Job Description

Purpose
The Director reports to the Dean of the Faculty and is responsible to successfully deliver the Centre's strategic direction in alignment with the strategic imperatives of the Faculty. The Director manages the activities and guides the overall development of the Centre, including reporting on the activities and progress of the Centre as per the annual performance plan. The Director is financially accountable for the Centre's budget and is a member of the Faculty Management Committee, Faculty Board and Faculty Committee/s.
Minimum Responsibilities

• PhD/Doctorate in relevant discipline.
• Six years relevant academic management and leadership experience.
• Proven track record in teaching, research (including publications in accredited journals) and community engagement.
• Proven track record of supervising postgraduate students at Master's and/or Doctoral level.
• Evidence of successful curriculum development.
• High academic and professional standing in the field of expertise and high academic credibility amongst peers.
• Strategic planning and implementation experience.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing quality assurance requirements.
• High levels of computer literacy including the ability to work with spreadsheets.

Duties and responsibilities.
Provision of strategic leadership to the Faculty

• Develop and deliver a vision for the Centre aligned to the Faculty strategic objectives.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Centre, embracing the range of research themes in the Centre, by providing a coherent vision for research and entrepreneurship development accordingly.
• Identify, promote, and contribute resources to develop the research strengths and broader research portfolio of the Centre.
• Identify and support opportunities for research through multi-disciplinary collaboration.

• Act as an ambassador for the Centre, raising its profile externally and internationally.
• Actively market and promote the Centre.
• Membership of Faculty Board, Faculty Management Committee, Faculty Committee on Research and Senate.
• Oversee all entrepreneurship development activities at SPU.
• Plan, co-ordinate, oversee and report on all activities of the Economic Activation Office.

Research

• Manage projects to achieve objectives.
• Commercialisation of research output.
• Provide guidance and assistance on research matters by producing recent quality publications in peer- reviewed accredited journals or other equivalent outputs within the field of entrepreneurship.

Quality assurance and risk management

• Audit and assurance.
• Implementation of the quality assurance standards/ measures to meet both internally set standards and the requirements of external bodies.
• Preparing the relevant reports and documents necessary for the carrying out of an effective and efficient audit process.
• Making sure that the relevant audit authorities have timely access to the financial records and all relevant information of the Centre to enable them to perform their respective functions.
• Analysing the reports and advice of the relevant audit authorities and providing appropriate management responses.

Risk management
Guides the management of risks in the Centre by:

• Contributing to and establishment and maintenance of effective, efficient and transparent systems for risk management and internal control.
• Contributing to and implementing a risk management and prevention plan including risk assessments.
• Provide risk reporting.
• Implement plans for identified risks.
• Oversee the identification and avoidance of all risk elements in the Centre's activities.

Occupational health and safety

• Ensure compliance with SHE policies and procedures.

Resource management: Human resource management

• Lead, manage and develop direct reports.
• Revisit structures for its appropriateness to assist the Centre in achieving its strategic priorities.
• Develop the Centre's workforce plans together with HR to ensure adequate resource planning, budgeted and are aligned to transformation targets.
• Drive the recruitment and selection process for direct reports.
• Support the achievement of equity targets and the transformation of the institutional culture.
• Oversee the induction and probation of all new staff.
• Drive performance contracts and regular reviews for all staff.
• Train all staff on performance management process and system.
• Implement performance contracts for all staff and ensure regular reviews.
• Lead the staff development conversations and development plans.
• Develop a budget for training needs.
• Drive and promote sound employment relations.
• Human resource administration.
• Manage staff leave as per SPU policy.
• Sign off relevant documentation needed.

Develop the Centre's budget and provide sound financial management
Prepare and report on:

• Annual staffing and operating budget and capex.
• Manage expenditure according to the approved annual budget.
• Asset management.

Keep abreast of developments within own field of study and its implications for teaching and learning, community engagement, research, and programme development.

• Keep abreast of developments in professional conduct at SPU.
• Register as a member of professional bodies to keep abreast of all developments (where appropriate).
• Engage in professional development activities as required by professional body.
• Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Present research study papers at conferences.
• Teach relevant modules and short courses as and when required.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Develop relevant reports as and when required.
• Research and implement best practices.
• Analyses statistical data to generate appropriate proactive responses.
• Submits additional reports/data as required by legislation and/or the University.
• Ensure that the Centre's Advisory Board meets and receives regular reports on progress and that the advice of the IAB is considered in formulating the Centre's plan.

Enquiries can be made via email at
Assumption of duties: As mutually agreed to upon acceptance of the appointment. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. This position may be subjected to assessments.
Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Note: Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is dedicated to meeting its Employment Equity targets.