Executive Director: Student Services Five (5) Year Fixed-Term Appointment at University of Kwazulu Natal

Job description

• The current context of Higher Education in South Africa is seeing an increasing focus on the student voice, with funding pressures and competition at a new level. Demonstrating the value of a particular university’s degree and overall offering is becoming increasingly critical. In response to this, the University has developed a strategic approach to handling the entire student life cycle that is building on its strengths and positioning it as a leader in the sector.
• The role of Executive Director (Student Services) will be to oversee the full student life cycle at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, leading on relevant areas including the whole of the student pastoral journey, including student residential life, extracurricular engagement, and student innovations

The Executive Director (Student Services):

• manages the administration of the Directorate of Students Services (SSD) for the University of KwaZulu-Natal,
• serves as an advocate for students, and
• shares information with students, colleagues, and other interested parties that promote student success, and wellbeing.
• The incumbent is a full member of the senior leadership team, serves on the Executive Management Committee, and reports to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal. With other members of the Executive Management Committee, the Executive Director- Student Services will lead the creation of a culture of learning and engagement for UKZN students by applying student development theories and learning outcomes that promote students' academic and personal success, thereby increasing UKZN student employability.

Minimum requirements

• A Master's Degree in a Discipline that is recognised by the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
• Fifteen (15) years of relevant and appropriate experience, of which eight (8) need to have been at a Senior management level.       
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of student funding, financial aid,
• Student discipline, student accommodation, and student wellness programmes.
• Experience of interaction with student governance in higher education and an
• Understanding of student culture in a transforming institution.

PERSONAL AND LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

• The incumbent must be an individual with strong interpersonal capabilities who is an institutional leader, able to foster interpersonal relationships within the Colleges and Professional Services Sector involving staff across the institution and with stakeholders.

In addition, s/he would be expected to have:

• the ability to inspire and motivate;
• proven capabilities as a team leader;
• good negotiating skills, flexibility, and open-mindedness;
• outstanding written and oral communication skills for written work, public relations, networking, and team building;
• the ability to make considered, well-balanced and reasoned decisions;
• an inclusive and collegial management style;
• the ability to represent the University at formal events and meetings with outside bodies and to establish relationships with stakeholders;
• the ability to understand developments in the Higher Education arena, both nationally and internationally, and a high regard for learning and teaching practices, scholarship, and research.
• The ability to communicate in IsiZulu would be advantageous.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 17 April 2026