Position Title: Director of Operations, Dean's Office, Faculty of Humanities

Requisition ID: 900

Department: Faculty of Humanities

City: Cape Town

Director: Faculty Operations

Dean’s Office PayClass 13 (4)

Faculty of Humanities

The Humanities Faculty is the largest Faculty in the University, comprising 19 departments located in three main clusters: the Arts, the Social Sciences and the Performing and Creative Arts. The Director: Faculty Operations is a member of the Humanities Faculty Executive Committee and has both external and internal responsibilities in the faculty and university. This post is a key support role to the Dean, who manages and leads the Faculty.

The main purpose of this position is to provide strategic and effective leadership in the planning, management and oversight of the Faculty’s resources through a transformed and sustainable operation that is in line with the Faculty’s vision and long-term goals. This is necessary to ensure that the Faculty has the proper systems and controls in place for efficient and effective operation that are guided by sound legal considerations and business management approaches so as to support the delivery of the Faculty’s Strategy.

Reporting to the Dean of Humanities, the primary aim of this position is to manage operational excellence. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with other portfolios within the Deanery and service departments of the university to provide executive oversight for the cluster of activities related to all operational functions, including IT, Support Services, Finance, Human Resources. The portfolio includes the line reports for the Health and Safety Specialist, IT Manager, Marketing Manager, with dotted line oversight of academic administration.

The scope of the Faculty operations encompasses approximately 8000 students (5500 undergraduate and 2500 postgraduate students), and approximately 450 staff on UCT conditions of service. The Faculty has a General Operating Budget (GOB) expenditure (budget) of R500 million rand and a research income of R150 million.

If you can multi-task while remaining calm, can focus on details while understanding broader policies and frameworks, and meet the requirements below, we invite you to apply for this permanent position for appointment on 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

REQUIREMENTS:

A Master’s qualification (NQF9)
10 years management experience of which 5 years at a senior level
Proven experience of staff management and HR relations
Understanding of IT service management and adult learning in relation to technology
Knowledge of health and safety policies and protocols
Experience of planning and budgeting
Financial and budget management experience
Proven experience in project management
Demonstrated track record of managing complex portfolios
Change management experience and/or design thinking experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Understanding of the higher education environment

THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS:

5 years’ experience of higher education institutions
Working knowledge of core functions and governance in higher education

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic input into policies and processes relating to Faculty resources
Oversight of finance and budgets in the Faculty related to the role
Management of HR related matters for administrative staff
Oversight of IT, marketing, communications, and alumni relations in the Faculty
Responsible for health and safety matters in the Faculty
Responsible for the Faculty risk management and business continuity strategies
Oversight of space allocation in the Faculty

The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R 1 600 267 and R 1 882 670

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs Site (www.jobs.uct.ac.za). View (For Internal Applicants) and View For external Applicants) to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Motivation/Cover letter that details and speaks to the specific requirements and outputs of the position.
Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number.

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency assessments and references may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries for the position to be addressed to Mr Ian Petersen at Ian.Petersen@uct.ac.za or 021 650 2163.

Closing date: 10th January 2025

Website: www.humanities.uct.ac.za

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at https://uct.ac.za/media/9482.

UCT reserves the right not to appoint.