Software Engineer

About VUSI – Vocational Understanding & Strategic Insight (Pty) Ltd

VUSI is an innovative career guidance and academic advancement application dedicated to supporting learners in South Africa. The platform tracks academic results, promotes mental health awareness, evaluates aptitude through engaging interactive games, and offers career advice tailored to South Africa’s high-demand occupations. VUSI's mission targets youth challenges such as suicide, depression, and unemployment arising from ill-informed career and life decisions during high school, striving to empower learners to fulfill their potential and contribute to the country's social and economic development.

Role Overview

The Owner position at VUSI is a full-time, in-person role located in Port Elizabeth. This leadership role is responsible for steering business strategy, setting vision and long-term growth plans for the app and its associated services. Duties include managing key partnerships with educational institutions and mental health experts, coordinating product improvement efforts, and ensuring alignment with educational and labor market priorities in South Africa.

The Owner oversees marketing, finance, and customer engagement, leads the team to deliver exceptional learner experiences, and acts as the organization's representative in stakeholder and investor engagements. Furthermore, they monitor organizational performance metrics, manage budgets and resources effectively, and ensure all operational decisions reflect VUSI's commitment to youth empowerment and socio-economic impact.

Candidate Qualifications

• Proven experience in business leadership, including strategic planning, operations management, and organizational growth.
• Familiarity with education, youth development, or career guidance, plus insight into South Africa's educational system and labor market demands.
• Understanding of digital product development or educational technology with basic knowledge of app development and user experience design.
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement, collaborating with schools, community groups, mental health professionals, and investors.
• Competence in financial oversight, budgeting, and resource management to drive sustainable business growth.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to lead and inspire a varied team.
• A dedicated focus on youth mental health, socio-economic improvement, and ethical, learner-centered decision-making.
• A tertiary degree in business, education, psychology, social sciences, or a closely related discipline is preferred.