Job Description

Duties/Pligte

The DVC: Academic assumes overarching responsibility for:

Providing academic leadership that advances excellence, inclusivity, innovation and renewal in learning and teaching. Developing and implementing strategies aligned with SU's Vision 2040 and relevant strategic frameworks to strengthen academic coherence, relevance, and quality. Positioning learning and teaching as central to the University's contribution to society, and promoting synergy between research, teaching, learning, and social impact. Leading academic planning, curriculum renewal, and quality assurance, including liaising with relevant regulatory, accreditation, and endorsement bodies, to ensure that programmes remain responsive to national priorities and global trends, promoting graduate employability. Overseeing strategic enrolment management, from recruitment and admission through student progression and success, in alignment with institutional capacity, transformation, and sustainability goals. Developing and driving strategies for continuous learning, hybrid learning, online learning, short courses, and micro-credentialling. Fostering a transformative academic culture that promotes belonging, wellbeing, academic achievement and holistic student support and success across the undergraduate and postgraduate continuum. Guiding decisions on the size, shape, and differentiation of the academic portfolio to support institutional sustainability and growth. Strengthening the integration of academic planning with resource allocation, infrastructure planning, and human-capital development. Advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning and promoting innovative, technology-enhanced pedagogies. Strengthening private and public partnerships with faculties, professional services, and external stakeholders to enhance academic impact and social relevance. Ensuring effective stewardship of people, finances, and other resources within the academic environment.


Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes
Currently a professor eligible for appointment as full Professor at Stellenbosch University and having an acknowledged academic standing. At least five years' experience in senior executive leadership in an academic institution of comparable scale and complexity. Proven management experience in a large, multifaceted academic environment. Proven capacity to provide dynamic, strategic, and visionary leadership in the areas of responsibility. A solid understanding of the South African and international higher education system, contexts and trends. Proven ability to develop and sustain strategically relevant institutional partnerships and alliances at national and international levels. Excellent communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills within a diverse academic environment. Strong interpersonal relations and the ability to lead collaboratively within a senior management team. Proven commitment to institutional transformation and redress through, among others, the diversification of staff and student communities. The ability to function effectively within a multilingual and multicultural environment, in accordance with the University's language policy. The ability to represent the University's academic interests at local, regional, national, and international levels. International experience and qualifications will be an added advantage.

As part of the interview process, provisionally shortlisted candidates will be expected to deliver a short presentation to the Senior Appointments Committee. The topic of the presentation will be shared with the provisionally shortlisted candidates. Applicants on the final shortlist will be required to present to Senate and IF, and Council.

Term of Office:

The appointment is for a five (5) year fixed term with the possibility of reappointment for a further term. A fallback option to the successful candidate's academic department exists.


Recommendation/Aanbeveling None