Port Elizabeth: Senior Director: Transdisciplinary Ocean Sciences Programme

About the Role

The Senior Director position is a key leadership role in the Transdisciplinary Ocean Sciences Programme, responsible for driving strategic vision, management, and growth of the programme. The successful candidate will be expected to lead and manage various aspects of the programme, foster collaboration with stakeholders, and drive innovation and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary, strategic, transformational, and transformative leadership and management of Ocean Sciences as a transversal priority.
• Coordinate and facilitate a transdisciplinary approach to ocean sciences learning and teaching, under- and postgraduate programme and curriculum development, and short learning programmes in collaboration with the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, all faculties, entities and Research Chairs.
• Coordinate and facilitate transdisciplinary Ocean Sciences research, postgraduate studies, innovation, and internationalisation in collaboration with the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, all faculties, entities and research chairs.
• Strategically direct and manage collaborative transdisciplinary engagements, networks and partnerships in ocean sciences with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders nationally, on the African continent, and internationally in collaboration with the Deputy Vice-Chancellors and all faculties, entities and Research Chairs.
• Strategically direct and manage human, financial, and infrastructural (physical and digital) resources for ocean sciences in close collaboration with the Ocean Sciences Stakeholder Forum and relevant MANCO portfolios.
• Strategically direct and manage the branding and strategic positioning of Transdisciplinary Ocean Sciences Programme through impactful outreach, stakeholder engagement, communication, and marketing.
• Advance the long-term sustainability of the Programme through innovative, strategy-aligned resource mobilisation, budgeting and stewardship.

Requirements

• Proven experience in leadership and management roles, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Strong understanding of ocean sciences and its relevance to South Africa and the African continent.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to drive strategic vision and innovation in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make informed decisions.

Qualifications

• A relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g. MBA, MSc) or equivalent experience.
• A strong track record of leadership and management experience in higher education or a related field.
• Experience in managing budgets and resources, preferably in an academic setting.

Salary & Benefits

Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.