The General Manager, Strategic Projects & Ventures, will provide leadership, oversight, and accountability for Next Media’s flagship donor-funded, commercial, and strategic ventures. The role focuses on:
- Mastercard Foundation Project (NextCom Segment) – ensuring successful delivery of program milestones, donor compliance, certification, and impact on youth (especially young women) in Uganda’s creative economy.
- Next Creata – an integrated ecosystem comprised of the Content Creator Hub, Virtual Reality Studio, Next Conference Center, and Ugatunes is designed to empower creators, commercialize creative spaces, and build sustainable revenue streams.
- Next Events – conceptualizing and delivering high-impact events that elevate Next Media’s profile, deepen industry influence, and drive commercial value.
- Special Projects – managing the design, execution, and reporting of strategic, cross-functional initiatives commissioned by the CEO and EXCO.
The GM ensures these initiatives are strategically aligned, financially sustainable, and deliver measurable social and business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Mastercard Foundation Project Leadership
- Act as the overall lead and main liaison with Mastercard Foundation.
- Ensure implementation of the Year One Workplan, including:
- Program Popularisation and ecosystem awareness campaigns.
- Recruitment of program staff, trainers, and fellows.
- Benchmarking & Learning through trips and global partnerships.
- Certification of Media Management & Production fellowships with DIT and relevant bodies.
- Training Delivery for 9,900 youth, with focus on women, persons with disabilities, and refugees.
- Ensure compliance with Mastercard Foundation’s safeguarding, gender inclusion, and charitable purpose policies.
- Lead monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), providing quarterly reports and donor updates.
- Manage program budgets, risks, and compliance.
- Next Creata (Content Creator Hub, VR Studio, Conference Center, Ugatunes)
- Drive operationalization and scaling of Next Creata.
- Develop and execute utilization and commercialization strategies for spaces and platforms.
- Position Next Creata as a regional leader in youth training, production, and convening.
- Build creator empowerment programs (mentorship, monetization, partnerships).
- Track utilization metrics, ecosystem impact, and revenue growth.
- Next Events
- Conceptualize and deliver signature events that reinforce Next Media’s brand and generate commercial value.
- Secure sponsorships, partnerships, and ticketing revenues.
- Oversee end-to-end planning and flawless execution.
- Position Next Events as an industry thought-leadership platform.
- Special Projects Management
- Lead the design and execution of strategic initiatives as directed by the CEO or EXCO.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to Next Media’s mission.
- Build cross-functional project teams and provide oversight to ensure accountability.
- Produce clear project plans, milestones, and post-implementation reports.
- Act as innovation driver, piloting new ventures and partnerships before scale-up.
- Leadership & Strategic Oversight
- Lead and inspire multi-disciplinary teams across ventures.
- Set and track KPIs, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes.
- Provide quarterly updates and strategic insights to the CEO and EXCO.
- Engage external partners, donors, and government stakeholders.
- Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Media Management, Project Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- 8–10 years of senior leadership in donor-funded projects, commercial ventures, or cross-sector special projects.
- Proven track record with international donors, certifications, and program reporting.
- Experience in creative economy ventures, training programs, and commercialization strategies.
- Strong exposure to managing high-level strategic or one-off projects.
- Deep understanding of safeguarding, gender inclusion, and youth empowerment frameworks.
Key Skills & Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong execution focus.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills.
- Robust project management expertise across diverse portfolios.
- Financially astute with donor and commercial budget management.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Entrepreneurial and innovative mindset.
- High integrity, accountability, and commitment to youth empowerment and inclusion.
To apply for this job email your details to sales@nextmedia.co.ug