Programme Manager – (Pre-Clinical Diagnostics Innovation Pipeline - 1 Year Contract - Wits DIH)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• The Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub (DIH) is a division of Wits Health Consortium
• Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences
• WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives. In addition, WHC offers a range of products and services to Academics

POSITION INFO:
Division: Wits Diagnostic and Innovation Hub

Main purpose of the job:

• To lead the strategic and operational management of a preclinical diagnostics innovation pipeline
• To overseeing multiple technologies per year in various stages of product development targeting priority diseases
• This role is central to driving innovation, ensuring alignment across evolving technologies, and fostering collaboration with industry, academia, funders, regulators, implementers and public health stakeholders

• WDIH – Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown

• Work with a team of research and development scientists to manage end-to-end lifecycle of multiple diagnostic technologies, ensuring timely progression from concept to readiness
• Lead annual planning sessions and quarterly programmatic reviews to align stakeholders, assess progress, and refine strategic direction
• Facilitate monthly team syncs and ensure consistent execution across scientific, regulatory, and commercialization workstreams
• Serve as the primary liaison with industry partners, managing contractual negotiations, regulatory alignment, and collaborative development efforts
• Track timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables across a dynamic and evolving portfolio of technologies
• Engage with funders, government departments, academic institutions, and commercialization partners to ensure strategic coherence and impact
• Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and updates for internal leadership and external stakeholders

• Master's Degree or an Advanced Degree in Business Administration, Public Health, Biological Sciences, or related field

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Program or Portfolio Management within Diagnostics, Global Health, or Medical Technology Sectors

• Demonstrated success in managing complex diagnostic innovation pipelines and multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Strong understanding of product development life cycle, laboratory and clinical evaluation processes, regulatory pathways, and commercialization strategies
• Experience with grant-funded programs, including donor reporting and strategic planning
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, leadership skills and writing ability, with advanced Microsoft Office skills
• Self-motivated, result driven and collaborative spirit to engage multiple cadres of project staff
• Positive, energetic team leader with an ability to adapt to complex situations and willing to take initiative
• Knowledge of the South African healthcare and laboratory landscape
• Ability to travel to stakeholder meetings including internationally
• Passion for equitable healthcare access and innovation in low-resource settings

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 17 November 2025
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position