Marcia Stellenberg

Strategic and results-driven operations leader with over 20 years' experience in the South African education and training sector, leading operational excellence, programme delivery, and business transformation. Proven track record of taking ownership of day-to-day operations, driving efficiency, strengthening governance, and enabling sustainable growth in complex, fast-paced environments. Experienced in leading cross-functional teams, managing stakeholders at all levels, and translating strategy into structured execution.

Adept at overseeing end-to-end programme delivery, improving systems and processes, implementing digital solutions and automation, and ensuring strong financial oversight, compliance, and operational performance. Recognised for a calm, solutions-focused leadership style, exceptional organisational ability, and the ability to anticipate challenges, remove operational bottlenecks, and deliver results through people, processes, and continuous improvement.

Skills Development, Accreditation & ETQA Lead - ExploreAI Academy / SAND Training / ALX Africa - Remote

(2022-05 - 2026-06)

• Acted as a senior operational lead and execution arm, driving cross-functional collaboration and operational alignment to ensure seamless programme delivery and close-out.
• Managed the end-to-end quality assurance framework, ensuring all training delivery strictly adhered to QCTO and SETA standards and operational SLAs.
• Provided direct leadership, mentorship, and performance oversight for a team of 7 staff across core operational workflows, administration, and compliance.
• Developed business cases for project funding with strict monitoring of budget-versus-actual expenditure to optimize operational spend and maintain fiscal discipline.
• Spearheaded digital and systems improvements, refining operational tracking, reporting dashboards, and administrative workflows to reduce friction and support scalable growth.
• Acted as the primary operational liaison for external stakeholders and regulatory bodies for annual WSP submissions and to maintain consistent verification success rates from initial cohort enrolment through to final certification.

Student Success Manager & SDF - Explore Data Science Academy (Explore Software) - Johannesburg/Remote

(2019-01 - 2022-05)

• Drove campus operations as a founding team member to establish the Johannesburg campus from scratch, successfully securing institutional accreditation and designing original student administration, compliance, and multi-cohort learnership processes.
• Coordinated the end-to-end physical launch of the campus, managing procurement, vendor relationships, logistics, and setup of spaces and equipment.
• Owned the operational execution of student event and transport budgets and incentives, managing vendor procurement and precise fiscal tracking from approval through to financial reconciliation.
• Sourced corporate B2B clients to secure job placement opportunities while managing recruitment and preselection pipelines, driving and maintaining an 80%+ placement rate.
• Directed and managed all accreditation and quality assurance processes, managing data integrity across learner registrations, portfolio development, assessment, moderation, verification, and certification.

Programme Manager - Lulaway Holdings - Johannesburg

(2017-06 - 2019-01)

• Orchestrated nationwide rollout of work readiness training programmes, coordinating multi-site venues, learning resources, and project staff across the country to consistently meet strict targets and funding timelines.
• Built and scaled the operational framework for the national Lulalab Training Division from the ground up, establishing standardized project management processes and staff development workflows.
• Exercised end-to-end oversight of travel, accommodation, and event budgets, managing vendor procurement and meticulous fiscal reconciliation with Finance.
• Managed the end-to-end operational execution of a large-scale youth development portfolio, ultimately exceeding the national funding target by 47% to successfully train over 10,300 candidates.

Learnership & Internship Consultant - Deloitte Consulting (ABSA L & D) - Johannesburg

(2015-09 - 2017-06)

• Coordinated delivery of large-scale learnerships and internships, managing project execution timelines across multiple business units to meet strict scorecard and funding targets.
• Orchestrated full logistical execution for high-profile special events, graduation ceremonies, and multi-stakeholder collaboration workshops.
• Managed funding and grant applications, statutory reporting, vendor compliance, and standardized operational templates to eliminate administrative gaps.

Learner & Mentor Support Officer - Deloitte Consulting - Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumulanga

(2010-02 - 2015-08)

• Managed end-to-end HR administration and learner support for over 100 learners and managers annually across major national learnership programmes.
• Conducted regular on-site workplace visits to monitor learner progress, identify risks and issues, track attendance, and facilitate conduct operational problem-solving interventions.
• Provided one-on-one coaching and facilitated work readiness workshops, supporting learner development, employability, and successful programme completion.

Learner Qualification Development Facilitator - Motseki Business Consulting - Johannesburg

(2013-05 - 2013-12)

• Consulted with industry and skills development experts to develop a brand-new occupational qualification in strict compliance with QCTO frameworks, rules and regulations.
• Compiled, structured, and captured the complete Occupational Profile, Curriculum, and Qualification documents on the QCTO capturing system.
• Formulated and managed detailed process and progress reports for feedback to MERSETA.

Junior Lecturer - University of Johannesburg (Department of Social Work) - Johannesburg

(2008-04 - 2009-11)

• Lectured the Social Work Practical First-Year Programme, utilizing the university's online system to set up, conduct, and mark student assessments.
• Supervised, coordinated and supported the logistical placement process for students across various external institutional stakeholders.
• Orchestrated large-scale institutional event logistics, including student orientations, specialized workshops, and graduation ceremonies.
• Supported faculty colleagues by conducting additional assessment marking and moderation across their respective subjects to maintain strict academic evaluation standards.

Project Coordinator - SAVF (Suid Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie) - Johannesburg

(2007-03 - 2008-03)

• Restructured and scheduled complex community projects that were running haphazardly, transforming them into structured, trackable, and scalable operations.
• Drove the end-to-end