Senior Manager:Academic and Business System Support (P5) at University of Fort Hare

JOB PURPOSE:

• Senior Manager: Academic and Business Systems is responsible for providing strategic leadership, governance and operational oversight of the Institution’s applications, enterprise systems, custom software, platforms and digital services. The role ensures that all business applications and solutions are secure, reliable, scalable and capable of supporting the Institutions digital transformation objectives and business operations.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

• Applications’ Portfolio Management: To provide strategic leadership in the selection, design, development/acquisition, configuration, deployment, maintenance and support of all institutional business systems and digital platforms portfolio.
• Financial Management: To provide strategic leadership in managing financial resources for the unit and ensuring compliance with the relevant financial governance prescripts.
• Human Capital Management and Leadership: To provide strategic leadership, direction, and people management ensuring that the unit has the right capabilities, culture and capacity to deliver high‑quality services and drive digital transformation.
• Stakeholder and Vendor Management: Lead effective collaboration with internal and external partners to ensure strong, strategic and collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors so that application systems are delivered, supported and enhanced in a way that meets business needs, ensures value for money and upholds service excellence.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems or Computer Engineering (NQF Level 7)
• Postgraduate Diploma/ Honours degree in Information Technology (NQF Level 8)
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in ICT
• 5 Years managerial experience

ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• Experience in Higher Education
• Additional business-related qualifications and certification

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience and knowledge of architecture frameworks (e.g. Zachman/TOGAF)
• Sound knowledge and experience in the implementation of digitisation and associated frameworks
• Sound understanding and awareness of IT quality and standards frameworks
• Demonstrated experience of large-scale IT project interventions requiring high complexity inclusive of people and process integration
• Sound experience in internal client relationship management
• Sound experience in in the management of conflicting priorities, conflict resolution and problem resolution

COMPETENCIES:

• Business Acumen
• Change Leadership
• Critical Thinking
• Partnering
• Cyber Security Awareness
• ICT Risk Management
• Technical ICT Proficiency

CLOSING DATE: 16 March 2026