Academic Administration
Governance
Leadership and management
Executive Management Support
Doctorate Degree
Job overview
KPA 1) Campus strategy, academic leadership and management
- Ensure the execution of strategic and institutional planning documents for the Welkom campus through implementation of the repositioning and operations plan, monitoring and reporting.
- Ensure compliance to all relevant legislation, regulations, and national policy directives applicable in higher education at Welkom campus.
- Advise the Vice-Chancellor (VC) on management policies for Welkom campus to ensure compliance and effective implementation of CUT strategies and recommend management procedures to execute policies.
- Assist the VC to interface between the Council, Senate and Executive to ensure accountability in respect of financial and strategic governance and the academic project at the Welkom campus.
- Ensure integrated administration and management that supports the attainment of the mission and goals of the Welkom campus in conjunction with the CUT Executive.
- Provide reports on the implementation of the Welkom campus repositioning strategy and operations plan to the VC.
KPA 2) Financial management, governance and risk management
- Ensure that CUT’s financial systems are adequate for monitoring, controlling and planning purposes at Welkom campus.
- Ensure that appropriate budgeting, costing and pricing mechanisms are in place at the Welkom campus.
- Ensure that the financial resources at Welkom campus are used to provide a cost effective, customer-driven and high-quality service.
- Ensure that adequate controls and procedures are in place and well documented to record and protect the CUT’s assets at Welkom campus.
- Ensure that a risk management strategy and plan for Welkom campus is prepared and updated regularly.
- Provide financial input to the assessment of business cases for new opportunities at Welkom campus and ensure that proposals are appropriately evaluated.
- Ensure the highest standards of probity and encourage application of best practice in Welkom’s financial management system.
KPA 3) Corporate and academic services (operations and people)
- Ensure measures to continuously improve the quality and value of service units’ output and services provided by the Welkom campus, including:
a) Assisting with and co-ordinating the formulation of all service unit planning efforts;
b) Sustaining management standards and quality through comprehensive institutional quality assurance programmes;
c) Orientation of and direction to new employees including part time and fixed term employees with regards to the institutional direction and HR management expectations practices;
d) Performance management system implementation and monitoring for leadership and staff; and
e) Plan and regulate professional and personnel development opportunities for staff.
- Participate in the institutional transformation processes through support, motivation, communication and management of change at Welkom campus.
- Communication, interpretation and implementation of VC directives, Council decisions, Legislation, Government policy impacting on the academic affairs within a compliance framework.
- Ensure compilation of and implementation of compliance documents at Welkom campus where necessary in accordance with the Compliance Manual and Compliance Policy.
- Approve management and standard operating procedures at Welkom campus in accordance with approved CUT policies.
KPA 4) Stakeholder strategy, plan and management
- Liaise with key external stakeholders to strengthen engagement, partnerships and additional revenue streams at Welkom campus example:
a) National, provincial, regional and local government;
b) National and international tertiary / higher education institutions;
c) Business & industry sectors;
d) Funding Agencies & Foundations.
- Provide direction and leadership on all aspects of internal and external engagement at the Welkom campus in the various Faculties, academic and administrative entities of the University.
- Strengthen local and regional collaboration in enhancing economic development in the Northern Free State region.
KPA 5) Partnerships, strategy and revenue generation
- Develop, implement, and monitor Welkom campus partnership plan on local, regional and national collaborations in conjunction with the DVC Teaching and Learning and the DVC Research Innovation and Engagement.
- Develop and implement mechanisms for the effective oversight and coordinated management of all external communication and engagement with collaborative academic partners.
- Work with the DVC Teaching and Learning to ensure effective quality assurance and enhancement for all collaborative academic partnerships.
- Ensure that all collaborative academic partnerships developed, approved and delivered with national, regional and local partners are fully compliant with the appropriate CUT requirements for assurance of quality and standards.
- Develop and manage the financial arrangements for collaborative academic partnerships at Welkom campus with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and related divisions at the University.
- Ensure timely and accurate review and reporting on the financial arrangements for partnerships activity at Welkom campus.
- Research market trends to strategically drive the continuous review and development of partnership activity for Welkom campus.
Requirements
Minimum Qualification / Knowledge / Experience
- A Doctoral degree.
- Five (5) to eight (8) years’ knowledge of and experience in a multi-campus institution.
- Experience in a senior academic leadership role within a higher education institution.
- Demonstrated track record in managing a complex academic and administrative services portfolio, division or unit including comprehensive knowledge of faculty structures and Senate processes.
- Extensive experience in leading and managing an organisation’s academic strategy, administrative and operations and organisational performance.
- Demonstrated leadership and teamwork ability both intra-organizationally and externally.
- Demonstrated experience in visionary, strategic thinking, planning and operationalisation at an institutional or divisional level.
- Understand the policy, regulatory and development agenda within the higher education sector in South Africa.
- Extensive knowledge of strategic intent, tactics and operations of the university’s internal and external environment.
- Extensive knowledge in areas of leadership / strategy / management and research in a higher education environment.
Desired Qualification/ Knowledge / Experience
- Associate Professor level.
- A Doctoral degree and a strong research track record.
- NRF rating.
- Eight (8) to ten (10) years of knowledge and experience in a multi-campus institution.
- An individual who demonstrates emotional intelligence, is flexible, and change oriented.
- Demonstrated experience in third-stream income generation.
- An individual with an elevated level of personal motivation, energy, and enthusiasm.
- An individual who is resilient and able to work effectively under internal and external pressure.
- An ability to hold intellectual, critical conversations as a means of achieving mutually desired goals.
- An individual who demonstrates the ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared goals.
About the institution
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) is on a journey of institutional renewal and is steadfast in its pursuit of excellence as it embarks on a new strategic direction and the roll-out of a new Strategic Plan 2026-2030 aligned to its Vision 2030. The University wishes to invite applications for the strategic position of the Campus Principal: CUT Welkom Campus.
We are seeking a dynamic Campus Principal who will be instrumental in providing academic leadership at the Welkom campus. This individual will direct and manage the execution of the campus strategy, Welkom repositioning, operations, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with CUT’s institutional strategy and governance structures. The Campus Principal will play a key role in advancing CUT toward its 2030 Vision by fostering a vibrant, future-focused environment. This position will emphasize innovation, inclusivity, and excellence, while promoting collaboration with the Bloemfontein campus as part of our commitment as a unified University of Technology.
By aligning key strategic imperatives with CUT’s vision, mission, and values, the Campus Principal will drive initiatives that enhance student success, and societal impact. This role will champion the transformation agenda, a technology-enhanced approach, and staff development, positioning CUT as a leading university of technology that effectively meets the evolving demands of 21st-century higher education and works toward the achievement of CUT’s 2030 vision.
