Role Purpose

To provide strategic and operational leadership of the academic function, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning, regulatory compliance, student success, staff performance, and overall campus profitability. The role integrates academic management, people leadership, quality assurance, and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Academic Leadership & Delivery

• Manage the full academic portfolio (training delivery, lectures, assessments, events, and academic projects).

• Ensure implementation of all academic activities and adherence to academic calendars and year planners.

• Monitor teaching and learning quality through regular evaluations and classroom observations.

• Drive student success through pass-rate analysis, throughput tracking, and at-risk intervention strategies.

• Oversee blended learning implementation and ensure world-class delivery standards.

• Ensure student portal content availability, access tracking, and usage monitoring.

2. Staff Recruitment & Management

• Recruit, onboard, supervise, and performance-manage academic staff.

• Conduct performance reviews and implement development plans.

• Lead and chair disciplinary processes where required.

3. Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Prepare the campus for internal and external audits.

• Conduct quarterly academic quality audits.

• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.

• Liaise with external regulatory bodies including:

  • QCTO

  • DHET

  • Relevant SETA

4. Student Academic Management

• Manage student academic performance, support plans, and conduct issues.

• Oversee disciplinary hearings in line with the Campus Code of Conduct.

• Ensure customer satisfaction and an excellent student experience.

5. Project & Programme Management

• Manage qualifications from implementation through to graduation.

• Ensure correct rollout, scheduling, assessment, moderation, and certification processes.

6. Operational & Financial Management

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the campus.

• Manage departmental budgets and control expenses.

• Drive campus profitability, retention, and rollover ratios.

• Develop and implement corrective action plans where targets are not met.

7. Procurement & Administration

• Manage procurement processes (purchase orders, requisitions, and reconciliations).

• Conduct Health & Safety checks and fire drills in line with compliance standards.

8. Stakeholder & Cross-Departmental Support

• Support Sales, Marketing, and Finance functions where required.

• Lead community engagement initiatives and academic events.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Pass rates and throughput rates

• Student retention and rollover ratios

• Audit outcomes and compliance status

• Lecturer performance and student satisfaction

• Campus profitability and cost control

• Programme rollout within accreditation requirements

Minimum Requirements Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, HRD, Business, or related field

• Postgraduate qualification in Learning & Development / Education / Management (advantageous)

Experience

• 5–8 years in academic management / L&D / TVET / private higher education

• Proven staff leadership and performance management experience

• Strong quality assurance and regulatory liaison exposure

• Budget and operational management experience

Technical Competencies

• Academic programme and project management

• Learning Management Systems / student portals

• Data analysis for pass rates and performance tracking

• Quality assurance frameworks

• Blended learning methodologies

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic leadership

• Strong decision-making and accountability

• High attention to detail and compliance focus

• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management

• Commercial and operational acumen

Additional Information

• This role includes adhoc duties in line with business requirements.

• May require extended hours during audits, graduations, and peak academic cycles.