General Manager

Job Type: Onsite - Full Time
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience: Senior
Skills: Written Communication, Leadership Development

Vacancy Announcement: General Manager

Ayay All Things Children | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Full-time | Compensation: Negotiable | Probation: As per contract

About Ayay

Ayay All Things Children helps children read, learn, create, and connect with Ethiopian and wider African cultures. Our portfolio includes children's books, educational materials, print and digital publishing, retail and school sales, and learning experiences such as storytelling events, workshops, and camps. We aim to build a commercially sustainable company that earns families' trust.

Purpose of the Role

The General Manager will establish and lead Ayay's local operations, translate the founder's vision and two‑year business plan into practical priorities, and take responsibility for sales, financial performance, people, and delivery. This start‑up role requires hands‑on leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to build reliable systems with a lean team. The manager will make routine decisions independently within delegated authority and keep the founder informed through concise reporting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Planning & Performance – Translate the business plan into budgets, quarterly priorities, and sales targets. Track progress and take corrective action.

2. Sales & Partnerships – Lead sales through schools, bookstores, institutional buyers, the Ayay shop, and online channels. Build a documented pipeline and convert enquiries into paid orders. Negotiate terms and manage collections.

3. Publishing & Educational Products – Manage the production calendar from manuscript to digital release. Coordinate editors, educators, and language reviewers. Supervise printers and creative contractors. Maintain copyright agreements and an organised catalogue.

4. Events & Camps – Plan and deliver reading events, workshops, and holiday camps. Prepare budgets, coordinate facilitators and suppliers, and review results before repeating.

5. Child Safeguarding – Establish safeguarding procedures and a code of conduct. Ensure risk assessments, parental consent, and appropriate supervision. Protect children's personal information.

6. Finance & Operations – Manage the budget and cash‑flow forecast. Monitor revenue, margins, and costs. Produce monthly management accounts. Oversee office, shop, procurement, and stock. Maintain compliance calendar.

7. Team Leadership – Recruit and supervise staff within the approved structure. Set clear goals and provide regular performance feedback. Maintain a network of creative and programme specialists.

8. Marketing & Customer

Experience – Implement a marketing calendar linked to product releases and school terms. Oversee the website, online shop, Telegram, and Facebook. Develop parent and educator communities.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Education, Publishing, or related field
• At least 5 years of relevant experience, including 3 years leading a team or business unit
• Demonstrated achievement in sales, business development, or partnerships
• Experience managing budgets, people, and delivery
• Ability to interpret budgets, cash‑flow forecasts, and P&L reports
• Fluent in Amharic and English
• Commitment to child safeguarding and ethical conduct

Desirable:
· Experience in children's publishing, educational products, school sales, or camps
· Relationships with schools, bookstores, or printers in Addis Ababa
· Familiarity with publishing workflows, e‑commerce, or digital marketing
· Additional Ethiopian languages (Afaan Oromo or Tigrinya)
· Master's degree or MBA

Authority and working relationships

The General Manager leads routine operations, staff supervision, purchasing, supplier coordination and customer arrangements within an approved budget and written delegation of authority. Reporting lines may include Sales and Marketing, Finance and Administration, and retail or programme staff as the team develops. The manager coordinates specialist contractors and external advisers.
How to Apply

Send your CV and cover letter to ayanasileshi2@gmail.com with subject: "General Manager Application and Your Name