The Head/Deputy Director, SOS Academy (SOSA) provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to ensure the academy achieves its learning, organisational, and financial objectives. Reporting to the CEO of SOS, the role is responsible for driving the development and execution of SOSA's vision, mission, and strategic priorities.
The Head oversees training excellence, programme development and delivery, operational performance, financial sustainability, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and organisational growth.
As a member of the SOS senior management team, the role contributes to organisation-wide strategy and decision-making. The Head works closely with the Crisis Care Services Team to strengthen training capabilities that support SOS services and collaborates with the Strategy and Research team to advance research initiatives related to suicide prevention.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership & Direction
- Develop, articulate, and drive the academy's long-term vision, mission, and strategic direction, ensuring alignment with SOS's organisational priorities and evolving sector needs
- Identify emerging trends, gaps, and opportunities in the social service and mental health landscape to inform programme innovation, growth, and partnerships
- Lead change and innovation initiatives to strengthen SOSA's overall effectiveness, including training delivery, programme offerings, and organisational capabilities
2. Training & Programme Oversight
- Ensure high standards of training delivery, learning experience, and learner outcomes across all programmes
- Lead the development, review, and continuous enhancement of training programmes, delivery approaches, and curricula to ensure relevance and effectiveness
- Establish, monitor, and refine key performance indicators to assess learning effectiveness, organisational impact, and sustainability, and drive continuous improvement
3. Business Development & Partnerships
- Develop and drive strategies to expand SOSA's training reach, partnerships, and revenue streams in alignment with organisational priorities.
- Drive learner enrolment and retention through targeted strategies, ensuring programmes remain relevant, accessible, and responsive to sector needs
- Build and sustain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, social service agencies, corporates, and community partners (e.g. SSG, AIC, NCSS, ministries, donors)
4. People Development
- Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team aligned with SOSA's mission and strategic priorities
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture that supports collaboration, learning, and staff well-being
- Develop and strengthen staff capabilities in training delivery, program design, and sector engagement
5. Operations & Governance
- Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory, legal, and sector requirements, including SSG and AIC standards, and maintain audit readiness
- Establish and oversee governance frameworks, policies, and processes to ensure effective and accountable operations
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor's degree in business management, Education, Social Sciences, or related field.
- Completion of recognised leadership development programmes (e.g. Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (ACLP),Deputy Director Leadership Programme (DDLP), or equivalent)
Relevant Experience:
- At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in training, education, organisational development, or a related field
- Experience in the social service or mental health sector
- Experience working within or with funded training environments (e.g. SSG, AIC frameworks)
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, programme or service delivery, financial oversight, and team leadership
- Experience working with senior stakeholders, including governing boards, committees, and external partners
- Proven track record in driving organisational or programme growth, performance outcomes, and operational effectiveness
Key attributes/Competencies:
- Strong strategic thinking and vision, with the ability to translate organisational priorities into clear directions, plans, and outcomes
- Proven leadership and people management capabilities, with the ability to build, develop, and sustain high-performing teams
- Sound financial and business acumen, with the ability to drive sustainability and make informed resource decisions
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complexity, risks, and competing priorities effectively
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and represent SOSA with diverse stakeholders
Working Conditions:
- Office environment
- The role is based on regular office hours, Monday to Friday, with a standard 5-day work week.
