Senior Manager (P6) (Division for Strategic Initiatives & Administration) at University of Johannesburg

Job Description:

• The Strategic Initiatives and Administration unit is responsible for managing, successfully implementing, monitoring, and evaluating a number of the University’s strategic programmes. These include Global Excellence and Stature (GES) catalytic interventions and initiatives that drive UJ’s 4.0 for Societal Impact strategy.
• The University of Johannesburg invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the Senior Manager: Strategic Initiatives and Administration position reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Administration.

Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional teams in executing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-related projects, policy and sustainability initiatives.
• Provide guidance and oversight on the integration of sustainability goals across academic and operational units.
• Conduct data analysis, benchmarking, and impact assessments related to sustainability and societal impact.
• Ensure institutional alignment with global sustainability reporting frameworks such as the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
• Establish and implement monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Develop and maintain electronic data and document systems for storage and sharing purposes.
• Drafts reports and other strategic documents.
• Support and manage ad hoc activities.
• Establish partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations.
• Organise workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns on ESG, sustainability and SDG reporting.

Minimum requirements

• A Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Sustainability Studies, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Public Administration, International Relations, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in project management, sustainability reporting, or institutional strategy development.
• Proven expertise in preparing high-profile reports on ESG frameworks, SDGs, societal impact, or sustainability for large organisations or academic institutions.
• Experience in working with global reporting frameworks such as GRI, THE Impact Rankings, UN PRME, or similar sustainability standards.
• Strong leadership and management experience, including the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.
• Track record in stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and capacity building in sustainability initiatives.
• Sound knowledge of and insights into the Higher Education Sector.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Advanced knowledge of sustainability metrics, data analysis, and impact assessment methodologies.
• Excellent and professional report-writing and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Ability to work in a highly complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Outstanding planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and techniques.
• Ability to engage with senior leadership, government bodies, and international organisations.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Ability to handle large volumes of communication, responsiveness “while on the move”.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks.
• Collegiality and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to function under pressure.

Recommendations:

• Proven experience in the Higher Education Sector and familiarity with sustainability initiatives in universities.
• Knowledge of South Africa’s national development policies and sustainability regulations.
• Experience in securing external funding for sustainability projects.

Apply by: 27 February 2026