Senior Executive Director: University Relations, Student Affairs & University of Johannesburg Sport (P2) (5-YEAR CONTRACT RENEWABLE SUBJECT TO PERFORMANCE)
Position Summary
Introduction
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature (GES). With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development and strategic partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of “Positioning UJ in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for societal impact in the context of the changing social, political and economic fortunes of Africa”.
Job description
- Key Stakeholder Relations Management services to support the Vice–Chancellor and MEC with guidance on current affairs and their impact on the strategy of the University of Johannesburg.
- Appropriate advice to all members of the Executive Committee (the ‘MEC’) regarding protocol management and administrative processes when interacting with external stakeholders.
- Ensuring proper relationship management with media to ensure effective and efficient affiliation and association as and when required.
- Operationalising the University of Johannesburg’s branding, which requires aligning various elements within the organization, including its culture, processes, systems, and people, to deliver a unified brand experience to customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
- Provide leadership on administration and services of key units, namely, Student Affairs, University Relations, and UJ Sport.
- Support the Vice–Chancellor in implementing the University’s Strategic Plan.
- Contribute to the development and provide oversight in the execution and monitoring of the university strategy.
- Support the Vice–Chancellor to achieve effective follow-through on critical decisions and matters of strategy made by the MEC and other University committees.
- Ensure successful development and implementation of University Relations, UJ Sport, and Student Affairs strategies to advance the University’s Strategic Objectives, including overseeing rollout of operational strategies.
- Effectively manage resources (financial, human and physical) for the effective running of the Division.
- Ensure effective people management within the domain in line with the UJ policies and guidelines.
- Ensure good corporate governance and compliance pertaining to policies, legislation and regulations.
- Provide stakeholders with relevant and accurate information about the domain’s governance practices, performance, risks, and decision-making processes.
- Build and safeguard the institution’s image and reputation by proactively addressing stakeholder concerns, demonstrating responsible governance practices, and aligning the institution’s values with stakeholder expectations.
- Provide guidelines in the planning and execution of important events, both internal and external, ensuring that proper protocol is followed, and that the institution’s reputation is upheld.
- Provide strategic support in prioritising and filtering incoming information, reviewing, and drafting correspondence, and ensuring timely responses to important matters.
- Develop clear, profound, and meaningful partnerships and relationships with spheres of government and communities.
- Build a strong institutional brand that is crucial for the success and recognition of the University with the objective of increasing brand loyalty and attraction. Criteria, amongst others, to achieve this would be the building of an ‘online presence’ and the delivery of a consistent brand.
Minimum requirements
- Doctoral Degree (NQF 10).
- Minimum of 10 years’ managerial work experience at the executive level.
- Senior managerial experience in various settings including governmental relations, stakeholder relations, local and international governance.
- Exceptional managerial and organisational skills as expected.
- Have insight into the local and international political landscape.
- Ability to keep abreast of national and international government affairs.
- Understanding of local, national and international government relations.
- Well-respected and a mature executive administrative leader who is able to inspire and motivate an institutional community, students, alumni, and external stakeholders in the University.
Retirement age:
Application:
Your application, comprising of a detailed Curriculum Vitae as well as the names and full contact details (including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) of at least three traceable and credible referees must be uploaded before or on the closing date of the advertised post. Please also attach the following: a copy of your highest academic qualification, proof of registration with professional bodies you might belong to and if applying for an academic position, a list of accredited research output and/ or a portfolio of your creative output.
Please note that the University is obligated, in terms of recent amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 2021 (Act 13 of 2021), to assess all prospective employees (including applicants) against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The outcome of such an assessment may have an impact upon possible employment with the University.
For more information, please review the following link: Justice/Criminal/NRSO.
If you require technical support / assistance on the UJ e-recruitment website, please contact our service provider PNET on the following contact details: 0861 227337/010 140 3099 or email ujsupport@pnet.co.za.
Candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments.
In conjunction to merit on the basis of qualifications, experience and proven achievements the University of Johannesburg is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and those individuals from the historically disadvantaged groups. As necessitated by operational requirements the University reserves the right not to make an appointment to positions advertised. If you have not received a response from the University within 8 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
