Executive Manager: Chemicals Cluster at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for an Executive Manager: Chemicals Cluster. The incumbent will provide strategic direction, drive the leadership, strategy development and implementation, financial sustainability, capability development, performance, operations and governance within the Chemicals Cluster in line with the trends and opportunities and needs of the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and related industries, and in alignment with the CSIR strategy, vision and mission. The incumbent will also be responsible for supervision of health innovations.  He/she will lead the research and development, localisation, and commercialisation of technologies and knowledge solutions from a sound scientific and technological base. The incumbent will utilise market insights to inform our scientific and technological development and take our products and innovations to the market. The incumbent will also be accountable for in-depth stakeholder engagement in the private and public sectors in the chemicals and related industries. The incumbent will act as a role model, embracing and demonstrating the professional and ethical values and purpose of the CSIR. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and provide strategic direction to the Chemicals Cluster;
• Drive alignment of the Chemicals Cluster strategy with the trends, needs and opportunities of the chemicals and related industries;
• Account for the financially sustainability, profit and loss of the cluster;
• Ensure that cluster operations are managed effectively, and that there is timely and accurate reporting;
• Invest allocated parliamentary grant guided by divisional priorities and CSIR strategy to effectively leverage income from other sources and to build strategic capabilities for current and future competitiveness of the chemicals and related industries;
• Maintain a balanced portfolio of research, development and commercialisation per divisional priorities and organisation vision;
• Maintain strategic oversight and guidance of research, development and overall operations of the Chemicals Cluster;
• Drive collaboration with parties in the national system of innovation, and leading relevant parties globally;
• Account for cluster quality, health, safety and impact;
• Lead in-depth stakeholder engagement in industry and public sector;
• Ensure cluster compliance with all CSIR policies and relevant legislation;
• Live CSIR values; foster a culture of collaboration within and between divisions.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in chemistry or chemical engineering or related disciplines, with at least five years senior management experience in a Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) and commercialisation in industry or leading Research and Technology Organisation (RTO).
• A business qualification will be an added advantage. 
• Proven track record of managing minimum annual budget of R100 million linked to RDI initiatives in industry or leading RTO.
• Proven track record of successful IP commercialisation.
• Evidence of high-level stakeholder management, chemical and allied industry related networks.
• Excellent communicator with strong, demonstrable business acumen; and
• Demonstrated experience of strong people management and organisational development skills.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Closing date: 21 August 2023