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Deputy Director:Commercial Services (AD06)

University of the Witwatersrand

Johannesburg

On-site

ZAR 600 000 - 1 000 000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

A leading university seeks a Deputy Director: Commercial Services to oversee operations within the Operations and Facilities Management Department. This role involves strategic leadership, financial oversight, and compliance management to enhance service delivery across various university services. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in business management, with significant experience in a senior management capacity and a proven ability to manage complex contracts.

Qualifications

Minimum qualification - Business Management Degree (NQF7), MBA will be an advantage.
5 years in a Senior Management role in Retail, Hospitality, or Logistics Management.
Proven track record of managing complex service contracts over R30 million per annum.

Responsibilities

Support the Director in strategic, operational, financial, and contractual responsibilities.
Manage operations of various services including Retail and Catering.
Ensure compliance with university standards and policies.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Management

Strategic Planning

Risk Management

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Business Management Degree (NQF7)

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

ISO Quality Management System

Job Title Deputy Director:Commercial Services (AD06)

Location Johannesburg,ZA

Organization Name Operations and Facilities Management Department

Department Description

The main purpose of this position/job is:

To support the Director: Operations & Facilities Management Department by taking delegated responsibility for the strategic, operational, financial and contractual requirements and relationships between the University and its stakeholders which include staff, students, external clients and service providers in various areas. This function will include the management of operations of the Retail outlets, Dining Halls Catering, Professional Development Hub (PDH), Wits Rural Campus, Printing and mailing, Car wash and Golf Carts Rental).

The Deputy Director will provide overall Unit leadership, direction and management in conjunction with the Director on specific operations within the Operations & Facilities Management Department to ensure that the portfolio serves the University Community by implementing the University’s strategic goals.

Actively participate and take responsibility for the areas reporting into this position in reference to the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Departmental Strategy and the Unit Commercial Strategy.

Manage and be responsible for the formulating, implementing, monitoring and review of policies, procedures, guidelines and service level agreements to ensure adherence to, and high service delivery and compliance pertaining to all portfolios, as well as interdepartmentally.

To manage the risk imposed on the University in consultation with the relevant University Departments, pertaining to the staff management, financial and environmental sustainability, with specific reference to legislation and best practices, including but not limited to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Foodstuffs, cosmetics and disinfectants Act , 1972 (Act no 54 of 1972) ,The Labour Relations Act (LRA), The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) and any other relevant legislation.

Actively participate and take full responsibility for the various budgets for the particular areas of responsibility for this position, in reference to the drafting, presentation and motivation, implementation and monitoring of these budgets. To utilize resources available in the best possible manner including the cost-effective procurement of related services.

Responsible for the supervision of operations managers and supervisors, administrators and staff of the various sections reporting into this position, as well as the performance management.

Brief Description

Tenders and Contract Management

Select the best service provider committed to deliver service excellence and endeavor to understand and deliver in accordance with the departmental mandate.
Identify and report on new service requirements within the various areas of responsibility.
Initiate and oversee tender required processes in line with procurement plan.
Participate in the full tender process as a member of the tender committee.
Initiate and conclude various contract negotiations and evaluations.
Taking delegated responsibility for the strategic, operational, financial and contractual requirements and relationships between the University and its service providers in the various areas of responsibility.

Resource and Business Management

Build a united team and capacitate the department with skilled team members.
Ensuring compliance with university performance standards, industry standards and agreed client satisfaction levels.
Implement training and development plan for each staff member in the division.
Implement performance management, monitored and reviewed in accordance with the University’s Performance Management Policy. In line with subordinates set clear performance expectations and objectives.
Provide guidance, coach and correct the subordinates by means of corrective action, training and positive motivation. Demonstrate or specifically explain correct procedures or desired performance. Reinforce effective behaviour or results immediately after the event.
Institute University disciplinary processes when required include but are not limited to the issuing of counselling, warnings, etc.
Ensure compliance with university standards regarding Personal Protective Clothing/Equipment (PPE), and standard operating procedure.
Ensure strict discipline is maintained and adhered to at all time.

Quality Management and Improved Service delivery

Provide customer-centric service in support of the academic project.
Actively participate in and take responsibility for the areas reporting into this position in reference to the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Operational and Strategic Plan goals and objectives, the risk register and the Triennial Review Self Evaluation, and performance management system.
Provide overall leadership, direction and management in conjunction with the Director, specific operations within the operations and facilities management Department so as to ensure that service delivery within the University serves the Academic, Support/administrative Staff and student in implementing the departmental and University’s strategic goals.
Implement, facilitate and support change in terms of the departmental strategic plans and risk portfolio in order to realize the institution’s strategic objectives.
Manage risk through effective contingency planning.
Gather information on best practices within and outside the University in order to evaluate current practices and to adapt where necessary.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Actively participate and take responsibility for the particular areas reporting into this position in reference to the development, implementation, and monitoring of a communication strategy, goals and objectives.
Collaborate with internal clientele and external service providers so as to develop cooperation and teamwork.
Advise, participate and/or represent the operations and facilities management Department or in the absence of the Director, information, views, concepts to variety of audiences.
Effectively manage and develop people to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and quality service delivery by setting clear performance objectives, providing guidance, coaching and feedback, leading by example, identifying and following through on training and development.
Establish effective communication channels in order to support and provide direction to one’s subordinates in terms of their individual goals and objectives so as to ensure efficient and effective teamwork.

Finance Management and Compliance

Maintain cost effective financial management and departmental compliance with the University policies.
Actively participate and take full responsibility of the various budgets for the areas of responsibility for this position, in reference to the drafting, presentation and motivation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of these budgets.
Utilize resources available in the best possible manner including the cost-effective procurement of related services.
Identify and adapt to changing operational situations in order to remain within budget.
Establishing contingency plans to reduce financial risk.
Implement systems to ensure full compliance to university policies.
Compliance to policies and procedures
Implement entrepreneurship skills to achieve self-sustainability in the areas of responsibility

Implement and enforce regulatory compliance

Ensure standardization, streamlined processes and continuous improvement in the department.
Manage and be responsible for the formulating, implementing, monitoring and review of policies, procedures, guidelines and service level agreements to ensure adherence to, and high service delivery and compliance pertaining to all portfolios, as well as interdepartmentally.
Create constant awareness and discuss updates with subordinates of university protocols and procedures, contractual obligations and legislative requirements in term of the various portfolios.
To analyse contractual obligations in terms of the various areas of the portfolios, and to ensure that subordinates manage, monitor and confirm compliance to the terms and conditions in the various contracts.
Arrange, in collaboration with the necessary parties, notification and rectification of any breach of contract.
Effective implementation of departmental annual strategy and score card.

Required Academic Qualification/s

Minimum qualification - Business Management Degree (NQF7), MBA will be an advantage.
5 years in a Senior Management role in one of the following industry Retail Management, Hospitality Management or Logistics Management.
Proven Administrative, Leadership and Management ability in the areas of strategic planning and organisational development.
Ability to devise and implement strategic development and business resource plans.
Financial and Accounting experience.
Extensive experience of all budget processes as well as the implementation and management of such.
Sound knowledge of tender processes in a diverse service delivery environment.
Proven track record of the management of complex service orientated contracts more than R30 million per annum.
Meticulous, self-driven and independent with a high degree of initiative.
Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise work, handle pressure and make day-to-day decisions.
Ability to develop, monitor and maintain management information systems, policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing and over the telephone with individuals and within a wide variety of organisations and clients.
Open and receptive to changes and ability to shift priorities, incorporate new ideas in order to achieve a goal.
To research, analyse and interpret complex information and produce clear verbal and written reports.
Ability to lead and to contribute to the team with effective organisational skills.
Understanding of diversity, best practice and legislative requirements in relation to service delivery within the service environment.
High level of computer literacy including Microsoft Office.
Experience of ISO Quality Management System

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviors)

High level of computer literacy – must be able to generate spreadsheets, stock sheets, etc.
Business acumen
Excellent English writing skills.
Interpersonal skills and ability to deal with difficult people.
Awareness of importance of service excellence.
Ability to recognize and assess risk in service delivery areas.
Working knowledge of systems and policies within the University.
Working knowledge of related industry regulations and legislation.
Flexible approach to working hours in terms of working shifts, overtime, etc

Detailed Description

Job Requirements

How To Apply

Closing date: 4 June 2025

To apply:

Please ensure that you include a covering letter, detailed CV with names, addresses, contact numbers and e-mail addresses of 3 contactable referees

By submitting an application for this post, the Applicant acknowledges that their personal information will be processed by the University. The Applicant, by their conduct in proceeding with an application for this position, gives their consent to the processing of their personal information as required by the University’s Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy. Such processing includes logging their information on the University’s recruitment systems and disclosing their personal information to university employees identified to take part in the selection and recruitment process. The Applicant consents to any further processing of their personal information as may be required for relevant verification and reference check purposes. The confidentiality of the Applicant's personal information will be maintained.

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.

Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.

Minimum Salary

Maximum Salary

Currency

Amount of Travel

Work At Home

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