Head of Social Enterprises at The Maa Trust

The Maa Trust is a non-profit organization working together with community-owned wildlife conservancies in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. We work to increase the benefits of wildlife and conservation to Maasai families so that they appreciate and contribute to the protection of wild animals on their land.

• Market Development: Together with the Sales and Marketing Officer, identify and pursue opportunities to increase sales, both locally and internationally, fostering existing relationships and establishing new buyers and distribution networks.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive business strategies for the beadwork and beekeeping enterprises, aligning them with the organization's overall objectives and long-term vision.
• Operational Management: Provide leadership and guidance for day-to-day operations; stock and inventory management and sales to optimise efficiency and profitability.
• Production: Together with the Production Manager, oversee end-to-end production, streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and quality, and implementing systems that expand capacity and reduce costs while upholding ethical labour practices.
• New product development and innovation: Lead new product development-grounded in market trends, customer feedback, and traditional Maasai artistry-by collaborating with artisans and designers to create offerings that resonate locally and internationally, while identifying opportunities to expand product lines, add value, and innovate.
• Experiential Visits & Tourism Integration: Coordinate experiential visits for tourists to HQ and integrate production-center visits into camp itineraries, while also coordinating mobile beadwork shops to visit camps for on-site sales and engagement.
• Financial Oversight: Manage budgets, financial planning, and reporting for the social enterprises, ensuring fiscal responsibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainable growth. This includes developing and implementing strategies to ensure that the social enterprises become sustainable and self-financing.
• Impact Assessment: Together with the M&E Department, establish metrics and frameworks to measure the social, economic, and environmental impact of the enterprises, using data to drive continuous improvement and effectiveness.
• Capacity Building: Lead efforts to train and develop the skills of individuals involved in beadwork and beekeeping, ensuring empowerment and fostering entrepreneurship within the local community.
• Partnership Development: Forge strategic partnerships with relevant donor funding organizations, governmental bodies, and industry stakeholders to expand opportunities and support for the social enterprises.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with legal regulations, ethical standards, and environmental guidelines related to beadwork, beekeeping, and associated business practices.
• Reporting and Communication: Provide regular reports and updates to the organization's leadership and stakeholders, effectively communicating the progress, challenges, and future plans of the social enterprises.