1690 Director: Academic Enterprise and Services (P5) at Central University of Technology, Free State

Main purpose of the job

• To develop and ensure the successful implementation of academic strategy and the enhancement of student learning/teaching experience and outcomes at Welkom Campus. To lead, manage, and develop new niche programmes and research initiatives, coordinate internal and external partnership-based collaborations and internal alignment on the Welkom Campus academic project.

Main tasks

• Academic leadership and management
• Partnerships strategy and revenue generation.
• Stakeholder management
• Finance and people management.

 Minimum Qualification/ Knowledge and/or Experience      

• A Doctorate Degree.
• Five (5) years’ experience in academic leadership and management at the departmental or divisional level in a higher education institution.
• Experience in identifying, developing, and managing collaborative academic partnerships institutionally, regionally, and internationally.
• Experience in setting up learning innovation platforms like Makerspaces.
• Ability to develop new ways of working to solve complex problems and effect organisational change at the divisional level.
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork ability both organisationally and externally.
• Understanding the policy, regulatory and development agenda in the higher education sector in South Africa.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the proven ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, students, staff, and potential partners.
• Understanding and operating confidently in diverse organisational settings and sensitively across various cultures.
• Understanding how this role enhances the Welkom Campus' widening participation, equal opportunities and inclusion agendas, and a commitment to translate this into action.
• Excellent human relations and people management skills.

Desired Qualification, Knowledge and/or Experience         

• NRF-rated researcher.
• At least 10 years' experience in academic leadership and management at departmental or divisional level in a higher education institution.
• An individual who demonstrates emotional intelligence, is flexible and change oriented.
• An individual with an elevated level of personal motivation, energy, and Enthusiasm.
• An individual who is resilient and able to work effectively under internal and external pressure.
• An ability to hold, intellectual, critical conversations as a means of achieving mutually desired goals.
• An individual who demonstrates the ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared qoals.