Campus Chief Director (Vanderbijlpark Campus) at North West University

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy Implementation and Institutional Alignment

• Lead the cascading of the institutional strategy across the assigned campus by developing and executing campus-specific operational plans aligned with NWU’s strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with the University’s executive leadership to ensure that campus-specific challenges and opportunities are considered in the broader institutional strategy.
• Develop actionable plans to close operational gaps, improve service delivery, and ensure that all campus functions support the university’s academic and strategic priorities.
• Regularly assess and mitigate risks, maintain emergency preparedness, and oversee the enforcement of health and safety plans.
• Proactively seek and implement innovative solutions and best practices to improve campus operations, ensuring these innovations align with the university’s long-term goals.
• Ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the campus ensuring seamless service delivery.
• Provide leadership and oversight for all campus operations, including events, ensuring efficient logistical coordination, resource management, and continuous operational excellence to support academic and administrative functions.
• Promote sustainable practices across campus operations, including energy management, waste reduction, and eco-friendly facilities management.
• Support university sustainability goals and encourage environmentally responsible behaviours throughout the campus community.
• Lead IT service delivery on campus, ensuring reliable, secure, and innovative digital solutions that enable teaching, learning, research, and administration.

Facilities and Infrastructure and fleet management

• Manage physical assets, engineering services, electronic infrastructure, and transport (fleet) services.
• Collaborate with the university’s leadership and facilities management teams to ensure that the campus’s long-term infrastructure planning (e.g., building projects, renovations, and expansions) aligns with the broader institutional strategy.
• Ensure that the approved maintenance plans are aligned to the maintenance requirements and needs of the campus buildings and infrastructure
• Collaborate with campus maintenance teams to develop and implement a proactive maintenance plan to ensure that facilities are kept in optimal condition and that infrastructure remains functional and safe, supporting the academic and operational needs of the university.
• Facilitate cross stakeholder involvement to ensure that maintenance plans are delivered in line with agreed Service Level Agreements.
• Approves events on campus and ensure that OHS and Safety measures are in place.
• Chair Campus Management Committees and report to UMC.

Protection Services and Security Management

• Collaborate with Protection Services to develop and implement a comprehensive campus security plan that is aligned with the University’s safety strategy, policies and risk management framework.
• Collaborate with Protection Services to assess and address campus-specific security needs, identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities unique to the campus.
• Establish short- and long-term security goals, with an emphasis on continuous improvement, emergency preparedness, and crime prevention.
• Align protection services with the University’s broader objectives, ensuring that security measures support academic and research activities without hindering accessibility, inclusivity, or the freedom of movement on campus.
• Develop and implement a campus-wide safety and security plan that addresses both immediate security concerns and long-term risks that will ensure the safety and protection of all students, staff, visitors and stakeholders on campus.
• Conduct regular security assessments to identify and evaluate risks, implementing proactive measures to mitigate potential security threats.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of emergency response and disaster preparedness plans, ensuring readiness for a wide range of potential incidents.
• Ensure compliance with all local laws, university regulations, and best practices related to campus security and emergency response.
• Serve as the campus liaison with local law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency response agencies to foster strong partnerships and coordinated responses to incidents.

Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) Optimisation 

• Collaborate with NWU management and the SHE department to develop, implement, and monitor campus-specific occupational health, safety, and environmental plan in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Support the development and effective execution of emergency response and crisis management plans to enable swift and coordinated handling of crises, contributing to a safe campus environment.
• Facilitate coordination with relevant departments to ensure a well-prepared response to emergencies and crises on the assigned campus.
• Monitor compliance with fire safety, hazardous waste, and other specialised safety measures in the campus.
• Collaborate in executing NWU’s environmental sustainability initiatives on the assigned campus, with a focus on ensuring compliance with legal standards, managing risks, and promoting reductions in carbon footprint and water usage.
• Oversee the coordination of the functioning of the Campus Healthcare Centre.
• Chair the campus OHS meetings and report to NWU SHE meetings.

Student Life, Healthcare and Wellness 

• Provide strategic leadership for student life programmes, including residences, societies, student leadership, and governance.
• Promote holistic engagement through inclusive recreational sport, arts, culture, media, and student development initiatives.
• Oversee campus wellness services, including healthcare centres, student counselling, disability support, and wellness programmes.
• Drive employee wellness initiatives that foster a healthy, inclusive, and supportive work environment.
• Ensure quality and impact through monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement of student life and wellness services.
• Strengthen partnerships with internal stakeholders and external entities to enhance service delivery and student experience.

Stakeholder Partnerships 

• Establish and maintain robust partnerships with key internal stakeholders, including academic leadership, student governance bodies, administrative departments, and service units to ensure seamless integration of academic, operational, and student life objectives.
• Act as the primary campus liaison for internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, local community members, and service providers. Ensure transparent, timely communication regarding campus developments, policies, and initiatives.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including occupational health and safety officers, law enforcement, and protection services, to develop and implement comprehensive safety and security strategies for the campus.
• Ensure good cross-campus collaboration and where necessary shared resources.  

Resource Management and Optimisation

• Lead the strategic planning and allocation of financial and human resources within the portfolio, ensuring alignment with university goals and priorities.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of the division’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability, accountability, and optimal use of resources.
• Manage the recruitment, development, and retention of staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment that supports staff growth and performance.
• Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the portfolio through effective financial planning, risk management, and the mobilisation of additional resources.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements in all resource management activities, maintaining transparency and integrity.
• Processes and systems design, utilisation, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development.
• Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance.

Minimum requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A master’s degree in a technical or commercial field or equivalent (NQF level 9).
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ proven experience in operational management or business process optimisation within a tertiary education environment, including areas such as campus management, facilities management and protection services.
• Extensive experience in managing diverse teams of at least 5 to 10 specialists, professionals or management.
• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement with demonstrated capability to engage across multiple stakeholders both internally and externally.                            

ADDED ADVANTAGES

• A PhD in a technical or commercial field or equivalent (NQF level 10).

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge and practical experience in managing operations within large, multi-dimensional organisations.
• Knowledge of continuous quality improvement management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of integrated business management principles and practices related to operations, facilities management, and security.
• Strategic Financial Management.
• Financial Planning and Analysis.
• Accounting and Reporting.
• Budget Management.
• Risk and Crisis Management.
• Strategic Vision.
• Leadership and Influence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem solving.
• Proficient in using modern office software, digital tools, and online platforms to enhance productivity and efficiency in daily tasks and decision-making.
• Knowledge of various campus operational functions.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to work effectively with other executives, departments, and external partners to achieve common financial and institutional goals.
• Skill in managing and resolving conflicts constructively, fostering a positive and cooperative working environment.
• Awareness of one's own emotions and the emotions of others, using this understanding to manage relationships and make empathetic decisions.
• Focus on achieving measurable outcomes and driving financial performance that supports the university’s strategic objectives.
• Competence in leading and managing financial changes, ensuring smooth transitions and effective adaptation to new processes or systems.
• Foster an inclusive culture by demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion thus creating a welcoming culture for staff and students.
• Understanding and commitment to the NWU values and the ability to be a credible and effective exponent of these values. 

CLOSING DATE: 15 August 2025