SUMMARY:
1. Facilitate strategic coordination, coherence, and cross-functionality across the complex People a

POSITION INFO:

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The purpose of the position is to:

1. Provide a central strategic integration, orchestration, and coordination function for high-priority programmes, projects and special assignments in the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor: People and Operations.
2. Ensure alignment with university strategy, effective cross-portfolio collaboration and timely execution of projects that advance the University’s effectiveness, transformation, and sustainability.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

1. Facilitate strategic coordination, coherence, and cross-functionality across the complex People and Operations portfolio with respect to approved integrated strategic priority programmes and projects.
2. Orchestrate the fusion and integration as well as alignment of planning, execution, monitoring, reporting and organisational reflexivity with respect to approved on all approved Catalytic High Impact Priority Programmes within the Portfolio
3. Mobilise and / or provide specialist capacity support in areas such as integrated policy development and review, service excellence, research, and innovation.
4. Develop Business Cases / funding proposals as well as infusing project management best practices in planning and executing projects identified by the Portfolio.
5. Develop, maintain, cascade, and renew fit for purpose and adaptive project management capabilities and systems within the Portfolio and in consultation with Divisional Heads, source capacity to speed up delivery of projects.
6. Support designated project champions in each Division with project capability development, including training and tooling.
7. Support the Portfolio leadership (Senior Directors and the DVC) in collating project information and preparation of reports to various stakeholders and governance structures.
8. Lead and manage special strategic assignments on behalf of the DVC, including diagnostic studies, turnaround initiatives, and priority interventions

Core Competencies:

• Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated strategic leadership with the ability to conceptualize and integrate strategic transformative pathways.
• Growth Mindset: A continuous improvement mindset that an innovative leader with a bias for enhancing operational efficiency and institutional growth.
• Technical expertise and ability to research and propose integrative systems, technologies and platforms that advance the work of the People and Operations Portfolio.
• Change Leadership: A strong track record of successfully leading large-scale organisational change initiatives, orchestrating, and integrating work from various disciplines and portfolios.
• Programme and Project Management: Mastery in programme and project management, ensuring integration in the conceptualization to delivery of complex projects.
• Collaboration and Influencing Skills: Exceptional communication, consultation and collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and build strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Policy Development: Experience with policy development and review with a view to ensure compliance and coherence.
• Financial management: Financial acumen with experience in budgeting, procurement and the strategic allocation of ICT resources to maximize return on investment and cost-effectiveness.
• Analytical and Critical-thinking capabilities: Strong analytical and critical thinking capabilities in collaboratively aiding solutions to complex portfolio challenges.
• Extensive experience in Governance Risk and Compliance with proven ability in policy development, strategic planning, and risk management in complex and dynamic environments.

• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to interact with senior leadership across all portfolios.

REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree
• Minimum 10 years extensive experience in senior executive management level
• Proven track record in leading multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams, impactful stakeholder engagement, mobilization, renewal, and sustainance of strategic – oriented partnerships

DISCLAIMER: Nelson Mandela University reserves the right not to make an appointment. In considering candidates for appointment into the advertised posts, preference will be accorded to persons from a designated group in accordance with the approved Nelson Mandela University Employment Equity Plan. No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 05 June 2026.