Deputy Head of Faculty at Lyceum College

Purpose of the Role

• The Deputy Head of Faculty is a senior academic leadership role that combines active faculty governance, programme coordination, and lecturing responsibilities. The incumbent supports the Head of Faculty in the day-to-day leadership and management of the Faculty, assumes full acting authority in the Head’s absence, and ensures that governance, compliance, and academic delivery within the Faculty remain stable and effective at all times.
• This is a substantive academic role, not a stand-in arrangement. The Deputy Head will hold responsibility for an assigned programme or programmes, carry an active lecturing load within their field of Commerce, Humanities or Education expertise, and serve as a reliable point of leadership authority for staff, students, and institutional structures. The role is central to the College’s deliberate effort to build a pipeline of faculty-level academic leadership from within, and to ensure meaningful succession planning and institutional resilience across all faculties.

Key Performance Areas

Acting Faculty Leadership and Continuity   (15%)

• Assume full delegated authority as Acting Head of Faculty in the Head’s absence, ensuring uninterrupted leadership across all faculty functions.
• Manage sensitive and high-level matters requiring appropriate institutional authority during periods of Head unavailability.
• Participate in governance structures as the Faculty’s representative when acting in the Head’s capacity.
• Support the Head of Faculty in strategic planning and the day-to-day management of Faculty operations.
• Contribute to a culture of stability, continuity, and high performance within the Faculty.

Programme Coordination   (15%)

• Take full ownership of an assigned programme or programmes within the Faculty, with responsibility for coordinated delivery from intake to graduation.
• Monitor student academic progress, identify at-risk students, and coordinate appropriate academic support interventions.
• Oversee the moderation process for the assigned programme, ensuring assessment tasks, marking, and feedback meet institutional and regulatory standards.
• Liaise with the Registrar, student services, and administrative staff to ensure accurate record-keeping and timely resolution of student queries.
• Ensure all programme-related administrative obligations  including results submission, registers, and learning materials — are fulfilled accurately and on time.
• Contribute to programme review processes with data and recommendations informed by direct programme oversight.

Lecturing and Teaching   (15%)

• Deliver high-quality lectures, tutorials, and facilitation sessions within their area of subject matter expertise.
• Develop and maintain up-to-date learning materials, lesson plans, and assessment tasks aligned with programme outcomes and the relevant qualification framework.
• Apply effective teaching methodologies appropriate to the student cohort and mode of delivery, including distance and online learning.
• Assess student work and provide timely, constructive feedback, ensuring assessment practices are fair, valid, and consistent.
• Stay current with developments in the relevant subject field and integrate contemporary knowledge and industry practice into teaching.

Academic Governance and Compliance Support   (10%)

• Support the Head of Faculty in ensuring the Faculty’s compliance with all CHE, DHET, and SAQA regulatory requirements.
• Participate in academic governance structures on behalf of the Head of Faculty as delegated, including Senate and Programme Review Committees.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of reports and documentation required by regulatory bodies.
• Support accreditation and reaccreditation processes and ensure relevant evidence is maintained and current.
• Promote and uphold academic integrity and ethical standards across the Faculty.

Staff Support and Development   (10%)

• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to academic staff, serving as a first point of contact for staff queries in the Head’s absence.
• Assist the Head of Faculty in performance management, professional development, and onboarding of academic staff.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative academic environment that supports staff wellbeing and professional growth.

Programme Quality and Curriculum Oversight   (10%)

• Support the Head of Faculty in overseeing the quality and integrity of academic programmes within the Faculty.
• Assist with periodic programme reviews and work collaboratively with the Quality Assurance Directorate on improvement initiatives.
• Monitor the implementation of QA feedback and ensure corrective actions are tracked and resolved.

Examination and Assessment Support   (10%)

• Assist the Head of Faculty in ensuring examination policies, procedures, and schedules are adhered to across all Faculty programmes.
• Support oversight of assessment integrity and security across the Faculty.
• Liaise with Programme Coordinators to ensure effective coordination of the assessment process and timely submission of results.

Student Support and Engagement   (10%)

• Ensure adequate student support systems are in place within the Faculty and serve as an escalation point for student academic concerns in the Head’s absence.
• Promote student engagement in academic forums and scholarly activities.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Independent Contractors / Part-time Lecturer Support   (5%)

• Support the Head of Faculty in managing contractual and compliance arrangements for Independent Contractors and part-time lecturers within the Faculty.
• Monitor quality of delivery by ICs and escalate performance concerns as appropriate.

Requirements
Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field, with a proven record as a subject matter expert. A Doctoral degree will be advantageous.
• Membership of a relevant professional body in the field of expertise will be an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ lecturing experience in higher education within a faculty - related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in programme coordination, including student progress management, moderation oversight, and assessment administration.
• Experience in academic administration, leadership, or faculty management within a higher education institution.
• Experience working within CHE, DHET, and SAQA regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in distance or open learning environments will be an advantage.
• Prior supervisory or academic leadership experience will be an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong academic leadership and team coordination skills, with the ability to exercise delegated authority effectively.
• Proven teaching and facilitation ability, with an aptitude for engaging diverse student cohorts across contact and distance learning modes.
• Sound programme coordination skills, including the ability to manage assessment administration, student support, and moderation processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with staff, students, governance structures, and regulatory bodies.
• Proficiency in learning management systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and digital collaboration tools.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent responsibilities within a regulated academic environment.
• Sound judgement and discretion in handling sensitive matters, with a high level of professional integrity.