Head: Academic Operations at ADvTECH

Duties and Responsibilities:

Quality Assurance

• Manages the academic delivery on campus in collaboration with the Head: Academic
• Oversees the implementation of academic and related policies.
• Ensures compliance (policy and other) within all areas of academic operations
• Maintains and develops relationships with all stakeholders including students, parents, lecturers and other staff and ensures resolution of queries within a committed time frame
• Approves all departmental documentation distributed to student and external stakeholders in line with the approval process of the brand

Operational Programme Management

• Works closely together with Head: Student Experience and Head: Academic in all areas of responsibility to maintain open communication regarding programme delivery and the student and lecturer experience e.g. at risk meetings
• Highlights any challenges found in relation to programme material and assessments with the outcome of achieving an improved student and lecturer experience
• Ensures proper sign off of all students eligible for graduation in line with the required standards for the qualification

Student Support

• Ensures the operational needs of a student are handled timeously and are responded to by the relevant Academic Operations staff in accordance with a student centred approach
• Represents the Academic Operations department on the VC Voice Committee
• Responsible for student retention in collaboration with the Head: Academic

Independent Contractor (Lecturer & Invigilator) Operational Support

• Management of any liaison with the Academic team regarding any lecturer concerns which may arise from student consultations
• Ensures all lecturer requirements are met regarding the operational delivery of programmes in conjunction with the various Centres of Excellence
• Works closely with the Head: Academic in ensuring lecturer allocations are completed timeously so the timetabling process may begin in accordance with the timelines that support the timetabling project in line with programme start dates
• Holds the role of 2nd line approver for all invigilator claims/timesheets

Departmental Management

• Manages operational reviews and guides the process of identifying and correcting areas of operational risk
• Co-ordinates The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) requests, e.g. implementing a policy change
• Assists the Head: Academic in the compilation of the academic operations budget regarding allocation of groups in relation to campus targets and the accommodation schedule
• Responsible for campus compliance in respect of Group Internal Audits or any other audit which may present operational compliance and manages improvement plans
• Performs general management duties including managing staff performance, overtime, staff leave and staff morale etc
• Manages Academic Operations meetings including drawing up agendas and chairing the Academic Operations meetings
• Manages focus group sessions with the different centres where challenges and improvements on existing processes are discussed
• Responsible for the efficient running and service delivery of the various Centres of Excellence as well as to ensure that all student queries are resolved in a timeous and efficient manner
• Ensures that all policy updates are communicated to the Student Relations Relations Centre and that students are informed accordingly
• Responsible for providing training and onboarding of new and existing staff within the Centres of Excellence (where applicable)
• Recruits staff for all Centres of Excellence (where applicable)
• Implements strategies to accommodate growth, improved student experience and eliminate risk within Academic Operations
• Ensures compliance to The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) legislation relevant to the Academic Operations department
• Acts as an Investigating Officer in investigating any complaints of a disciplinary nature

Competencies Required:

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
• Problem solving skills
• Financial analysis
• Public speaking/presentation skills
• Best suited to a friendly, organised person who works accurately and is able to handle pressure
• Leadership skills
• Time management skills

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Minimum of Advanced Diploma or Bachelors Degree (NQF Level 7)
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous

Minimum Work Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years management experience
• 4 years academic operations experience