Chief Executive Officer jobs in South Africa

Direct message the job poster from The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players' Fund

PROFILE:

The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund is looking for a dynamic and mission-driven leader with a strong understanding of non-profit management, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and rugby culture. The ideal candidate will possess strategic vision, financial acumen, and operational expertise to ensure the Fund continues to provide life-changing support to catastrophically injured rugby players while growing its impact and sustainability.

The role of the CEO of the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund exists to ensure the organisation effectively fulfils its mission of supporting rugby players who have suffered catastrophic injuries. The CEO is responsible for strategic leadership, operational management, stakeholder engagement, and financial sustainability, ensuring the Fund remains impactful, well-governed, and aligned with its vision. The CEO position is critical to ensuring the Fund remains financially secure, strategically driven, and deeply connected to both the rugby community and the players it serves. The role requires leadership, business acumen, fundraising expertise, and a passion for rugby player welfare.

• Proven leadership experience in a senior management role, ideally within a non-profit, foundation, sports organisation, or corporate social responsibility (CSR) function.
• Deep connection to rugby—either through direct involvement (playing, coaching, administration) or a strong affinity for the sport and its values.
• Experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, donor relations, and grant applications, with a track record of securing sustainable funding.
• Strong understanding of non-profit governance, compliance, and financial management.
• Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Trustees.
• Background in stakeholder engagement and advocacy, particularly in liaising with sports governing bodies, corporate sponsors, government, and donors.
• Experience managing small, high-performing teams, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and volunteers.

• Ability to set and execute long-term strategy while remaining hands-on with operational delivery.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of innovation in fundraising, partnerships, and programme development.

• Ability to develop and maintain funding relationships with corporate partners, donors, and grant-making organisations.
• Experience designing and implementing fundraising campaigns, sponsorship proposals, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Sound financial management skills to oversee budgets, reporting, and resource allocation.

• Strong interpersonal skills to work with injured players, their families, Unions, corporate sponsors, donors, and government bodies.
• Ability to be an ambassador for the Fund, advocating for player welfare and raising awareness about the organisation’s mission.
• Experience in public speaking, media relations, and brand representation.

• Ability to develop and execute marketing strategies that enhance the Fund’s visibility, brand awareness, and engagement.
• Experience managing social media, website content, and digital marketing to reach donors, sponsors, and the rugby community.
• Strong public relations skills, with the ability to craft compelling messaging for media, press releases, and public engagements.
• Comfortable acting as a spokesperson for the Fund in interviews, industry events, and corporate meetings.
• Knowledge of storytelling techniques to highlight the impact of the Fund’s work through compelling case studies, player testimonials, and donor communications.
• Ability to leverage media relationships and industry networks to amplify the Fund’s reach and credibility.

• Ability to lead a small, high-impact organisation, ensuring efficiency and accountability.
• Strong governance knowledge, ensuring compliance with South African non-profit regulations and best practices.
• Experience managing grant applications, reporting, and funder deliverables.

• Passionate about rugby and committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of injured players.
• Compassionate and empathetic, able to connect with and support recipients and their families.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to navigate challenges in fundraising and non-profit operations.
• Results-driven and proactive, with a high degree of initiative.
• Charismatic and persuasive, able to inspire donors, sponsors, and partners to support the cause.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, fostering a strong internal culture while engaging external stakeholders effectively.

• A degree in business administration, non-profit management, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• 8 – 10 years of leadership experience, preferably within the non-profit, sports, or corporate social responsibility sectors.
• At least 5 years of experience in fundraising, sponsorship development, and grant writing, with a proven track record of securing funding.
• Board-level reporting and governance exposure, with experience working closely with trustees or executive committees.
• Financial management experience, including financial reporting, budget preparation, profit and loss oversight, cash flow management, and investment management.
• Strong people management skills, with experience leading teams, engaging stakeholders, and collaborating with board members and donors.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, persuasive presentation abilities, and high-quality writing skills for proposals, reports, and media engagements.
• Deep understanding of the non-profit sector, including regulatory requirements, donor engagement best practices, and financial sustainability strategies.
• A strong professional network within rugby, corporate sponsorship, and philanthropy would be advantageous.

The Players’ Fund CEO is more than just a leadership role—it is the heart and soul of an organisation that supports rugby’s most vulnerable heroes. This person will be responsible for ensuring that injured players receive the critical support they need to live fulfilled lives, while also securing the long-term sustainability of the Fund.

They must be equally comfortable advocating for funding in corporate boardrooms as they are visiting injured players in their homes, ensuring that the Fund remains a vital pillar of South African rugby.

This is an opportunity for a driven, strategic, and passionate leader to leave a legacy within South African rugby landscape by championing player welfare, expanding the reach of the Fund, and ensuring it continues to thrive for decades to come.

The Chris Burger Fund Petro Jackson Players’ Fund is looking for suitably qualified candidates to apply for the position of Chief Executive Officer. The position reports to the Board of Directors and the attached job profile contains the details of the job.

Please forward your application to Careers@playersfund.org.za. Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. The closing date for receiving applications is Wednesday, 12 March 2025.

• Executive

• Full-time

• Business Development and Sales
• Non-profit Organizations