Vice Principal: Finance and Unisa Business Enterprise (CFO)

The African University Shaping Futures in the Service of Humanity

Unisa is a leading contributor to the South African graduate pool, offering a wide range of quality programmes to a third of all higher education students in the country, as well as to other international students. At the forefront of this, is Comprehensive Open Distance e-Learning (CODeL + Business Model), the cornerstone of Unisa's unique positioning, giving accessibility of its programs to the remotest parts of South Africa, the continent and the world.

Academic Partners has been exclusively mandated to identify and assess talent for the following key positions.

VICE PRINCIPAL: FINANCE AND UNISA BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (CFO)

• P2
• 5-YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT
• REFERENCE: AP1131

It is no secret, your outstanding leadership and business acumen is juxtaposed against exemplary technical experience spanning accounting, financial management, up to date familiarity with governance structures applicable to higher education and other relevant bodies and you have the ability and experience to manage a budget of over a billion rand. You thrive on developing financial systems, controls and audit and risks guidelines, while leading third-stream income initiatives, planned strategically and implemented with passion.

• Purpose to you is imperative. In this instance, it will be applying your innate ability to provide leadership and strategic direction in the provisioning of
• effective and efficient financial management, accounting and procurement services
• the generation of meaningful and sustainable third-stream income
• sound financial governance
• adherence to applicable legislation
• and ensuring your full portfolio is aligned to the Institution's Comprehensive Open Distance and e-Learning (CODeL) 2030 strategy.

Being a South African Chartered Accountant (CA[SA]), which is essential to this highly respected position, your Masters' Degree (or NQF Level 9) qualification sets the foundation to your professional status. Your familiarity with academia might mean you have gone on to complete a PhD, something that is preferred.

Of importance, you showcase a minimum of 10 years relevant experience, of which at least 5 years' experience has been in an executive or senior management role. Ideally some or all of your experience will have been gained in the Higher Education arena. You boast a track record of clean or unqualified audits, gained in a multi-transnational environment involving large, complex budgets.

Remuneration: Commensurate with the seniority and responsibilities of the position.

Assumption of duty: As soon as possible. Ready to co-lead in Southern Africa's largest university in the Southern hemisphere?

Please send a letter of motivation, together with your Curriculum Vitae to ***email_hidden*** If you have already made an application from the previous advert, you need not respond to this call as your application will automatically be considered. Closing date for applications is 04 October 2026.

UNISA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Appointments will be made in accordance with UNISA's Employment Equity Plan and applicable legislation. UNISA reserves the right not to make an appointment. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For further information please visit: https://www.executivetalenting.co.za/talent-registry/

All applications will be treated as strictly confidential. We correspond with all our candidates.