Position Title: Maker Space Manager

Requisition ID: 1297

Department: Centre for Higher Educ Dev

City: Cape Town

MAKER SPACE MANAGER

(Payclass 11; 5-year contract)

Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika

CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT is an education, training and research school that offers programmes in design led thinking to undergraduate and post graduate students who are registered at UCT. The school also offers executive professional programmes to the private and public sectors as well as community-based development practitioners. The d-school‘s overall objective is to promote, train and capacitate individuals and organisations in the practice of design thinking as an enabler of innovation and new outcomes that can meet the needs of users in complex socio-political and economic contexts.

The Maker Space Manager at the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT is responsible for creating and nurturing an innovative environment where students can transform creative ideas into tangible prototypes and products. This role involves managing and maintaining a dynamic makerspace equipped with both traditional and cutting-edge tools, materials, and technologies. The Manager will facilitate hands-on design, fabrication, tinkering, and learning by providing technical support, coordinating multidisciplinary collaborations, and fostering an inclusive community of makers. By connecting with the d-school’s programme curriculum and existing creation and innovation spaces across UCT, the Maker Space Manager will inspire cross-disciplinary projects and events that encourage experimentation, knowledge sharing, and inventive problem-solving.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ROLE:

Relevant NQF6 qualification. This could be in a trade, education, design or STEAM related field
At least 7 years’ experience working in a maker space or similar hands-on creative/design/innovation environment, ideally within a Higher Education institution, of which 2 years in a management role
Proven experience in both analogue and digital fabrication equipment and making/prototyping
Technical (mechanical and electrical) skills (such as the operation and maintenance of machine shop equipment)
Possess design software skills (such as Solidworks, AutoCAD, CAM). Ability to work from technical drawings and computer aided design research and practice
Knowledge of fabrication techniques in maker spaces
Strong knowledge of fabrication machinery such as 3D printers, CNC machinery, laser cutters
Ability to work across disciplines
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to equipment and machinery

THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS:

NQF7 or higher qualification
Teaching experience within a makerspace environment

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Create, design and develop maker space crafts with students, staff and the broader University environment. Stay up to date with the latest fabrication and prototyping methods while developing programmes for students and users
Train makers and students on the use of equipment and tools. Create SOPs for operation of equipment
Partnerships and collaboration – Build and foster relationships with d-school departments, other UCT departments and our broader community to encourage the use the of the maker space
Operations Management – Provide operational support and oversight of the physical maker space
Finance Management – ensure adherence to operational budgets
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting – Ensure compliance with applicable UCT policies, SOP’s and protocols

To apply, please visit the UCT Jobs Site (www.jobs.uct.ac.za) 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 speaks to the specific requirements 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 will be required to undergo a medical assessment. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R 812 303,00 and R 955 647,00.

Any inquiries for this position are to be addressed to Ms. Natasha Khan at natasha.khan@uct.ac.za or 021 650 3469. Please do not send or submit job application/CV via this e-mail.

Closing Date: 7th April 2026 Website: www.hr.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.

When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks.

For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email popia@uct.ac.za.

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.