National Corporate Employer Head

Introduction

Be the person private employers deal with when they want to host young talent. We're building a national internship programme, and we need a National Corporate Employer Head to run the application process for private sector employers, from a first expression of interest through to a workplace that is genuinely ready to receive interns.

If you run a clean process, keep everyone informed without being chased, and never let an employer reach day one unprepared, this one's for you.

Duties & Responsibilities

The role

You'll own the private employer application journey end to end: expression of interest, screening and decision, verification, workplace approval and the signed agreement, through to an employer that is ready on day one. You'll hold the service standards on that channel, keep every applicant employer clearly informed on where they stand, and coordinate across the graduate centre, the provincial clusters, payroll and systems so that nothing reaches an employer twice or not at all. The corporate and SMME book carries 11 000 of the programme's placements.

What you'll own

The private employer application process end to end: expression of interest, screening and decision, verification, workplace approval and the signed host employer agreement.

Employer readiness before any intern arrives — approved site, named mentor, induction arrangements and payroll set up — checked, confirmed and evidenced.

Compliance across the corporate and SMME book, including workplace approvals secured under the Workplace-Based Learning Programme Agreement Regulations, 2018 (Skills Development Act).

Clear and consistent employer communication: one channel, published turnaround times, and every applicant employer told where they stand and why.

High level coordination across the graduate centre, the five provincial clusters, payroll and systems, and the implementing partner channel and its service levels.

The evidence base: signed agreements, approval records, readiness checklists and written decision reasons that stand up to audit.

Desired Experience & Qualification

What you'll bring

An NQF Level 7 qualification (Bachelor's degree) in business, commerce, human resources, public administration or a related field. Preferred, not mandatory.

8+ years in employer engagement, client or account management, programme administration or a related field, with at least 3 at senior level. Or similar.

A track record of running a structured application, onboarding or accreditation process at volume, to published turnaround times.

Real compliance discipline: checking documents properly, declining to pass what is not ready, and keeping a clean audit trail while doing it.

Strong written and spoken communication with senior business people, and the judgement to keep them informed before they have to ask.

Proven coordination across several internal teams, holding others to dates you do not directly control.

Working knowledge of the South African skills-development environment — workplace-based learning, host employer agreements and workplace approvals.

A valid Code B driver's licence, willingness to travel nationally, and the right to work in South Africa.

Advantageous

Experience with host employer or workplace approval processes on a SETA-funded or youth-employment programme.

Experience designing or improving an application, onboarding or accreditation process.

An existing corporate or SMME network in South Africa.

Package & Remuneration

What's on offer

A fixed-term, project-linked contract to 31 March 2030, on the band shown above.

A national leadership seat on a large-scale youth-employment programme placing 15 000 young South Africans into workplace experience.

The chance to build something that matters — real impact, at real scale, across all nine provinces.

Interested?

How to apply

Email your CV and a short covering note to careers@firebirdsa.com , with "NAT-09 — National Corporate Employer Head" in the subject line. Closing date: 30th September 2026.

Firebird Consulting and the programme are committed to employment equity and transformation. Preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups in line with the programme's Employment Equity Plan, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal information for recruitment purposes in line with POPIA. Automated tools may assist with screening, but a qualified person makes every decision. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.