Chief Officer: Talent and Employability Development (Post Level 8) (Job ID: 6586) - (2266) at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:
Project and Operational Management

• Lead the conceptualisation and execution of innovative career development and employability initiatives that respond to the evolving labour market. 
• Contribute to the strategic leadership for the design, implementation, and continuous development of all Talent and Employability Development (TED) programmes, projects, and services.
• Co-develop and implement a comprehensive annual Talent and Employability Development operational strategy aligned with institutional and CTL priorities, student success objectives, and employability outcomes.
• Ensure TED initiatives support the institution’s broader mission of graduate employability, societal impact, and responsible global citizenship.
• Drive the integration of national and global career development practices into institutional programming and student development initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of institutional Work Integrated Learning (WIL) initiatives.
• Participate in institutional task teams that lead the work of WIL, employability and career development. 
• Lead, manage and supervise the Talent and Employability: Career Services team. 
• Lead the human resources processes related to recruitment, onboarding, performance management and leave when necessary.

Internal and External Relations

• Establish, cultivate, and sustain strategic partnerships with employer partners, industry partners, professional bodies, and external stakeholders locally, nationally, and globally.
• Serve as the primary institutional liaison for employers engaging with TED and student recruitment initiatives.
• Develop employer engagement strategies that expand internship, graduate employment, and experiential learning opportunities for students. 
• Facilitate employer participation in career fairs, networking events, industry engagement programmes, and recruitment initiatives.

Strategy and Operational Support

• Lead the development and delivery of comprehensive initiatives and activities (Educate, Engage and Enterprise) that prepare students for successful transitions into employment.
• Design and facilitate career readiness initiatives, including workshops, career weeks, employability training, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure students have access to current information and resources related to career pathways, labour market trends, and professional opportunities. 
• Promote student engagement in career development initiatives through targeted outreach and collaboration with faculties and student communities.
• Oversee student-focused initiatives and other peer-led employability initiatives where applicable.
• Collaborate with other Student Success as well as Learning and Teaching programmes and services in the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in optimising efforts related to student learning, development and employability. 
• Oversee the operational budgeting and expenditure tracking as it related to TED: Career Services. 

Research and professional engagement

• Monitor national and global trends in career development, employability, student success and higher education to inform programme innovation.
• Engage with professional networks, research initiatives, and sector collaborations related to career development and graduate employability.
• Identify opportunities for institutional participation in national and international career development and employability initiatives, partnerships, and benchmarking activities.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the effectiveness and impact of TED programmes and initiatives.
• Maintain quality assurance across all TED activities, events, and student engagement programmes.
• Compile institutional reports, strategic insights, and annual reviews related to TED activities and outcomes.
• Utilise data and feedback to inform programme improvements and strategic decision-making.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma or B.Tech/Postgraduate qualification on NQF Level 7 in Career Development, Psychology, Education, Higher Education, Human Resource Development, Student Development, Social Sciences or a related field.  
• A minimum of three (3) years’ relevant working experience in a company and/or student relations services related to career development/advising support. 
• A minimum of two(2) years’ experience working in or with higher education institutions.
• Experience in supervising staff and/or leading programmes, projects or services.

Recommendations:

• Honors degree/Postgraduate Diploma (NQF Level 8) or higher.
• Knowledge of Higher Education Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Professional training in academic and/or career advising (i.e. AAPD SLP and any similar)(attach proof).
• Member of a professional career advising/development body (attach proof).

Competencies
Required competencies: 
Results Orientated:

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations. 
• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
• The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.

Leading:

• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others. 
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:

• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
• The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration and working with close supervision. 

Closing date:
7 September 2026