Account Manager, Partner Strategy, Africa
Overview
Manage a portfolio of Partner accounts in Africa, engaging relevant executives in the Forum’s events, initiatives, and communities. Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned organizations and develop engagement strategies to strengthen relationships and identify opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior Partner representatives.
- Lead regular engagement with Partners to understand their strategic priorities.
- Collaborate with relevant internal stakeholders to deliver a seamless Partner experience.
- Engage partners in relevant industry work.
- Monitor Partner engagement, business developments and overall account health to identify opportunities for partnership growth and expansion.
- Proactively identify partnership risks and develop retention strategies.
- Develop engagement strategies for Partners.
- Shape executive agendas and identify opportunities for speaking roles and leadership interactions.
- Ensure effective follow-up to maximize engagement outcomes.
- Work closely with Industry, Regional, Centre, Event, Finance and Partner Development (sales) teams to coordinate Partner activities.
- Provide strategic guidance to Account Associates on operational delivery and ensure high-quality execution across the Partner lifecycle.
Required Experience
5+ years of experience in account management, client relationship management, business development or a similar external-facing role. Demonstrated experience managing relationships with senior business executives and navigating complex stakeholder environments. Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify growth opportunities and develop long-term engagement strategies. Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently with C-suite executives. Strong organizational, project management and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple strategic accounts simultaneously. Proven ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary and multicultural teams while balancing strategic thinking with execution. Responsible, self-driven and adaptable, with a learning mindset and a strong commitment to delivering exceptional Partner experiences. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Salesforce (or other CRM platforms); experience leveraging AI-enabled productivity tools is an asset. Knowledge and understanding of the business, economic and political landscape of Africa.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Business, Economics, International Relations, Management or another relevant field.