About SPARK Schools
SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.
The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalized education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.
SPARK Schools has a culture of collaboration, because getting South Africa to lead global education takes a team effort. We are innovators who strive for excellence through persistence and a sense of urgency to achieve SPARK Schools’ vision, mission and social transformational objectives. Our work environment is vibrant/cheerful, fast-paced/dynamic, engaging/stimulating, tech-enabled and data driven.
SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven, entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools and 5 high schools and serving over 18,000 families in 2025. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.
SPARK values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness
ABOUT THE ROLE
Purpose of the role:
The Operations Manager – Sales & Credit Control is responsible for optimizing the full enrollment pipeline and school fee collections process. This role ensures operational efficiency, enhances the customer experience, and supports financial sustainability. Leading cross-functional teams, the incumbent will drive scholar enrolment growth and ensure timely and effective collections, contributing directly to cash flow improvement and the broader strategic objectives of SPARK Schools.
Reports to: Head of Sales & Credit Control
Responsibilities:
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Own and drive the achievement of Sales, Collections, customer service, and operational performance targets.
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Develop and implement monthly operational plans and recovery strategies where performance falls below agreed targets.
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Analyse operational data, identify trends, performance gaps, and root causes, and translate insights into actionable business improvement initiatives.
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Monitor and optimise the end-to-end enrolment pipeline, ensuring effective lead management, pipeline health, conversion performance, and resource utilisation.
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Develop and implement strategies to improve collections performance, reduce arrears, and maximise cash flow through proactive engagement and structured interventions.
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Evaluate the effectiveness of sales and collections campaigns, measure return on investment, and use performance insights to optimise future initiatives.
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Identify operational risks that may impact enrolment, revenue, customer experience, or service delivery, and implement appropriate mitigation plans.
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Drive continuous improvement by reviewing business processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing sustainable operational enhancements.
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Ensure operational decisions are supported by accurate reporting, performance analysis, forecasting, and business intelligence.
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Present operational performance reviews, business insights, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership to support informed decision-making.
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Lead cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Finance, Schools, Customer Experience, and other business functions to improve operational outcomes and achieve organisational objectives.
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Champion a culture of accountability, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making across the Sales and Credit Control teams.
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Ensure team leaders are effectively coached, performance-managed, and held accountable for achieving individual and team performance objectives through regular one-on-one engagements and structured performance reviews.
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Foster innovation by identifying opportunities for automation, digital adoption, and process optimisation to improve efficiency, scalability, and the customer experience.
Requirements
Qualifications and Criteria:
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Education Management or equivalent.
- Certification in project management, leadership, or financial operations is advantageous.
- 5+ years in operations, sales, credit control, or revenue management (preferably in education or services sector).
- Minimum 3 years call centre management experience.
- Proven success in enrolment/sales pipelines, improving collections performance and meeting and exceeding targets
Key Attributes:
- Results-driven and process-oriented.
- Excellent communicator and team motivator.
- High integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
- Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
- Commercially minded and customer-focused
- Highly organised and proactive
- Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving ability
- Integrity and discretion in handling sensitive information
Benefits
SPARK offers:
- fair market linked remuneration
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performance-based annual bonuses and increases
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above average/good annual leave
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life, disability and funeral cover
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employee wellness support
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educational support & study leave
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individualised professional development, support and mentorship
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employee discount on school fees
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opportunities for career growth
Remuneration: Market Related.
Position Type: Permanent/Full Time
Location: Randburg, Gauteng
SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company’s Employment Equity goals and targets.
SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.
Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.
