Executive Director: Information Technology (Chief Information Officer) - (N000022) at North West University

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic IT Leadership

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking IT strategy in alignment with the overall digital transformation objectives, ensuring that IT initiatives support academic, research, and administrative priorities.
• Lead efforts to adopt and integrate innovative IT solutions that enhance both academic excellence and operational efficiencies across the university.
• Collaborate with university leadership to identify technological needs, and to assess and prioritise technology initiatives.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in IT service delivery, ensuring the university stays ahead in leveraging technology trends and digital solutions.
• Implement robust IT governance frameworks to ensure the efficient use of technology, compliance with regulations, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Establish IT policies, procedures, and standards that promote cybersecurity, data privacy, and compliance while supporting the university’s strategic objectives.

Digital Transformation

• Spearhead initiatives that integrate emerging technologies (AI, data analytics, cloud computing, etc.) to enhance teaching, learning, and administrative processes.
• Cultivate a culture that embraces digital transformation, encourages innovation, and supports adaptability to new technologies across the university.
• Lead change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new technology solutions, minimising resistance and maximising stakeholder engagement.
• Keep abreast of emerging technologies and trends in the higher education IT sector and recommend new technologies that could benefit the university.
• Establish a clear digital transformation vision that aligns with the organisation’s overall goals, focusing on how digital technologies can enhance operations, customer experiences, and strategic outcomes.
• Create a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap that prioritises key initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, and measurable outcomes, guiding the organization’s transition to a digital-first approach.
• Align digital transformation initiatives with the university’s AI strategy, incorporating artificial intelligence solutions in academic, research, and operational functions to drive efficiencies and innovation.
• Stay ahead of emerging technological trends, recommending and implementing solutions that will advance the university’s digital capabilities.
• Oversee the modernisation of IT infrastructure, ensuring that it supports digital initiatives such as cloud computing, AI integration, Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies.
• Lead efforts to integrate legacy systems with new digital platforms, ensuring seamless data flow, process automation, and enhanced connectivity across departments.

Data Management & Analytics

• Establish a robust data governance framework to ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility.
• Develop and promote data governance frameworks and analytics capabilities that support data-driven decision-making across academic and operational areas.
• Utilise data analytics to inform decision-making, improve student outcomes, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Oversee the development of robust data analytics platforms and tools to provide valuable insights that support academic success and operational growth.
• Ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations, including managing data privacy, security, and risk across the institution.
• Drive the implementation of business intelligence (BI) tools and platforms that enable real-time data analysis, visualization, and reporting, making information accessible and actionable for stakeholders.
• Design and manage a scalable data infrastructure that supports data collection, storage, integration, and processing, ensuring data is readily available and accessible across systems.

IT Governance, Cybersecurity and Compliance

• Oversee the development and implementation of IT policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices in higher education.
• Develop and oversee cybersecurity strategies to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with regulations (e.g., POPIA, GDPR).
• Implement risk management protocols for IT operations, ensuring the university adheres to best practices in cybersecurity, data protection, and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct regular IT audits and assessments to ensure compliance with governance policies, identify gaps, and improve processes.
• Implement robust security infrastructure, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, and endpoint protection, to safeguard IT systems and sensitive information.
• Deploy proactive security measures, including threat detection, incident response, and penetration testing, to identify and respond to cyber threats in real-time.
• Conduct regular risk assessments.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement

• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external partners e.g., service providers to drive collaboration on digital transformation projects and IT initiatives.
• Act as a liaison between IT and academic departments, ensuring that technology supports teaching, learning, and research.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure alignment and smooth adoption of IT initiatives, including digital transformation, AI integration, and data-driven solutions.
• Maintain and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders and partners, nationally and internationally.
• Communicate and collaborate with peers, departments and the NWU community to articulate the benefits of technology initiatives and build consensus around IT related decisions.

Project Management

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of major IT and digital transformation projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Develop metrics to assess the impact of IT projects on academic and operational areas, ensuring alignment with university objectives.

Resource Management and Optimisation

• Optimise resources (software, hardware, employees, and spending) to provide the university with the most value and highest returns on investment.
• Manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective use of financial resources and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Identify funding opportunities and partnerships to support technology initiatives.
• Analyse costs, value and risks of information technology to advise leadership and suggest actions.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts and ensure that IT services and solutions meet the university's needs and standards.
• Ensure that the university’s infrastructure, network, and systems support the university’s objectives.

Minimum requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A master’s degree in a technical or commercial field or equivalent (NQF level 9).
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience with at least 3 years’ senior executive/managerial level experience in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment – experience in higher education would be advantageous.
• Membership of any professional body will be advantageous.    

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic thinking and vision.
• Leadership and team management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and project management abilities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Financial acumen and resource management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven track record of managing complex IT projects and initiatives.
• Expert knowledge of current issues and opportunities associated with information technology and cyber-security related to complex organisations.
• Experience overseeing IT risk management in a complex organisation.
• Experience overseeing the disaster recovery plan of an organisation.
• Proven track record of managing complex IT projects and initiatives.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and to lead complex, cross functional teams.
• Strong organisational skills that demonstrate the ability to perform and prioritise multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Awareness of one's own emotions and the emotions of others, using this understanding to manage relationships and make empathetic decisions.
• Focus on achieving measurable outcomes and driving financial performance that supports the university’s strategic objectives.
• Competence in leading and managing financial changes, ensuring smooth transitions and effective adaptation to new processes or systems.
• Understanding and commitment to the NWU values and the ability to be a credible and effective exponent of these values.

REMUNERATION:

• The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

CLOSING DATE: 15 August 2025