Donald Sipho Sandile Mhlongo
Senior Manager
Krugersdorp,GP
Summary
Accomplished Senior Programme and Project Manager with over 8 years of experience driving cross-functional initiatives, strategic program delivery, and large-scale transformations in the education and development sector, along with 3 years in management. Proven track record in managing global stakeholders and delivering measurable KPIs while aligning projects with overarching business strategies and supporting agile implementations. Expertise in change management, budgeting (R5M–R20M), digital learning solutions, and team leadership fosters collaboration and achieves project goals. Proficient in stakeholder engagement, compliance reporting, and leading business transformation efforts with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Senior Program Manager: Learning & Development
PWC (South African Technology and Innovation Centre)
02.2025 - Current
- Manage key strategic projects involving internal and external clients of PwC UK to solve pressing short term and long-term business needs.
- Develop and manage training programme budgets as provided by the Senior Management and Leadership Team.
- Manage budgets ranging between R5 million and R20 million, depending on the client.
- Responsible for the logistical deployment of curriculum design, including managing participant numbers, facility availability, and venue costs.
- Support international clients, including the UK, where budgets may be higher.
- Liaise directly with clients or support Course Coordinators in communication and coordination.
- Occasionally participate in front-end facilitation.
- Work with Training Coordinators who profile clients based on needs and training types.
- Based on feedback, assess which clients can be serviced and what research is needed for course development.
- Liaise with Course Executives on logistical arrangements post-design, including venue setup.
- Collaborate with Course Designers on training design and structure.
- Coordinate with Reporting Officers to compile data on course completions and performance.
- Prepare quarterly reports to business leads and monitor compliance with internal and external standards.
- Assess the full cost of programme development (internal or external) prior to deployment.
- Determine client pricing structures, including cost, profit margin, and design/development allocation.
- Provide input on design spend and track whether sales targets were met.
- Work with Finance and Procurement teams to support sales performance tracking.
- Negotiate costs during initial client engagement stages, particularly for external deployments.
- Initiate project costing and planning based on threshold processes.
- Partner with subject matter experts to develop learning materials aligned with the people strategy.
- Manage compliance with mandatory training deadlines across regulated areas.
- Work with L&D Course Managers to design and deploy complex curricula to target audiences.
- Own and manage the staff and partner Profiling Tool (survey system).
- Facilitate learning sessions and workshops.
- Maintain records and documentation for regulatory compliance.
- Support reporting for the Learning & Education Committee and Global L&D.
- Provide metrics and updates aligned with regulatory and governance requirements.
- Research and monitor L&D trends to ensure programme relevance.
- Collaborate with leadership to align learning with business priorities.
- Contribute to strategic internal and external projects.
- Analyse data to support decision-making and identify improvement areas.
- Align development with career growth and business strategy.
- Design and implement learning pathways linked to employee progression.
Program Manager: Apprenticeship Development
BluLever Education
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Manage successful implementation of Support and Development to Apprentices and internal team.
- Lead initiatives aimed at expanding training solutions and improving programme offerings.
- Develop and manage budgets for training programmes, ensuring financial targets are met.
- Build and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders.
- Collaborate closely with both the Learning and Sales teams.
- Develop programmatic material and systems for Student Affairs.
- Implement operational efficiencies to improve service delivery and meet training targets.
- Participate in the running of Leadership Base Camp, including managing a week-long camp.
- Serve as a liaison between employer partner and student apprentices.
- Manage conflicts and challenges between employer partners and student apprentices.
- Engage in various tasks to support the overall functioning and culture of BluLever.
- Negotiate contracts and service level agreements with clients.
- Collaborate with team leaders and coaches to identify people development needs within Consulting business units.
Program Manager: Alumni Development Initiatives
Columba Leadership
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute comprehensive, long-term alumni engagement strategies and annual operating plans that align with the institution's mission and potentially support fundraising goals.
- Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including alumni volunteers, affinity groups, students, faculty, and potential donors.
- Programme and Event Management: Plan, manage, and execute a variety of alumni programmes and events, such as reunions, networking receptions, professional development workshops, and volunteer initiatives. This includes managing budgets, timelines, and logistics.
- Communications and Marketing: Oversee multi-channel communications to the alumni community (newsletters, social media, web content, print publications), ensuring consistent branding, engaging content, and effective outreach.
- Data Management and Reporting: Manage alumni databases and CRM systems, ensuring data accuracy and using data-driven insights to track engagement metrics, evaluate programme success, and inform future strategies.
- Collaboration and Support: Work closely with other departments, such as marketing, student services, careers services, and academic units, to integrate alumni into various initiatives like mentoring, career development, and student recruitment efforts.
- Fundraising Support: Collaborate with advancement/development teams to identify and engage potential alumni donors, manage donor stewardship activities, and support philanthropic initiatives.
Programme Coordinator
Columba Leadership
01.2020 - 12.2023
- Program Planning & Development :Assist in designing and developing arts curricula and activities.
Research new program ideas and potential themes.
Coordinate logistics for events, performances, classes, and festivals.
- Administration & Logistics :Manage budgets, track expenses, and handle financial calculations.
Maintain schedules, timetables, and program calendars.
Organize and manage supplies, equipment, and venue setup (lighting, sound).
Handle administrative tasks like data collection, report writing, and documentation.
- Stakeholder & Team Management :Communicate with artists, teachers, volunteers, partner organizations, and the public.
Recruit, train, and support volunteers and program staff.
Act as a first point of contact for program inquiries.
- Marketing & Promotion :Update websites, social media, and create promotional materials.
Publicize events and increase program visibility within the community.
- Evaluation & Quality Control :Collect data, monitor attendance, and review program feedback.
Implement changes to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
National Programmes Support
Columba Leadership
09.2019 - 06.2020
- Administrative & Logistical Support: Schedule meetings, book travel, manage calendars, organize documents, and handle general office tasks.
- Communication: Draft emails, memos, reports, and presentations; liaise with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders.
- Coordination: Ensure smooth operation by coordinating activities, following up on actions, and managing communication flow.
- Data & Reporting: Maintain databases, track metrics, monitor participation, and compile data for reports and evaluations.
- Program Management Support: Assist with planning, implementing, monitoring budgets, and ensuring compliance with procedures.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Support engagement with participants, facilitators, and other groups, ensuring positive experiences.
Project & Operations Support
Impetus Implementing Leadership
02.2017 - 08.2019
- Reported to: Programme Lead
- Direct Reports: 4 (1 Administrative Associate and 3 Interns)
- Collaborated with project managers and team members to facilitate communication and information flow.
- Maintained project documentation, including project plans, schedules, and reports.
- Provided administrative support for operational functions.
- Monitored and reported on the progress of operational tasks, identifying areas for improvement and efficiency.
- Acted as a liaison between project teams, departments, and external stakeholders to ensure clear and effective communication.
- Fostered collaboration and teamwork among project team members and operational staff.
- Prepared and distributed regular updates on project and operational status.
- Tracked, analysed, and reported on the financial performance of training initiatives.
- Prepared regular financial reports for management, highlighting variances and trends.
- Collaborated with training and operational teams to implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising programme impact.
Sales Executive
Cape Union Mart
03.2016 - 01.2017
- Client Acquisition: Identify potential customers through research, networking, cold calling, and outreach.
- Sales Process Management: Manage the entire sales cycle from initial contact to closing deals.
- Presentations & Demonstrations: Deliver tailored presentations, highlighting product features and benefits to solve customer problems.
- Negotiation: Negotiate prices, terms, and prepare sales agreements/contracts.
- Relationship Building: Maintain strong, long-term relationships with new and existing clients, ensuring satisfaction.
- Market Awareness: Conduct market research, report on local trends, and gather customer feedback.
- Event Participation: Attend trade shows, conferences, and promotional events to represent the company.
- Reporting: Maintain accurate records and provide regular reports on sales performance and data.
- Target Achievement: Work towards achieving monthly or annual sales targets
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Sociology
University of South Africa
01.2022
Bachelor of Arts Honors - Psychology
University of South Africa
01.2025
Skills
Certification
Theoretical Course in HIV/AIDS Care & Counselling, University of South Africa 2021 - 2021
References
- Mahleke, Matome, Senior Manager, mahleke.matome@gmail.com, 073 002 5562
- Neo, Rakoma, Manager, nrakoma@gmail.com, 065 870 8298
- Mzwandile, Kula, Managing Director, mzwandileziyeka@gmail.com, 072 978 8394
Accomplishments
- Achieved a 30% increase in workflow throughput by completing new process modelling with accuracy and efficiency.
- Resolved product issue through consumer testing.
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
- Documented and resolved course queries which led to full regulatory compliance across three departments.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Senior Program Manager: Learning & Development
PWC (South African Technology and Innovation Centre)
02.2025 - Current
Program Manager: Apprenticeship Development
BluLever Education
01.2024 - 01.2025
Program Manager: Alumni Development Initiatives
Columba Leadership
01.2021 - 12.2023
Programme Coordinator
Columba Leadership
01.2020 - 12.2023
National Programmes Support
Columba Leadership
09.2019 - 06.2020
Project & Operations Support
Impetus Implementing Leadership
02.2017 - 08.2019
Sales Executive
Cape Union Mart
03.2016 - 01.2017
Bachelor of Arts Honors - Psychology
University of South Africa
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Sociology
University of South Africa