UJ is keen to appoint a dynamic, decisive, innovative yet seasoned leader for this exciting senior executive administrative role in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. The Senior/Executive Director in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office serves as a member of the Management Executive Committee of UJ. Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the Vice Chancellor with strategy development, strategy execution, management and monitoring, and with securing benchmark excellence in operations, administration and governance.
Support the Vice Chancellor to implement the University’s 2025 Strategic Plan;
Support the Vice Chancellor to achieve effective follow-through on critical decisions and matters of strategy made by the Management Executive Committee (MEC) and other University committees;
Coordinate on behalf of the Vice Chancellor with the MEC and other University committees regular reporting on critical decisions and matters of strategy;
Draft, in liaison with the Vice Chancellor, and with the support of the MEC, quarterly reports on progress achieved with implementing the 2025 Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plans for, consideration by Council and Senate;
Act as a liaison and work effectively and collegially with members of the MEC and other senior executives to achieve an efficient and integrated administrative service;
Provide a comprehensive support service to the Vice Chancellor that ensures a professional, responsive, effective and collegial experience within the organisation as a whole;
Ensure that the Vice Chancellor’s office achieves seamless and pro-active operational, administrative and governance excellence;
Provide high level executive support to the Vice Chancellor and serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies – local, provincial, national, regional, continental and international - on all matters pertaining to the office of the Vice-Chancellor;
Communicate directly, effectively, supportively and collegially, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, and in a manner that develops mutual trust, confidence and credibility with MEC members and key stakeholders on key matters, including those sensitive and confidential in nature;
Work closely and effectively with the Vice Chancellor to keep the Vice Chancellor well-informed, on top of commitments and responsibilities, while alerting the Vice Chancellor to important, critical and immanent issues in the internal and external environments;
Provide leadership to build relationships crucial to the success of the university, and manage a variety of special projects for the Vice Chancellor, some of which have university-wide impact;
Organise and coordinate the Vice Chancellor’s executive outreach and external relations;
Complete, in liaison with the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Assistance, critical aspects of deliverables with a hands-on-approach, including drafting acknowledgement letters, personal correspondence and other tasks that facilitate the Vice Chancellor’s ability to effectively and collegially lead the university;
Prioritise conflicting needs, tackle matters expeditiously, proactively and follows-through on delegated projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures;
Serve as coordinator of meetings, as requested by the Vice Chancellor;
Liaise between the Vice Chancellor and other departments, including representing the Vice Chancellor at Communications staff meetings;
Manage in liaison with the Vice Chancellor’s executive Assistant, various in-house meeting processes and agendas;
Ensure the effective and efficient management and utilisation of the Vice Chancellor’s office finances and resources;
Respond proactively to national, provincial and local government departmental matters and concerns; and
Assist the Vice Chancellor in identifying, quantifying and managing risks within the Vice Chancellor’s Office.
Minimum Requirements...
Substantive Executive experience and stature with a Doctoral Degree or equivalent as a minimum qualification;
Minimum of 5 years managerial work experience at executive level;
Sound knowledge of and insight into the responsibilities and challenges of the higher education sector – nationally, Pan Africa-wide and internationally;
Excellent knowledge of the South African, African and global higher education sector and/or prior experience working with/for important organizations - nationally, Pan Africa-wide and internationally;
Strong organisational and exceptional administrative skills that demonstrate the ability to perform and priotise muiltiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail;
Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build mutually supportive and trust relationships with stakeholders, including staff, students, the MEC, Council, Senate, Institutional Forum, Convocation, external partners and donors;
Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability;
Impeccable communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with senior staff and other VIPs – oral and written;
Exceptional EQ;
Highly resourceful team–player , with the ability to also work effectively independently;
Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion;
Adaptable to various competing demands;
Demonstrated excellence in client/stakeholder relations;
Demonstrated ability to reach demanding performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
Forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opprtunities and proposes solutions; and,
A well-respected and a mature executive administrative leader who is able to inspire and motivate the academic community, students, alumni and external stakeholders in the University.
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