James Maposa - Experienced Management Consultant

Johannesburg, South Africa

Experience

Jan 2018 - Dec 2019

2 years

Lecturer

Vega School of Branding

Lectured courses on branding and marketing strategy at postgraduate level
Developed course materials and assessments
Mentored and evaluated student performance

Nov 2017 - Present

8 years 3 months

Founder & Head of Growth

Valora

Founder of Valora, overseeing business strategy, finance (P&L), tax, and operational management
Spearheading marketing efforts to engage both existing and prospective clients
Leading business development initiatives
Brand research/insights lead
Engaging clients throughout project delivery and in pursuit of new business opportunities
Providing clients with strategic insights and high-level direction
Advising on the creation of client deliverables, contributing to brand & marketing strategies
Collaborating closely with clients to shape their brand narratives and unique messaging
Supporting the development of distinctive brand voices with the creative team and executing them across multiple platforms (websites, social media, direct mail, etc.)
Ensuring high standards in strategy development, creative design, copywriting, proofing, editing, and maintaining quality control, with a focus on creative, marketing, and strategic cohesion
Recruiting and managing staff and supplier partnerships to deliver seamless client engagements
Consistently meeting business development goals in alignment with growth strategies
Successfully managing finances, ensuring consistent profitability since inception
Leading major branding and rebranding projects for clients across sectors including financial services, agriculture, renewable energy, fintech, entertainment, education, mobile payments, and oil & gas
Innovating new tools, methodologies, and approaches to enhance emerging market business brand-building & progression
Facilitated Valora's investment as a minority shareholder in a renewable energy company
Expanding business into new sectors such as fashion and the wine industry

Sep 2016 - Present

9 years 5 months

Founder & Managing Editor

Tracy Publishing

Founder and key driver behind the establishment of Tracy Publishing
Planning and managing day-to-day operations to ensure smooth workflow
Recruiting, coaching, and supervising editorial and operational personnel
Coordinating editorial meetings and overseeing publication schedules
Assigning and approving tasks for writers, editors, photographers, and designers
Managing timelines and ensuring adherence to deadlines across all departments
Overseeing proofreading processes and editing content as needed
Assisting with the final review of content to ensure compliance with company policies, style, and tone
Representing the company at industry events
Organising events to launch and promote new publications
Continuously marketing published works to broaden audience reach
Engaging sponsors for projects requiring additional financial backing
Handling the financial management of Tracy Publishing
Successfully published three anthologies and one full-length novel to date

Sep 2016 - Nov 2017

1 year 3 months

Director – New Business

Interbrand

Executive Committee Member responsible for shaping the business's strategic direction, including defining its purpose, service offerings, revenue targets, business goals, and client portfolio development
Overseeing client relationship management, staffing, project execution, and the advancement of business portfolios
Supporting the development of the consultancy's growth strategy and reviewing performance on a monthly and quarterly basis
Leading business development efforts across Southern, West, and East Africa
Structuring contractual agreements with clients, including trade arrangements and equity-based project fee proposals
Coordinating business activities with key external partners and continuously engaging additional partners to meet client-specific requirements
Overseeing and executing Interbrand’s marketing initiatives
Expanding Interbrand’s network through conferences, media events, and speaking engagements
Leveraging professional networks to achieve business development targets
Signing three new projects with a combined value of over ZAR4 million within the first three months
Developing new tools to enhance project delivery and improve client deliverables

Nov 2015 - Sep 2016

11 months

Strategy Manager – Advisory

Ernst & Young

Building and managing a portfolio of valued client relationships to drive business unit growth
Leading presentations and proposals for medium-complexity and highly complex projects, offering subject matter expertise
Developing innovative commercial insights tailored to client needs, operational teams, and cultural contexts
Delivering clear, concise, and high-quality project findings, acting as a subject matter expert
Driving improvements in client business processes and ensuring compliance with EY’s quality and risk guidelines
Collaborating with engagement partners to build, manage, and motivate high-performing teams
Supporting key staff in developing sustainable competencies
Successfully completed multiple customer strategy, experience, service design, and user experience engagements
Built strong relationships across industries, resulting in new engagement leads and business opportunities

Jan 2015 - Present

11 years 1 month

Founder & Managing Director

Birguid

Founder and principal driver of Birguid’s development and growth
Overseeing operational and financial management to ensure sustainable business expansion
Providing strategic leadership, including setting targets, driving client acquisition, forming key partnerships, and realizing long-term business objectives
Leading and managing client engagements across research, strategy, and monitoring & evaluation projects
Project lead for Birguid’s off-the-shelf research initiative, the Birguid Research Programme (BRP)
Planning, hosting, and facilitating Birguid’s roundtable discussions initiative, True Blue Thursdays (TBT)
Leading brand-building and marketing efforts for the business
Overseeing treasury management to ensure financial stability
Establishing and diversifying revenue streams through investments in rental properties and minority stakes in other companies
Recruiting & developing partners, managers, and staff to align with Birguid's set goals and objectives
Leading the steering committee to track and assess Birguid’s progress against set targets
Achieving growth targets during the business’ first seven years of operation
Utilising profits to launch a rental real estate portfolio for the business
Expanding the business internationally with clients from the USA, Denmark, and the UAE
Securing and maintaining a long-term relationship with Birguid's anchor client for six years
Generating repeat and referral business through exceptional service delivery
Contributing to thought leadership with published articles and speaking engagements

Mar 2014 - Oct 2015

1 year 8 months

Account Director

Ipsos South Africa

Spearheading new business development and contributing to P&L responsibilities for the Loyalty division
Overseeing financial management of research projects to ensure delivery within budget and alignment with targets
Managing day-to-day operations of the Loyalty Account Management & Research team, providing strategic and operational support
Leading and managing client projects from inception through to conclusion, including tracking impact post-delivery
Recruiting, training, developing, and conducting performance reviews for the team
Achieved sales growth in Q1 2015 by renewing major client contracts and acquiring three new clients
Secured several ad hoc business opportunities through focused business development initiatives
Led Ipsos’ first Enterprise Feedback Management event in Africa in September 2014

Nov 2012 - Feb 2014

1 year 4 months

Unit Head – African Mining, Manufacturing & Industrial Automation

Frost & Sullivan

Leading and managing the African Mining, Manufacturing & Industrial Automation unit with a focus on business development, operations, and P&L management
Designing, planning, and overseeing the content and quality of strategy consulting and market intelligence projects
Contributing to confidential custom projects using specialist industry knowledge
Training, developing, and managing a team of consultants, analysts, and interns
Conducted financial deal flow tracking and benchmarking for investment banks
Executed commercial due diligence projects for private equity and investment banking clients
Led an IDC downstream mining beneficiation project, evaluating market scenarios and providing strategic advice
Featured in media appearances and published articles on sector trends and strategy

Feb 2011 - Oct 2012

1 year 9 months

Team Leader – African Mining, Manufacturing & Industrial Automation

Frost & Sullivan

Managed project teams within the African Mining, Manufacturing & Industrial Automation unit
Designed, planned, and oversaw strategy consulting and market intelligence projects
Contributed to thought leadership and custom research initiatives
Trained and mentored consultants and analysts

Feb 2010 - Jan 2011

1 year

Senior Analyst – African Mining, Manufacturing & Industrial Automation

Frost & Sullivan

Conducted market research and intelligence for sub-Saharan Africa’s mining, manufacturing, and industrial automation sectors
Developed industry forecasts and trend analyses
Executed opportunity identification and benchmarking studies
Prepared presentations and reports for clients

Feb 2008 - Jan 2010

2 years

Analyst

Frost & Sullivan

Conducted primary and secondary market research within sub-Saharan Africa’s process industries
Produced market research reports analysing trends and forecasts
Profiled key economic growth sectors and provided advisory support
Authored best practice awards recognizing industry excellence
Handled client briefings, media relations, and networking activities
Supported business development by identifying leads and writing proposals
Led several projects advising on market expansion and diversification
Contributed to achieving research output targets for 2008 and 2009

Jun 2007 - Jan 2008

8 months

Founding Director

Sahara Fruit Beverages & Cakes

Founded and managed a micro-enterprise specialising in preparation, packaging, and delivery of non-preserved fruit juices and cakes
Led marketing and sales campaigns, negotiating supply schedules
Developed business proposals for expansion to end users
Managed financial operations and investor reporting
Scaled beverage supply from 10 L/day to 150 L/day across 10 eateries in 2 months
Expanded cake deliveries from 2 to 15 per day in 3 months
Increased staff from 2 to 10 in 4 months

Jul 2005 - Sep 2006

1 year 3 months

Forester

Forestry Company of Zimbabwe

Oversaw day-to-day silvicultural operations
Developed and implemented operational silvicultural plans
Planned and rolled out strategic environmental management procedures
Managed forest protection activities and community social responsibility initiatives
Conducted forest mensuration and inventory exercises
Reported operational performance to senior management monthly
Surpassed production output targets, ranking the plantation among the top three

Jan 2003 - Sep 2003

9 months

Sales Controller

Industrial Engineering Group National Coal

Established and launched the regional branch in Bulawayo
Managed day-to-day operations of the coal merchanting business
Built and maintained relationships with key trading partners
Enhanced business processes through client consultations, improving cash flow
Coordinated orders, sourced stock from Hwange Colliery, and managed delivery schedules
Achieved 204% of sales targets in the first month
Expanded staff from 3 to 8 over 10 months

Apr 2002 - Sep 2002

6 months

Assistant Forester

Forestry Commission

Supervised day-to-day conservation forestry activities
Developed and implemented operational plans
Updated and maintained operational files
Implemented strategic environmental management procedures
Oversaw forest fire protection and firefighting activities
Promoted social responsibility by engaging with local communities
Managed staff and forest management accounts

Summary

Experienced research, strategy and finance professional offering 22 years’ experience (including 11 years as an executive leader & 13 years as a senior manager) of leading organisations, teams and effective project management – sub-Saharan Africa’s mining, manufacturing, industrial automation, automotive and customer strategy consulting and research experience
Senior strategist (corporate and business unit) – developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating strategic initiatives in alignment with set objectives to enable performance improvement and top- and bottom-line gains
Leadership and management – Founder + Head of Growth at WeAreValora, Founder + Managing Editor at Tracy Publishing, Founder + Managing Director at Birguid, Business Development Director + Executive Committee Member at Interbrand, Strategy Manager at EY, Account Director at Ipsos, Business Unit Director at Frost & Sullivan, Owner & Advisor at Sahara
Expert in research and strategy consulting – 18 years’ experience including managing organisations, large projects, project teams, programmes and known for innovative thinking, effective management and quality deliverables
Excellent communicator – Leveraging strategy, economic, business and financial acumen to communicate effectively with client executives and their respective teams
Career goal – A challenging executive role focused on growth, diversification and increased profitability