EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: TRANSFORMATION AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES (Five-Year Fixed-Term Performance-Based Contract)

The Executive Director: Transformation and Strategic Initiatives provides visionary leadership and institutional oversight for the University's transformation agenda, strategic initiatives, strategic partnerships, business intelligence, organisational development, and institutional renewal programmes. The position is responsible for driving programmes, and partnerships aligned with the University's Vision, Mission, Strategic Plan, and national higher education priorities.

The Executive Director serves as a catalyst for institutional renewal by ensuring alignment between transformation imperatives and institutional strategy, enabling measurable improvements in institutional culture, systems, governance, stakeholder engagement, and organisational performance.

The incumbent provides executive leadership in overseeing high-impact strategic projects, monitoring institutional performance, advancing strategic partnerships, mobilising resources, and strengthening institutional intelligence to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement across the University.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in Strategic Management, Public Policy, Business Administration, Organisational Development, Public Policy or a related field.
• A Doctoral degree would be an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years' relevant leadership experience in strategy, transformation, organisational development, institutional planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, or a related environment.
• At least five (5) years' experience at executive or senior management level within higher education, government or a comparison complex organisation.
• Demonstrated experience in leading large-scale transformation and organisational change programmes.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, institutional performance management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in partnership development, resource mobilisation, and external relations.
• Experience within the higher education sector will be a distinct advantage.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated capacity to think strategically with expertise in complex problem solving, decision-making and critical thinking skills, displays good judgement.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the proven ability to provide leadership to a team and to work in a team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication, presentation and negotiation skills and tolerance to manage stress and role demands.
• Strong project management experience, ability to develop, monitor and evaluate multiple projects with multiple deliverables and deadlines.
• Ability to plan, organize and lead the implementation of plans and processes.
• Financial and resource management.
• Higher education policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Transformation and diversity management.
• Strategic planning and institutional performance management.
• Organisational development and change management.
• Governance and risk management principles.
• Stakeholder and partnership management.
• Resource mobilisation and fundraising strategies.
• Public sector governance and compliance frameworks.

Personal Attributes

• Assertiveness and excellent relationship management.
• Ability to mentor direct reports.
• A demonstrated commitment to professionalism and a strong work ethic.
• A demonstrated commitment to high standards of integrity and accountability.
• Highly developed analytical skills.
• Ability and skills in liaising with and managing internal and external stakeholders.
• Managerial capacity and experience at a senior level.

The position is a five-year fixed-term appointment, with the possibility of renewal for a further five-year term, subject to satisfactory work performance. A competitive total annual remuneration package, inclusive of benefits, will be offered to the successful candidate.

All applications must include the following, which are critical in evaluating each application received:

• A Self-Evaluation by the applicant showing how his/her competences and qualifications meet the requirements for appointment.
• University of Zululand Application Form.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Certified copies of all academic qualifications.
• Copy of Identity Document.
• Names and contact details of at least three (3) contactable work-related referees (one must be a current or recent superior).
• One confidential referee report to be emailed by one of the referees directly to the email address specified below.

To obtain the University of Zululand Application Form, please visit the University website and click on Vacancies ( http://www.unizulu.ac.za/vacancies).

Applications must be submitted by emailing the completed Form, together with the required supporting documentation, to Ms N.N. Mdletshe at ***email_hidden***.