Deputy Registrar: Academic Administration at University of Western Cape

• The Deputy Registrar: Academic Administration holds delegated authority from the Registrar for the strategic leadership, governance and operational oversight of the University's academic administration functions across the complete student lifecycle — from recruitment, application and registration through to examinations, promotion, certification and graduation.
• The post is responsible for legislative and policy compliance (Higher Education Act, the UWC Statute, HEQSF, POPIA and related regulatory frameworks), for protecting the University from academic-administrative and reputational risk, and for safeguarding the integrity of student records, assessments and qualifications awarded.
• As a member of the Registrar's management team, the Deputy Registrar serves on Senate and its committees, develops and reviews academic policies and rules, compiles the University Almanac/Calendar, drives digital transformation of academic administration, deputises for the Registrar when required, and represents the University in sector-wide structures and with external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key responsibility areas:

• Strategic leadership and management of the Academic Administration portfolio
• Examinations and graduations governance and management
• Enrolment lifecycle coordination and faculty liaison (applications, registration, records, promotions)
• International student administration and immigration compliance
• Academic policy development, rules and the University Almanac/Calendar
• Governance and statutory compliance (Senate, DHET, POPIA)
• Student records integrity, verification and certification
• Financial, budget and resource management
• Digital transformation, systems and business process improvement
• Staff training, development and capacity building
• Deputising for the Registrar; committee, task team and crisis management responsibilities
• Stakeholder engagement, communications and public relations
• Leading and implementing university transformation and people management strategies

Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree or equivalent (NQF Level 9) 
• Minimum of (10) ten years' experience in public Higher Education and a minimum of (8) eight years' demonstrated management experience 
• Demonstrable experience in university academic administration spanning the full academic lifecycle, supported by hands-on experience with student information systems and their underlying business processes
• A sound working knowledge of academic rules and policies and their application across the student lifecycle.
• Proven experience in leading digital transformation initiatives from conceptualisation through planning, development, change management, and institutional rollout

Knowledge and Key Competencies

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• HE Governance & Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive knowledge of the Higher Education landscape, legislative frameworks, DHET reporting, HEMIS, and quality assurance standards.
• Strategic Planning & Business Operations: Expertise in organisational design, business process re-engineering, financial budgeting, and risk/continuity management.
• Academic Policy & Assessment: Deep understanding of academic lifecycle rules, policy interpretation, POPIA/PAIA compliance, and assessment governance

People & Change Leadership

• Inspirational Team Management: Proven ability in staff development, coaching, performance management, and fostering high-performance cultures.
• Strategic Leadership & People Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate cross-functional academic and administrative teams using a progressive, collaborative management approach.
• Change Leadership & Innovation: Skilled in consultation, change management, and leading organisational transformation initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
High-Pressure Communication & Diplomacy: Exceptional ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively under pressure.

• Stakeholder Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building consensus and strong working relationships across faculty, staff, and institutional leadership
• Cross-Cultural & Public Relations: Strong networking, negotiation, and reputation management skills across diverse internal and external audiences.

Operational & Administrative Mastery

• Academic Administration: Experience in enrolment management, committee servicing, formal report writing, and records management.
• Logistics & Event Management: Proven track record in managing complex academic operations, events, and operational logistics.

Technical & Compliance Acumen

• Systems Proficiency: Strong computer literacy with practical experience in Student ERP systems, verification portals, and business analytics.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of the Immigration Act (study visa processing), procurement guidelines, and fraud detection/investigation protocols.

Personal Attributes

• High integrity, sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and absolute discretion regarding confidential information

Deadline:11th September,2026