Academic Liaison Lead

Lyceum College; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African educational institution is seeking an Academic Liaison Lead to oversee strategic academic initiatives and ensure compliance within a dynamic higher education environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in academic governance and project execution, with at least three years of experience. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence institutional success through effective cross-functional coordination.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in academic governance or institutional operations in higher education.
• Sound knowledge of South African higher education legislation.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive implementation of academic strategic priorities.
• Manage academic projects and provide executive oversight.
• Coordinate responses to regulatory bodies.
• Support graduation verification and certification processes.

Skills

Academic governance

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

Data management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Higher Education or related field

Job description

Lyceum College, a proudly South African distance higher education institution, is seeking a dynamic and driven Academic Liaison Lead to join the Office of the Chief Academic Officer (CAO). This is a senior-level operational and strategic role designed for a professional who thrives in a fast-paced, data-driven, and regulatory-intensive academic environment.

If you are passionate about academic governance, project execution, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional coordination and you excel at providing executive-level support that shapes institutional success, this role is for you.

About the Role

The Academic Liaison Lead plays a pivotal role in executing strategic academic initiatives, ensuring institutional compliance, coordinating academic governance structures, and driving performance reporting. This is not a traditional administrative role : it is a senior operational support and liaison post that partners closely with the CAO to implement transformation plans, regulatory responses, and academic oversight functions across Lyceum’s academic portfolio.

This position is ideal for a strategic thinker with experience in academic administration, governance, or project management—particularly in a higher education context.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive implementation of academic strategic priorities and monitor key performance indicators.
• Manage academic projects and provide executive oversight on deliverables.
• Serve as secretariat to Senate sub-committees and institutional academic forums.
• Coordinate responses to regulatory bodies including DHET, CHE, QCTO, and SAQA.
• Track institutional compliance, academic integrity, and performance analytics.
• Oversee student disciplinary investigations and ensure fair, compliant processes.
• Support graduation verification and certification processes in liaison with relevant offices.
• Draft executive-level reports, presentations, and formal correspondence for the CAO.
• Act as a liaison between the CAO and key internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Educational Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Law or a related field (an NQF Level 6 qualification may be considered with strong relevant experience).

At least 3 years’ experience in academic governance, compliance, project execution or institutional operations in a higher education setting.

Sound knowledge of South African higher education legislation and regulatory bodies (CHE, DHET, SAQA).

Excellent writing and communication skills with a high degree of professionalism.

Strong project management, data management, and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Experience working in a distance education or hybrid academic environment is advantageous.

Key Attributes

Executive presence, discretion, and strategic acumen.

Exceptional attention to detail and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines.

Strong interpersonal and organisational skills.

Commitment to academic integrity and institutional excellence.