Executive Director: Research at University of Cape Town

• The role provides strategic oversight of research management, researcher development, and postgraduate affairs, while ensuring the effective operation of the University’s research support functions and representing UCT’s research agenda across institutional governance and management structures.
• The position of Executive Director: Research role has three main components:
• Strategic decision-making in cooperation with the DVC: Research & Internationalisation; and a range of institutional, national and international committees, working groups and boards;
• Management of stakeholder relations in collaboration with the DVC to strengthen external relations with other universities, networks, donors, funding agencies, research councils and government departments;
• and Leadership and management of the Research Office Department including; the Postgraduate and Research
• Development Directorate, the Office of Research Integrity and the Postgraduate Centre and Funding Office.

Requirements for the position:

• Possession of a Master’s degree. A PhD degree is advantageous;
• At least 10 years’ relevant experience in research management and administration;
• At least five years’ relevant experience in a senior and strategic leadership position, leading a team of people from a range of professional and administrative backgrounds;
• An in-depth knowledge of the Higher Education research, statutory research councils or similar research environment, specifically of the structures, processes, trends and policies informing achievement of research-related objectives;
• Demonstrated understanding of the national and global research and research funding landscapes;
• Demonstrated experience in enabling multi-lateral research collaboration across disciplinary, structural and governance boundaries;
• Demonstrated experience in building national or international partnerships and networks of researchers;
• Strong people management and communication skills.

Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Strategic decision-making at the institutional level related to research in co-operation with the DVC: R&I;
• Building strategic stakeholder relationships and partnerships in research;
• Leading the Research Office, including the Office of the Executive Director, Research Support Enterprise,
• Global Strategy and Visibility, eResearch and Research Systems, the Office of Research Integrity,
• Postgraduate Studies and Researcher Development Directorate and the Postgraduate Centre and Funding Office;
• Working in close collaboration with the executive, faculties, Directors of Research Contracts and
• Innovation, eResearch, International Academic Programmes Office, Development and Alumni Department, the UCT Libraries, Information and Communication Technology Services, Human Resources, CMD and research finance to deliver an integrated research support platform to UCT researchers;
• Guiding alignment of UCT’s research in line with its strategic priorities;
• Oversight and planning of the finances for the research management and operation;
• Line management and transformation of the Research Office;
• Supporting the achievement of equity targets in staff profiles, allocation of funding support for researchers and providing leadership in the transformation of the institutional culture.

Closing date: 05 July 2026