Academic Programme Leader: Master of Commerce in Project Management

MANCOSA; Durban; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution is seeking an Academic Programme Leader for the Master of Commerce in Project Management. This role involves ensuring academic excellence, managing programme delivery and development, and fostering student engagement. Candidates should have a Master’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience. The position offers opportunities for strategic leadership and contributions to curriculum and quality assurance in the field of project management.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in academia and industry.
• Commercial or industrial related experience (minimum 3 years).
• Demonstrated research engagement within the last three years.

Responsibilities

• Ensure academic excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Lead the rollout and readiness of new programmes.
• Monitor academic progress and implement interventions.

Skills

Research engagement

Innovative thinking towards teaching

Commercial or industrial experience

Education

MCom in Project Management

Job description

Academic Programme Leader: Master of Commerce in Project Management

Listing reference: manco_000777

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 22 November 2025

Position summary

Job category: Education and Training

Location: Durban

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

EE position: No

Introduction

The role of the Academic Programme Leader within the School of Project Management is central to ensuring academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and sustainable programme growth. The position provides strategic oversight of programme rollout, curriculum development, and quality assurance, ensuring that all modules, facilitators, and resources meet institutional and regulatory standards. By leading programme reviews, assessment alignment, and re-accreditation processes, the Academic Programme Leader drives continuous improvement and maintains the integrity of academic offerings. In addition, the Academic Programme Leader serves as a key liaison between students, the school, and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration, innovation, and academic support structures that enhance the student learning experience. Through governance, reporting, and active participation in institutional committees, the role safeguards the coherence, relevance, and competitiveness of programmes, thereby contributing to the school’s reputation for excellence in project management education.

Programme Management and Leadership

• Programme Management and Leadership (within the confines of MANCOSA’s vision, mission, and strategy)
• Establish and maintain Programme philosophy, including link to vision and mission
• Lead the rollout and readiness of new and existing programmes
• Ensure quality assurance processes are in place and compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and report on trend analysis and benchmarking undertaken, student throughput, retention, articulation and dropout rates
• Monitor academic progress and implement interventions for at-risk students
• Collaborate with academic support services to improve student performance

Programme Planning and Academic Administration

• Conduct induction of academic staff
• Contribute to Programme budget management
• Identify and communicate programme value proposition as an integrated effort with marketing and student enrolments
• Programme Planning and Administration in collaboration with the Institutional Planning and other relevant Departments
• Identification of suitable academics for content development, delivery, and assessment activities.
• Quality control of programme information available on website and prospectus
• Programme Admissions and Delivery
• Management of semesterly admissions in line with enrolment plans

Teaching and Learning and Student Engagement

• Assessments – development, moderation and grading
• Stakeholder engagement, development and recognition
• Student Engagement and Success
• Develop and monitor programme teaching and learning strategies
• Ensure alignment of teaching and learning activities with programme outcomes.
• Promote academic integrity and quality in curriculum delivery.

Programme Intelligence and Governance

• Application of programme and institutional SOPs and rules
• Programme Intelligence on Gathering longitudinal programme and student performance data to feedback into lifecycle management
• Monitor and address programme conditions and recommendations from the regulatory bodies
• Compile and submit timely reports on programme performance, student success rates, and academic operations.
• Use data to support continuous improvement initiatives

Programme Enhancement and Quality Assurance

• Complete Programme and Module cyclical Reviews
• Monitoring, Evaluation and manage risk for the assigned programme/s
• Oversee Programme teach-out plans and ensure quality in transitional academic processes.
• Support Programme re-alignment efforts in line with institutional strategy

Monitor Work Integrated Learning components (Where applicable)

• Promotion of appropriate Community Engagement initiatives and activities
• Programme specific career guidance in collaboration with Career Centre

Ad Hoc

• Participate in institutional academic committees, audits, and events.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by faculty leadership

QUALIFICATIONS

• MCom in Project Management (Master of Commerce in Project Management)

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• 5 years’ experience in academia and industry
• Demonstrate research engagement within the last three years
• Commercial or industrial related experience (minimum 3 year)
• Demonstrate innovative thinking towards teaching and learning skills

ADVANTAGES

• 3-5 years relevant academic or academic management experience working
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in Learner Management System administration/coordination
• Higher Education Academic Management background

GENERAL

To demonstrate academic acumen and provide relevant expertise within the scope of, Project Management