Academic Dean

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive benefits

Health insurance

Professional development support

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a distinguished tertiary institution in Vereeniging, Gauteng, to appoint an Academic Dean who will provide strategic leadership over all academic programs. The Dean will safeguard quality and innovation, oversee curriculum development, accreditation, faculty recruitment and development, and budgeting for academic affairs.

You will foster teaching excellence, support student success, build external partnerships, and shape the institution's academic direction in service

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree required in a relevant academic field.
• Record of academic achievement, scholarly work, and university-level teaching.
• Significant academic administration and leadership experience.
• Ability to manage faculty, staff and academic budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all academic departments and programs.
• Ensure quality, integrity, and relevance of curricula, degree programs and instructional methods.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, development, evaluation and retention.
• Foster a vibrant academic environment promoting teaching, research and inquiry.
• Manage the academic budget, resource allocation and financial planning.
• Lead development and implementation of new academic programs.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
• Promote student success via advising, support services and retention efforts.
• Represent the institution in academic forums and partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Curriculum development

Academic administration

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in a relevant field

Job description

About the Role Our client, a distinguished tertiary institution in Vereeniging, Gauteng , is seeking an accomplished and visionary Academic Dean to provide strategic leadership and oversight for its academic programs. The Academic Dean will be responsible for ensuring the quality, relevance, and innovation of all academic offerings, fostering a culture of scholarly excellence, and supporting faculty development. This senior leadership role requires a deep understanding of higher education administration, curriculum development, accreditation processes, and student success initiatives. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the academic direction of the institution and enhancing its reputation for educational quality in Vereeniging and beyond. We are looking for a dynamic leader with a passion for higher learning and a proven ability to inspire and manage academic affairs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all academic departments and programs.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and relevance of academic curricula, degree programs, and instructional methodologies.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, appointment, development, evaluation, and retention.
• Foster a vibrant academic environment that promotes teaching excellence, research, and scholarly inquiry.
• Manage the academic budget, resource allocation, and financial planning for academic affairs.
• Lead the development and implementation of new academic programs and initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
• Promote student success through effective academic advising, support services, and retention strategies.
• Represent the institution in academic forums and build partnerships with other educational organizations.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in a relevant academic field.
• A distinguished record of academic achievement, scholarly work, and teaching experience at the university level.
• Significant experience in academic administration and leadership, preferably in a Dean or equivalent role.
• Proven ability to manage faculty, staff, and academic budgets effectively.
• Strong understanding of curriculum development, accreditation processes, and higher education policy.
• Excellent strategic planning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
• Experience working within the South African higher education system is advantageous.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive benefits package.
• Opportunity to provide strategic leadership to a respected educational institution in Vereeniging .
• Significant influence on academic policy and program development.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plan contributions.
• Professional development support and opportunities for continued scholarly engagement.