Academic Governance, Advancement and Operations Partner at Lyceum College

About the role

• Lyceum College invites applications for the position of Academic Governance, Advancement and Operations Partner, based in the Office of the Chief Academic Officer at the Randburg Head Office. The role exists to convert executive direction, Senate resolutions and institutional priorities into coordinated delivery across the College
• The incumbent provides legally informed governance advice, coordinates the implementation of strategic initiatives, monitors institutional commitments and maintains oversight of matters sponsored by the Office of the Chief Academic Officer. The work spans Senate and committee governance, regulatory advisory support in relation to the Higher Education Act and the requirements of the Council on Higher Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training and the South African Qualifications Authority, and drafting to an executive standard for Senate, Council and Executive Management.
• This is a governance and execution role rather than a project management or compliance post. Ownership of the specialist Legal, Compliance, Quality Assurance and Academic Planning functions remains vested in those portfolios. The successful candidate works alongside the Academic Liaison Lead in a collaborative relationship and does not replace that role. The position is suited to a candidate who is comfortable exercising influence without formal authority, and who can hold institutional momentum on the priorities of the Chief Academic Officer.

What the role involves

• Providing governance support to the Chief Academic Officer across Senate, Senate committees and executive committees, and maintaining accurate governance records, decision registers and action trackers.
• Monitoring the implementation of Senate resolutions and directives issued by the Chief Academic Officer, and driving these to closure within assigned timeframes.
• Translating the strategic priorities of the Office of the Chief Academic Officer into executable workstreams, and coordinating delivery across faculties and professional support divisions.
• Identifying implementation risks, bottlenecks and dependencies before they affect delivery, and escalating material governance risk in writing.
• Interpreting academic regulatory requirements for executive decision making, and advising on the governance implications of institutional decisions.
• Investigating and clarifying matters referred by the Chief Academic Officer that carry a governance or regulatory dimension, and recommending appropriate institutional responses.
• Drafting and reviewing Senate papers, committee submissions, governance frameworks, academic policies, executive memoranda, briefing notes, position papers and regulatory correspondence.
• Preparing implementation dashboards, governance reporting and presentations for Senate, Council and Executive Management.
• Coordinating institutional responses to regulatory engagements and supporting institutional governance reviews.
• Building effective working relationships across academic and professional support divisions, and resolving implementation barriers through stakeholder engagement.

Requirements

Minimum requirements

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or a recognised law related degree supported by substantial exposure to academic governance, regulatory affairs or higher education legal matters.
• At least five years of experience in higher education governance, academic administration, executive office support, legal advisory work or institutional governance.
• Demonstrated experience in Senate or committee administration, academic policy development, regulatory interpretation, executive reporting and cross functional coordination.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Higher Education Act, the policy framework of the Council on Higher Education, the regulatory requirements of the Department of Higher Education and Training, the South African Qualifications Authority framework and the National Qualifications Framework.
• Sound understanding of institutional and Senate governance, committee procedure, corporate governance principles and administrative law.
• Writing, drafting, reporting and presentation capability at executive standard, supported by demonstrable policy drafting experience.
• Proven discretion in the handling of confidential governance matters, and the ability to sustain accuracy and composure during peak Senate, committee and accreditation cycles

Advantageous

• A postgraduate qualification in higher education, corporate governance, compliance or project management.
• Experience within a private higher education institution, particularly in distance or online delivery.
• Working knowledge of academic quality assurance, strategic planning and risk management principles.
• Experience in preparing submissions to the Council on Higher Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training or the South African Qualifications Authority.

Reporting lines and limits of authority

• The position reports to the Chief Academic Officer. A secondary collaborative line runs to the Academic Liaison Lead, from whom operational work may also be directed. The two roles are complementary and each is expected to draw on the expertise of the other. The incumbent works closely with the Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance, Legal, Governance and Compliance Associate, the Academic Planning and Innovation Lead, the Quality Assurance Manager, the Registrar and Heads of Faculty, and engages externally with regulators, professional bodies and industry partners as directed.
• The incumbent is not authorised to issue legal opinions on behalf of the College, make regulatory determinations, exercise disciplinary authority, commit institutional resources outside delegated authority, or override decisions of Senate, Council or Executive Management. The position carries no direct reports.

Why Join Lyceum College?

• The successful candidate will have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of future educators while participating in curriculum innovation, academic governance, research and the continued enhancement of the College’s teacher education provision.
• This role is suited to an academic who is equally comfortable in the classroom, in programme leadership, in student support and within the regulatory and quality-assurance environment of higher education.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.