We are seeking an experienced Executive Manager: Digital Services based in Pretoria. This senior leadership position serves as the delegated Information Officer in line with South African data privacy legislation and provides strategic leadership in driving digital transformation across the organisation.

The role is responsible for integrating digital knowledge, technologies, and skills into enabling policies, flexible architectures, and impactful initiatives, ensuring that information is managed as a strategic organisational asset. This includes leadership across ICT strategy, information governance, digital platforms, open science initiatives, and enterprise technology enablement.

What you'll do:

• Strategic Digital & ICT Leadership

  • Provide strategic leadership in the conceptualisation, implementation, and operationalisation of digital solutions aligned to the broader Digital Transformation Strategy
  • Develop, implement, and maintain the ICT Strategy as a statutory requirement and key enabler of the organisation’s overall strategy
  • Integrate ICT and information management strategies across the organisation to enable intelligent, integrated digital systems and tools
  • Drive the adoption of innovative technologies as business enablers across the organisation

• Information Management & Governance

  • Serve as the delegated Information Officer in accordance with POPIA and PAIA
  • Ensure information management policies are reviewed regularly and aligned with best practice
  • Proactively protect organisational information and knowledge as strategic assets
  • Review and update the Records and Information Management Strategy in line with:
    • National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA)
    • National Heritage Resources Act

• Digital Platforms, Infrastructure & Standards

  • Envision, design, and deliver technology infrastructure, platforms, solutions, and services that meet organisation?wide knowledge and information management needs
  • Drive and maintain a robust technology standardisation programme aligned to the ICT strategy and vision
  • Support the implementation and optimisation of ERP systems and bespoke integrated digital solutions

• Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement

  • Continue high?level engagement with international counterparts (e.g. OA2020, MPDL, Plan S, cOAlition S) on issues such as:
    • Equitable costing models
    • Responsible research assessment
    • Research incentives
  • Collaborate with South African entities responsible for Open Science and Open Access policy development
  • Participate in and support continental initiatives through AOSP and SGCI
  • Lead the drive toward a stable and scalable African Open Science Platform (AOSP) by engaging key stakeholders such as TENET and SANReN

• Operational & Executive Management

  • Operationalise departmental business plans through effective delegation and empowerment
  • Provide strategic oversight of financial resourcing and ICT risk management
  • Lead human resource, talent management, and change management initiatives within the digital services function

Your Expertise:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in ICT and information management
• At least 5 years’ experience in senior technology management roles
• Experience in:
  • Business continuity and cyber security
  • Strategy development and implementation
  • Business planning and execution
  • Strategic and operational management
  • Policy development and governance
  • Risk, financial, and resource management
  • Human resource and talent management
  • Change management
  • Advanced project management
  • Stakeholder engagement at executive level

Qualifications & Certifications

• Master’s degree in Information and Communication Technology or a related field (NQF Level 9)
• Data, Information, or Cyber Security certification is advantageous (e.g. CISM, CISSP, CDMP, CDPSE)

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong technology and digital transformation leadership
• Superior interpersonal, negotiation, and stakeholder?management skills
• Advanced verbal, written, and presentation abilities
• Excellent problem?solving and analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative)
• Advanced computer proficiency, including data and analytics software
• Strong organisational knowledge and information management capability
• High standards of customer service orientation

Knowledge & Regulatory Awareness

• Understanding of the South African Higher Education System
• Knowledge of the South African National System of Innovation
• In?depth understanding of relevant legislation and best practice, including:
  • POPI Act, PAIA
  • GDPR (where applicable)
  • PFMA
  • King IV/V Reports on Corporate Governance
  • Companies Act
  • National Treasury and DPME prescripts
• Familiarity with labour legislation and public?sector management practices
• Strong understanding of managing knowledge and information as a strategic asset in a knowledge?based organisation

Other information applicable to the opportunity:

• Contract duration: 12 months
• Location: Pretoria