Program Manager

KWS Academy | Ikeja, Lagos | Full-time, On-site

KWS Academy is building a premium professional development platform focused on media, marketing, communications, and the creative industries.

We are looking for a commercially driven, strategic, and execution-focused Programs & Business Growth Manager to lead our programs team, drive revenue growth, strengthen our brand positioning, and ensure our programs deliver measurable business results.

This is not simply a program coordination role. We need someone who can lead people, identify commercial opportunities, execute growth strategies, and translate business objectives into measurable outcomes.

The successful candidate will work closely with the CEO to build the systems, team, and commercial engine required to grow KWS Academy into a recognised professional development institution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Commercial Growth & Revenue Generation

• Own the commercial performance of assigned programs, including revenue, enrolment, conversion, and agreed profitability targets.
• Develop strategies to attract qualified prospects and convert them into paying participants.
• Identify opportunities for new programs, workshops, masterclasses, corporate training, and other revenue-generating offerings.
• Evaluate program pricing, delivery costs, revenue potential, and commercial viability.
• Monitor the enrolment pipeline, identify conversion gaps, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop opportunities for repeat business, referrals, and recurring revenue.

2. Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead the programs team to achieve agreed commercial, operational, and brand objectives.
• Translate business priorities into team goals, individual responsibilities, execution plans, and measurable targets.
• Establish clear workflows, reporting routines, accountability structures, and performance standards.
• Monitor team performance, resolve execution gaps, and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate effectively with marketing, operations, finance, instructors, and external partners.

3. Program Development & Management

• Identify market needs and develop commercially viable professional development programs.
• Lead program planning, launch, execution, evaluation, and improvement.
• Ensure each program has clear objectives, a defined audience, a compelling value proposition, and measurable success criteria.
• Coordinate instructors, curriculum development, learning materials, schedules, and delivery logistics.
• Ensure program quality and participant experience reflect the Academy's premium positioning.

4. Brand Development & Market Positioning

• Lead initiatives that strengthen KWS Academy's visibility, credibility, and competitive positioning.
• Work with the marketing team to develop program launch strategies, campaign briefs, and promotional plans.
• Identify opportunities for thought leadership, industry collaborations, and strategic partnerships.
• Ensure brand-building activities contribute to measurable business objectives.
• Use market insights and participant feedback to improve the Academy's reputation and relevance.

5. Marketing, Enrolment & Conversion

• Align marketing campaigns with program enrolment and revenue targets.
• Monitor leads, applications, enrolments, conversion rates, and acquisition costs.
• Ensure prospective participants receive timely follow-up and a professional admissions experience.
• Identify conversion bottlenecks and improve the participant acquisition journey.
• Coordinate the use of testimonials, instructor profiles, participant work, and other proof points to communicate program value.

6. Partnerships & Business Development

• Build relationships with organisations, brands, employers, industry professionals, and educational institutions.
• Identify opportunities for corporate training, sponsored programs, and strategic collaborations.
• Maintain a pipeline of prospective partners and track opportunities through to measurable business outcomes.

7. Budget Management & Reporting

• Prepare program budgets and revenue forecasts in collaboration with management and finance.
• Monitor approved expenditure, delivery costs, and program contribution margins.
• Establish performance dashboards and reporting systems.
• Submit weekly reports covering revenue, enrolment, pipeline health, team performance, program delivery, and key risks.
• Develop SOPs, trackers, program calendars, and systems that support efficient, repeatable execution.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Demonstrable experience in program management, business development, marketing, sales, commercial operations, or a related field.
• Evidence of contributing directly to revenue generation, sales growth, enrolment, or commercial performance.
• Experience leading or coordinating a team toward measurable objectives.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of customer acquisition, conversion, pricing, and profitability.
• Ability to translate business and brand objectives into actionable plans.
• Excellent project management, communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable using CRMs, spreadsheets, project management tools, and performance dashboards.
• A proactive, resourceful, accountable leader who can work independently and solve problems without constant supervision.

Experience in education, professional development, training, media, marketing, or the creative industries is an advantage.

HOW SUCCESS WILL BE MEASURED

The successful candidate will be accountable for measurable progress in:

• Program revenue, enrolment, and agreed profitability targets.
• Team productivity, accountability, and execution quality.
• Brand visibility, credibility, and market positioning.
• Program launch effectiveness and participant experience.
• Partnership opportunities converted into business value.
• Operational efficiency and the quality of reporting systems.

FIRST 90 DAYS

Assess the existing programs, commercial pipeline, team capabilities, marketing activities, costs, and operating systems. Develop a prioritised growth plan with agreed targets.

Execute the approved growth and enrolment plan, improve conversion processes, strengthen team accountability, and establish reliable reporting systems.

Demonstrate measurable progress against agreed commercial targets, present program performance and financial insights, and submit a next-quarter growth plan.

Specific targets will be agreed based on the Academy's starting position, approved budget, program calendar, and available resources.

COMPENSATION & EMPLOYMENT

• Salary: ₦250,000–₦350,000 monthly, depending on experience and capability.
• Location: Ikeja, Lagos.
• Work arrangement: Full-time, on-site.
• Initial employment structure: Three-month probation period, subject to the terms of the offer and performance expectations.

CAREER PROGRESSION

This role offers a potential progression pathway to Head of KWS Academy, based on demonstrated commercial results, leadership capability, operational ownership, and consistent performance. Progression is not automatic.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must submit their CV and a cover letter addressing the following:

1. What programs or commercial initiatives have you managed?
2. How much revenue did each generate, over what period, and what was your specific contribution?
3. What teams have you led, and what measurable results did they achieve?
4. If hired, what three measurable commercial, brand, or operational results would you aim to deliver for KWS Academy within your first 90 days?

Please provide specific examples, actual revenue figures, and measurable outcomes. Generic applications without evidence of results will not be prioritised.

Application email: hr@dreamlifestudios.com.ng

Email subject: Programs & Business Growth Manager Application

Only candidates who can demonstrate commercial thinking, leadership ability, strong execution, and accountability for measurable results will be shortlisted.