Director: Advancement and Communications Ref 78/2026/MMM/P5 at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

MINUMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related disciplines, or a Master’s degree in a business field supported by an Undergraduate degree in one of the disciplines
• 10 years’ combined experience in Advancement, Marketing, and Communication environment. (exposure to all fields is essential) of which last five (5 years must be in a leadership position.
• At least five (5) years demonstrated experience in advancement, fundraising, philanthropy and third stream income generation.
• Professional affiliation or registration with a recognized advancement communications, marketing, body (e.g., PRISA, CASE) will be advantageous
• An established network and strong relationships with donors, alumni, media, corporate partners, government and higher education stakeholders will be an advantage
• Proven experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated advancement, fundraising, alumni relations and communications strategies
• Demonstrated and measurable success in fundraising and resource mobilisation initiatives, resulting in increased institutional revenue, donor support and/or strategic partnerships
• Proven track record of leading and securing support for philanthropic programmes and initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to influence, engage and provide strategic advice to diverse internal and external stakeholders at senior and executive levels
• Strong technological proficiency, with current knowledge of digital media platforms, emerging communication technologies and ICT applications, and the ability to leverage these effectively to advance institutional objectives
• Experience in a higher education context will be an added advantage
• Valid South African driver’s license

COMPETENCIES

• Technical/ professional knowledge and skill
• Strategic decision making and problem solving
• Eloquent verbal communicator with above-average written and spoken communication
• skills and strong report-writing ability
• Strong interpersonal relations, collaboration and teamwork
• Ability to honestly project both one's own and the University’s capabilities, as well as demonstrate strong stakeholder management
• Personal impact, stature and credibility
• Ability to work independently
• High work ethic and standards
• The ability to understand negative consequences and threats and to manage decisions/business processes to negate/minimise risk
• Negotiation: bargain successfully by using the ability to assimilate information and to evaluate possibilities against a background of sound knowledge of the landscape
• Action orientated
• Client service orientation
• Facilitating change

KEY PERFOMANCE AREAS

Advancement Strategy

• Develop and implement the University Advancement Strategy and annual implementation plans
• Translate institutional priorities into fundable and investable opportunities
• Establish Advancement targets, priorities and performance indicators
• Align fundraising, alumni relations, donor engagement and strategic partnerships into an integrated Advancement programme
• Review and update the Advancement Strategy in response to institutional and external developments

Fundraising and Philanthropy

• Develops compelling funding proposals, cases for support, campaign propositions and donor investment opportunities in partnership with academic, research and support units
• Pursue strategic partnerships, sponsorships, naming opportunities, endowments and other sustainable third-stream income mechanisms
• Develop and implement a diversified, fundraising and philanthropy plan with approved priorities, income targets, donor pipelines, and performance measures
• Develops and implements the University’s integrated Advancement and Marketing strategy
• Aligns portfolio priorities with the University’s strategic plan and institutional objectives
• Translates institutional priorities into measurable advancement, marketing, fundraising and stakeholder outcomes
• Identifies opportunities to strengthen the University’s competitive positioning and market presence
• Advises Executive Management and Council committees on advancement, marketing, reputation and stakeholder matters
• Lead transformational fundraising initiatives; personally engage with high-value prospects investors and donors
• Monitor and report on fundraising performance, donor pipeline, income generation and resource mobilization to Executive Management and governance structures
• Reports on donor pipeline, commitments, secured funding and fundraising targets
• Identifies and mitigates risks associated with fundraising and donor relationships mobilizing philanthropic and third-stream resources to support institutional priorities, ensuring ethical fundraising practices, and fostering a culture of giving among stakeholders and alumni

Alumni Relations

• Stays abreast of latest developments, trends and best practices relating to alumni relations and advancement
• Lead annual Alumni Relations projects, programmes and initiatives aligned to institutional priorities
• Strengthens alumni networks and strategic relationships with key alumni and other stakeholders
• Collaborates with senior internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for alumni involvement in institutional initiatives
• Monitors and maintains the accuracy, integrity and currency of alumni records and databases to support effective engagement and relationship management
• Facilitates strategic partnerships and initiatives that enhance alumni engagement and institutional advancement
• Identifies, qualifies and cultivates alumni prospects for annual giving, fundraising and philanthropic support, including referring potential major-gift prospect Sets annual Advancement and Alumni Relations goals, priorities and projects

Communications and Marketing

• Stays abreast with latest developments and technologies relating to Communications and Media
• Leads the Communications strategy and plan, collaborating with senior internal stakeholders in crafting and capturing a consistent, clear message of the institution’s culture, mission, values, and goals
• Translating the institution’s message (vision, mission and values) into tangible and executable plans, and targeting communications differently to different stakeholders
• Setting measurable goals and objectives for the communication strategy, and drafting plans that coincide with key events on the institution’s calendar
• Remaining abreast of achievements, research initiatives and personas who represent the institution’s values, and remains closely involved with the institution’s impact and key initiatives
• Manages and monitors the implementation of communication strategy and plans, including the effectiveness of communication and goal achievement
• Manages the student enquiry function in close collaboration with academic administration stakeholders and institutional planning
• Manages media events
• Mitigates risk to brand damage on complex communications issues
• Manages the student radio station
• Manages all institutional print media, such as newsletters, annual reports, alumni communications and marketing material
• Writing concept documents, briefs and plans
• Represents the institution on public platforms and media events
• Maintains communications policies, procedures and standards (for both print and digital media)
• Educates and informs institutional stakeholders on communications standards, policies and procedures
• Manages all institutional print media, such as newsletters, annual reports, alumni communications & marketing material
• Gains approvals for press releases
• Maintains communications policies, procedures and standards (for both print and digital media)
• Monitors that licensing, usage clauses, subscriptions and copy right legislation are adhered to
• Reports on media statistics and metrics

Reputational and Branding Management

• Remains abreast of new developments in the field of Marketing, and drafts and gains approval for an integrated marketing & branding strategy
• Commissions insightsinto SMU’s position in the higher education landscape, and gaining input on competitors
• Proposes changes to and maintains policies and procedures for the marketing function in the institution
• Proposes channels for advertising with the supporting budget and gains approval
• Manages the Marketing and Branding function, including planning and gaining approval for marketing campaigns, and managing service providers
• Develops branding and corporate identity plans for all University campaigns
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to maintain the image and brand of the institution, including managing the institution’s trademarks, copy rights and related compliance; new and existing signage on infrastructure, recreational facilities, etc for quality, standards adherence and image
• Manages the procurement and distribution of promotional items
• Commissions specialist providers for the making of video’s and other promotional materials
• Works with and leads dynamic team projects, maintaining professional relationships with stakeholders
• Monitors and controls marketing expenditure prudently
• Monitors the effectiveness of campaigns, advertising and other marketing events through analysis of metrics
• Monitors the appropriate use and care of the institutions marketing materials/stock
• In collaboration with Information Technology function, monitors that e-mail footers and document templates are standard and up to date
• Reports on marketing drives/campaign statistics, outcomes and costs

Student Attraction

• Plans collaboratively with internal stakeholders to facilitate student-centric attraction strategies
• Engages with student bodies to determine needs and gain input
• Plans strategies for attraction of prospective students
• Arranging for marketing materials, such as stands, models, displays, graphics etc, for shows where SMU is actively marketed
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders for the planning and execution of open days and school visits
• Assists with planning regarding major institutional events on the annual calendar, such as graduation and other ceremonies
• Arranges for provision of supporting marketing materials, brochures, print media, programs, and other items during such events
• Collaborates with the Student Affairs function regarding marketing support to enrich the student experience
• Collaborates with the Internationalisation function to analyse needs and provide communications & marketing support in support of institutional goals
• Puts metrics in place to monitor goal achievement for student attraction
• Monitors plan implementation and prudent expenditure of budgets
• Resolves complex queries
• Continually and proactively updates plans as needs and requirements change
• Drafts reports on student attraction initiatives and success (inclusive of costs)
• Drafts standard management reports and metrics for student attraction goal achievement per category of student (local, foreign, post graduate, doctorates, etc)

Generic roles

• Generic management responsibilities such as people management (including performance management), budget/asset/financial management and health and safety management Stays abreast of related governance and statutory requirements
• Contributes subject matter expertise in institutional strategic planning
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
• Perform duties as assigned by the employer from time to time
• Actively contributes to a healthy SMU culture of impeccable ethics, sound governance and accountability