Job Placement Coordinator, Next Creata job at Next Media

Role Purpose

The Job Placement Coordinator is responsible for creating and managing pathways for trainees to transition into paid creative work through internships, freelance opportunities, short-term projects, studio placements, collaborations, and long-term employment.

The role builds and manages relationships with creative industry partners, and ensures that learners are supported to apply their skills in real production environments, grow their professional portfolios, and begin earning.

This role is the bridge between learning and employment.

Key Responsibilities

A. Work Placement & Industry Pipeline Development

• Identify, engage, and maintain partnerships with:
• Media houses (Radio, TV, Digital newsrooms)
• Creative agencies & advertising firms
• Production studios & film/music collectives
• Digital influencer networks & content startups
• Secure internship, freelance, and employment placement agreements.

B. Internship Program Management

• Match candidates to appropriate placement opportunities based on skill readiness.
• Prepare participants for placement through:
• Pre-placement orientation sessions
• Work readiness coaching (professional conduct, client interaction, time discipline)
• Conduct ongoing check-ins with host organizations and placed participants.

C. Mentorship Network Development

• Recruit and onboard creative industry mentors (producers, editors, designers, content leads).
• Design structured mentorship plans (1:1 sessions, group critiques, production reviews).
• Coordinate masterclasses, guest lectures, and career clinics.

D. Portfolio & Career Pathway Support

• Guide learners to develop:
• Professional portfolios
• CVs / Creative resumes
• Digital creator profiles
• Demo reels / showreels
• Support alumni in presenting themselves professionally in the job market.

E. Placement Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain detailed placement tracking dashboards to show:
• Who has been placed
• Where
• In what role
• For how long
• And whether income was earned
• Submit monthly transition reports to MEL Manager and Program Lead.

F. Safeguarding & Participant Well-being

• Ensure all work environments meet program safety and inclusion standards.
• Immediately escalate safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Officer.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in Talent management, casting, HR placement, production management or Creative business development, artist management, or media coordination.
• Strong network within Uganda’s film, music, radio, TV, and digital creator communities.
• Experience supporting youth, emerging creatives, or training graduates is a strong advantage.
• Ability to work across diverse communities; Luganda and other local languages beneficial.

Required Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of the creative industry landscape in Uganda.
• Ability to identify quality creative employers and reputable collaborators.
• Skilled in mentorship matching and talent development.
• Understanding of freelance work patterns and creative business models.

Soft / Behavioural Competencies

• Relationship-builder and network connector.
• Excellent listener, encourager, and motivator of youth.
• Organized, proactive, and highly reliable.
• Comfortable engaging artists, producers, managers, executives, and community leaders.

Performance Indicators

Indicator Target Standard

Internship / Gig Placement Rate ≥ 90% of program graduates placed

Alumni Earning Work from Creative Output Measurable income tracked

Mentor Network Size & Engagement Active roster maintained

Documentation & Reporting Accuracy 100% compliance

Participant Satisfaction & Employer Feedback Positive and consistent

Outcome of the Role

This role is successful when:

• Learners become working creatives
• Employers value and request program graduates
• Alumni are earning income and building sustainable creative practice

• Identify, engage, and maintain partnerships with media houses, creative agencies, production studios, and digital influencer networks
• Secure internship, freelance, and employment placement agreements
• Match candidates to appropriate placement opportunities based on skill readiness
• Prepare participants for placement through pre-placement orientation sessions and work readiness coaching
• Conduct ongoing check-ins with host organizations and placed participants
• Recruit and onboard creative industry mentors
• Design structured mentorship plans
• Coordinate masterclasses, guest lectures, and career clinics
• Guide learners to develop professional portfolios, CVs, digital creator profiles, and demo reels
• Support alumni in presenting themselves professionally in the job market
• Maintain detailed placement tracking dashboards
• Submit monthly transition reports to MEL Manager and Program Lead
• Ensure all work environments meet program safety and inclusion standards
• Immediately escalate safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Officer

• Strong knowledge of the creative industry landscape in Uganda
• Ability to identify quality creative employers and reputable collaborators
• Skilled in mentorship matching and talent development
• Understanding of freelance work patterns and creative business models
• Relationship-builder and network connector
• Excellent listener, encourager, and motivator of youth
• Organized, proactive, and highly reliable
• Comfortable engaging artists, producers, managers, executives, and community leaders

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in Talent management, casting, HR placement, production management or Creative business development, artist management, or media coordination
• Strong network within Uganda’s film, music, radio, TV, and digital creator communities
• Experience supporting youth, emerging creatives, or training graduates is a strong advantage
• Ability to work across diverse communities; Luganda and other local languages beneficial