal design; Shares and presents deal to the Senior Management of employment partner; Negotiates & finalizes contractual terms in-consultation with CEO and gets the agreement signed off; Coordinates with Marketing & Communication for mobilization of the plan and its publicity; Ensures timely kickoff of the plan and keeps check on the training quality in liaison with Monitoring and Evaluation; Creates pool of potential PSPs through assessments and validation; Develops engagement models, rigorous monitoring and payment system for the placement services; Design the deals and negotiates terms of agreement; Leads self-employment initiatives for trainees including Women and entrepreneurship related projects; Ensures employer and PSP pool record management; Assures timely payments through clearance of reports with Monitoring and Evaluation; Facilitates employers / PSPs for resolution of escalated queries. These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO optimize business development initiatives, ensure successful achievement of P&P goals.

Relationship Management  

Establish close rapport with senior management of key partners, through visits, scheduled & informal meetings; Participates in events organized by the Partners / PSPs; Designs and implements stakeholder engagement and communication strategies and tools; Takes initiatives to enhance trainee engagement to build interest in PSDF programs; Provides support and facilitates for resolution of queries; Persuades for renewal of contract with PSDF.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO deliberately maintain business relationships and ensure  renewal of contracts and achievement of allocated targets

People Management  

Provides effective and inspiring leadership to direct reports; Ensures parity among subordinates with regards to learning and growth opportunities; Helps creating a conducive working environment to build and sustain an engaged and committed team; Creates a sense of purpose and self-fulfillment among subordinates; Crafts the need for empathy when necessary; Delegates the responsibilities to the direct reports; Keeps the team emotionally aware, sensitive and open to accept planned organizational changes (if any) for the greater good; Leads by example, motivates and maintains a competent and high performing staff, capable to meet current and future needs; Identifies training and development requirements of subordinates to take future roles; Manages performance of direct reports through objective setting, continuous support, feedback and formal appraisal; Coordinates with HR for recruitment of new talent; Handles administrative issues related to HR i.e. conflict management, grievances handling, disciplinary issues etc. of the team.

These responsibilities are carried out IN ORDER TO build and retain a highly engaged, proficient, motivated, knowledgeable and effective team.