Director: Operations (Job Level 5) - Stellenbosch Business School at Stellenbosch University

Duties/Pligte        

• Establishing and maintaining a clear financial strategy linking the School s financial position with its overall strategy;   
• Advising the management team on key planning issues, including risk analysis and feasibility studies for new ventures;
• Managing annual budget-related responsibilities, including overall financial forecasting, risk analysis, preparation of budgets and allocation of funds;
• Providing strategic guidance on the class fee budgets and ensuring alignment with academic programme strategies;
• Giving strategic guidance with programme budgets and monitoring compliance with financial policies and procedures;
• Collecting, analysing, and maintaining relevant data and management information to inform the Director of the School about internal and external impacts on financial and operational strategies;
• Using advanced programme, project, and problem-solving skills to enhance core business processes and deliver operational excellence;
• Designing, enhancing and maintaining key internal management information and reporting systems, tracking progress, and managing variances;
• Establishing strategic objectives and operational plans and providing team leadership for administrative support services that feed into operations;
• Setting strategic objectives and guiding operational planning for programme administration services;
• Developing, managing, and executing a programme administration strategy which aligns with the overall School strategy to enhance and continuously improve students' experience across all programmes;
• Taking responsibility for strategic projects and overseeing the execution thereof;
• Developing budgets for new initiatives and presenting it to external partners;
• Reporting management information to key stakeholders;
• Directing risk management processes, assessing risks, and maintaining the Risk Register;
• Cultivating an inclusive environment conducive to career building and professional development;
• Ensuring adherence to human resource policies and guidelines in staff appointments;
• Supporting the performance management process;
• Coordinating training and development opportunities for staff. 

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes        

• A relevant master's degree in business administration, with at least five years  related experience, OR a relevant postgraduate degree in business administration with at least ten years'  related experience; 
• Ten years'  experience in a senior leadership role in a related field;
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills;
• Thorough understanding of practices, theories, and policies involved in business and finance;
• Proven ability to manage budgets and develop business plans;
• Proficient operational and financial acumen;
• Strong ethical leadership abilities;
• Strong people skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail;
• Strong project management skills;
• The ability to make projections three to five years into the future;
• Extremely proficient in the Microsoft Office suite.
• The position of Director: Operations at Stellenbosch Business School is an exciting, yet challenging role and the incumbent will be required to have:
• Capacity for strategic thinking, analytical thinking and problem-solving in an integrated and systemic way;
• The ability to establish rapport and credibility, particularly at senior level;
• Acting with integrity in all business interactions;
• Creating high levels of collaboration and effective team building;
• The ability to work under pressure and to manage ambiguity;
• The ability to focus on a wide range of projects simultaneously;
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to think strategically by translating business needs into operational functional content;
• Leadership ability to motivate and empower others to reach strategic goals;
• Taking initiative and ensuring that plans become actions;
• The confidence and credibility to challenge constructively; 
• Strong influencing, negotiation, and facilitation skills.