Academic Programme Leader (School of Human Resource Management)

MANCOSA; Durban; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

MANCOSA in Durban is seeking an Academic Programme Leader for the School of Human Resource Management to provide direction for a designated academic programme. The role includes leadership of programme planning, delivery and governance to ensure academic excellence and student success.

The successful candidate will oversee admissions and delivery cycles, coordinate staff development, and drive continuous improvement in alignment with institutional quality standards.

Qualifications

• Masters degree specialising in Human Resource Management or equivalent.
• 3–5 years’ experience in higher education or academic management.
• Proven ability to lead and manage academic programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and oversight for an academic programme.
• Lead programme planning, administration and governance.
• Monitor student achievement, throughput and retention.
• Engage stakeholders and support staff development.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory quality standards.
• Coordinate programme reviews and improvement initiatives.

Skills

Academic knowledge

Leading and decision-making

Conflict resolution

Analysing and interpreting

Creating and conceptualising

Organising and executing

Adapting and coping

Digital literacy

Education

Masters degree in Human Resource Management

Job description

Academic Programme Leader (School of Human Resource Management)

Listing reference: manco_000952

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 31 October 2026

Position summary

Job category: Others: Education and Training

Location: Durban

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

EE position: Yes

Introduction

MANCOSA, a DHET registered and CHE accredited private higher education distance education provider, offering undergraduate and postgraduate business qualifications, has the following vacancy available.

CORE FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

To provide efficient direction and oversight for a particular academic programme/Programmes. This position involves a range of duties focused on guaranteeing the programme's success and excellence, while also providing support for the academic and professional development of students and the school. Additionally, the role specifically requires leadership of a programme/programmes, which will encompass the following aspects: Programme Management and Leadership; Programme Planning and Academic Administration; Programme Admission and Delivery; Stakeholder Engagement, Student Engagement; Programme Intelligence; Programme Governance; Programme and module Reviews and Programme Improvement. The Academic – programme Leader will play a pivotal role in academic delivery, programme oversight, student support, and ensuring alignment with institutional quality standards.

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
• Monitor Work Integrated Learning components (Where applicable)

• Oversee Programme teach-out plans and ensure quality in transitional academic processes.
• Support Programme re-alignment efforts in line with institutional strategy

• 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

QUALIFICATION

• Preferred qualification: Masters degree specialising in “ Human Resource Management" or within the cognate NQF Level 9,

ESSENTIAL

Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in higher Education as an Academic / in academic management

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrate high-quality academic knowledge
• Provide guidance in the evolving education spectrum
• Leading and Decision-making
• Conflict Resolution and Co operating
• Analysing and Interpreting
• Creating and Conceptualising
• Organising and Executing
• Adapting and Coping
• Enterprising and performing
• Digital Literacy

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