Job Openings at University of Johannesburg

Job Description:

• The University seeks to appoint an exceptionally motivated and energetic leader of high professional and academic standing as Senior Director: Global Engagement, reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation. The Senior Director will provide strategic, operational, and administrative oversight of the Global Engagement Division (Division). The Senior Director must effectively and collegially steward the Division to excel in all aspects related to global engagement while overseeing the following sub-divisions: International student recruitment, admissions and marketing, study abroad, academic services, international fundraising and administration, international public relations and communications.
• The Senior Director: Global Engagement plays a pivotal role in advancing the university's global engagements, international branding and marketing, fostering a diverse and inclusive international community, and promoting cross-cultural understanding. This portfolio contributes to the university's international reputation and its ability to prepare students for a globally interconnected world. The primary purpose of the Senior Director: Global Engagement role is to provide leadership and drive global excellence and stature, as well as deliver high-level strategic and operational leadership to the Global Engagement portfolio and all relevant stakeholders within the university, including Vice Deans for Global Engagement. Further, to determine, articulate, implement, and lead high-level strategic and operational initiatives in accordance with the University’s Strategic Plan 2035.

The Senior Director will be expected to:

• Provide visionary leadership to advance the university’s global engagement initiatives
• Develop and implement a strategy for academic and diplomatic protocol to enhance external stakeholder relations.
• Develop and implement a strategy for the targeted recruitment of talented international students with a focus on Africa but not excluding the Globe.
• Manage and lead the administrative aspects of global engagement including budgets, grants management, and compliance with international laws.
• Target recruitment and nurture talented scholars and students with a focus on Africa as well as the Globe.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities from international funding sources, collaborators, partners, government funders and philanthropic support.
• Comprehensively respond to internationalisation-related policy documents, draft proposals and reports.
•  Assist the Registrar and Executive Deans in the provision of the relevant academic administrative support for international students.
•  In partnership with the faculties, institutes and research centres, drive and/or support initiatives to realise the University’s Strategic Plans.
• Oversee services and support for international students, including admissions, visa assistance, orientation, and cultural integration.
• Strengthen the University’s partnership with internationally recognized ranking agencies, such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education (THE), and others.
• Ensure compliance with international regulations, immigration policies, and legal requirements related to international students and activities.
• Ensure the effective, responsible, and efficient management and utilisation of the division’s finances and resources.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with international universities, institutions, and organizations.
• Oversee and implement innovative staff development and management initiatives including retention and recruitment.

Minimum requirements

• PhD qualification (NQF level 10) or equivalent.
• Substantive and acknowledged academic stature.
• Senior executive management experience (at least 10 years) at an academic institution and/or within a division of a significant size and complexity.
• Sound knowledge of, insight into, and vision of the Higher Education sector – nationally, regionally and internationally.
• Knowledge of international regulations, immigration policies, and best practices in higher education internationalization.
• Established and valuable international networks paired with outstanding stewardship, diplomatic, effective, and efficient communication skills to leverage local,
• Pan-African, and global networks. 
• Ability to maintain and strengthen relationships with stakeholders and partners, nationally and internationally.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising external to the University environment.
• Ability to manage the portfolio’s finances and resources effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated leadership at all academic levels and in staff recruitment mentorship and development.
• The capacity for strategic leadership and operational excellence within the portfolio.
• Proven resource, strategic and people management skills, with exceptional ability and resilience to function under pressure.

Competencies (Technical Skills and Behavioural Attributes) required:

• The ability to professionally manage, motivate and display individual leadership qualities.
• A self-driven leader, with understanding of protocol and an international ambassador.
• The ability to ensure the highest level of portfolio governance, efficient administration and systems functioning.
• The ability to develop and maintain good networks.
• Demonstrate strong problem solving and decision-making capabilities.
• The ability to promote, sustain excellence and manage risks within the portfolio.
• Ability to initiate and manage transformation and change effectively.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Exemplary personal qualities of integrity, sound judgement, energy, passion, and constructive interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and its impact on higher education and society.
• Understanding and commitment to the University’s values and the ability to be a credible and effective exponent of these values.

Recommendation:

• Where applicable, professional registration with a relevant South African statutory body and/or international association.
• Experience in a University or comparable environment at an operational and strategic level.
• Experience in process modernization and transformation.

Deadline:5th January,2026

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Job description

• The primary responsibility of the Executive Director: Library and Information Centre is to lead, manage, and ensure the success of the Library and Information Centre (LIC) of the University. The focus is on making the LIC and its services future-fit for lifelong learning and continuous education. The strategic focus of this role is to support and advance the LIC through several targeted interventions, innovations and partnerships including internal and external stakeholders, in a way that contributes to the achievement of the University’s Strategic Objectives.
• The Library and Information Centre views itself as a globally acknowledged, African gateway to scholarly information. It consists of five libraries at the Bunting Road, Doornfontein, Kingsway and Soweto campuses, a central supporting unit consisting of Library Systems, the Acquisition and bibliographic description of record a Bindery; and the Archives, Special Collections, the Institutional Repository, serving a student population as well as the staff, researchers and visiting scholars of the nine Faculties and professional and support divisions.
• The University collection is based on the needs of a modern, new, comprehensive institution and consists of both print and digital information resources. The use of information technology for access and other library functions is an important focus in the implementation of the LIC strategy. A high premium is placed on the preservation and dissemination of knowledge and scholarly communication, information fluency, as well as on the needs of previously disadvantaged students.

The Executive Director will be expected to:

• Determine, articulate, implement and lead the Library’s strategic initiatives in accordance with the University’s strategic goals in order to continuously elevate teaching, research, community engagement and global engagement;
• Review and advance the Library strategy in accordance with the University’s 2035 strategic objectives;
• Take the Library further into the virtual space;
• Conceptualise and collaborate with peer institutions to innovate new, cost-effective, virtual and integrated library models and procurement systems;
• Conceptualize and coordinate related strategic initiatives relating to mobilising grants, donations and sponsorships;
• Strengthen relationships with stakeholders and partners, nationally and internationally;
• Take the Library further into new and emerging digital scholarship technologies to support research, teaching and learning in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond;
• Ensure sustained excellence of community engagement;
• Promote Library services and resources through coordinated marketing interventions; 
• Promote the Library and University in broader national and international contexts;
• Oversee staff development and management, including retention and recruitment;
• Ensure high-quality divisional governance, administration and systems functioning;
• Ensure the effective and efficient management and utilisation of the Division’s finances and resources;
• Respond to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) research and innovation-related policy documents, draft proposals and reports and initiate policy; and
• Manage risks within the portfolio.

Minimum requirements

• A PhD Degree (NQF 10) or equivalent in the relevant field.
• At least 10 years' demonstrable experience in a senior leadership position.
• Substantive and acknowledged academic stature and a sound understanding of the current national and international research, innovation, and academic landscape.
• Substantive leadership stature, with an excellent reputation supported by senior academic and/or administrative experience.
• In-depth understanding of current national and international debates around library administration and related approaches, or in-depth understanding of current debates on teaching and learning and research in Higher Education.
• Proven excellent strategic leadership skills and knowledge, insights, and vision to support the academic community and leadership within the University to provide best practices and state-of-the-art library-related practices.
• Sound knowledge of, insight into, and vision of Higher Education sector – nationally, regionally, and internationally.
• Ability to maintain and strengthen relationships with stakeholders and partners, nationally and internationally.
• A proven track record of participation and leadership on both national and international library or research committees, boards, advisory boards, consortia or leadership groups.
• Ability to manage the portfolio’s finances and resources effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated leadership at all levels and in staff recruitment, mentorship and development.
• The capacity for strategic leadership and operational excellence within the portfolio.
• Proven resource, strategic and people management skills, with exceptional ability and resilience to function under pressure.

Competencies (Technical Skills and Behavioral Attributes) required

• Ability to use technology to improve efficiency and attainment of the University’s strategic goals.
• The ability to professionally manage, motivate and display individual leadership qualities.
• A high level of financial and numerical acumen.
• The ability to ensure the highest level of portfolio governance, efficient administration and systems functioning.
• The ability to develop and maintain good networks.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• The ability to promote, sustain excellence, and manage risks within the portfolio.
• Ability to initiate and manage transformation and change effectively.
• Exceptional communication skills, on a verbal and written basis, as well as executive level.
• Exemplary personal qualities of integrity, sound judgement, energy, passion, and constructive interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and its impact on higher education and society.
• Understanding and commitment to the University’s values and the ability to be a credible and effective exponent of these values.

Deadline:5th January,2026