Director: IT Partnerships and Project Management at Stellenbosch University

Duties    

• Serving as the liaison between IT and the Faculties, Teaching and Learning, Research, Social Impact and the professional academic and administrative support environments, understanding their needs and ensuring alignment with institutional goals and strategic priorities;
• Leading the design, implementation, and management of the Business Relationship Management (BRM) framework linked to the international BRM practice to include both institutional systems as well as special systems within divisions and faculties;
• Developing and managing the IT project portfolio, thereby ensuring alignment with institutional priorities;
• Developing and implementing demand management processes, guidelines and procedures to prioritise and align IT resources with institutional needs and strategic objectives;
• Managing and mentoring the relationship managers and project management team, providing guidance and support to ensure successful project outcomes and high levels of stakeholder satisfaction;
• Fostering a culture of innovation by identifying and implementing emerging technologies that support SU's strategic priorities;
• Implementing and managing communication strategies to keep stakeholders informed about IT initiatives, projects, and developments;
• Aligning with IT governance and, where applicable, defining, implementing and overseeing good governance of the portfolio;
• Developing and managing the relevant IT budget, ensuring cost-effective solutions and efficient resource allocation;
• Staying current with emerging technologies, industry trends and best practices in higher education IT, making recommendations for continuous improvement and innovation;
• Building and nurturing internal and external national and international networks (e.g. vendors, other higher education institutions and research associations).  

Job Requirements    

• NQF 8 qualification  (i.e. honour's degree, postgraduate dploma and qualifications) in computer science, information technology, business administration, higher education, or a related field (a master's degree preferred);       
• More than ten years' experience in IT, with at least five years in a leadership role focusing on business relationship management, partnerships, project management, demand management, communication and innovation;       
• Experience in building and maintaining internal and external strategic partnerships;       
• An excellent understanding of the digital transformation opportunities and challenges of higher education institutions;       
• An excellent understanding of the challenges facing South African higher education institutions;       
• Proven experience in managing complex IT projects and developing strategic partnerships in a higher education environment;      
• Strong understanding of demand management, project management methodologies, the software development lifecycle, tools and best practices;      
• Experience in financial management and budgeting;       
• Excellent leadership and team management skills;       
• Strong problem-solving abilities and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure;       
• The ability to adapt and be flexible in a fast changing environment;       
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and communicate relevant IT concepts effectively to technical and non-technical audiences at various levels of the organisation.         

Recommendation

• PhD in computer science, information technology, business administration, higher education, or a related field.