Deputy Director Scholarly Communications, Digital Services and Systems

University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 60 000 - 100 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in South Africa is seeking a strategic leader for the Division of Library Services. This position involves developing strategic plans, managing projects, and overseeing human resources and finances. Ideal candidates should possess a Master's degree, at least eight years of experience in an academic library, and proven leadership skills in a dynamic environment. Strong communication, project management, and adaptability skills are essential. The role supports the advancement of research and digital services.

Qualifications

• Eight years of experience in management, with three years in academic library.
• Experience in digital space and development.
• Expertise in research, human resource, and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Develop divisional strategic plan and lead accomplishment of strategic goals.
• Integrate innovation projects into seamless service delivery.
• Manage team in alignment with divisional strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Adaptability

Education

Master’s degree (B.Bibl, PG Dip. LIS, or B.Inf (Hons))

Doctoral degree

Tools

MS Office packages

Library tools (e.g., database, WMS, IR)

Job description

Job Location : Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Application Deadline : February 13, 2026

JOB PURPOSE

The main purpose of this position is to provide strategic leadership within the DLS to enable advancement of scholarly communication, research services, research reporting, repositories infrastructure, digital curation and preservation, special collection management, website portal management, digital scholarship services, IT infrastructure and copyright services for the library both nationally and internationally. The position is responsible for the strategic planning and management of the team to drive innovation in the digital space. The position is also responsible for Human Resources, financial, and risk management of the Division.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Strategic leadership

• Developing a divisional strategic plan for inclusion in the DLS strategic plan;
• Providing leadership to accomplish the DLS’s strategic goals and the Division’s objectives;
• Identifying and analysing strategic trends in the Higher Education and Academic Library sector, both nationally and internationally, which may impact on the UP community, submit recommendations for approval and implementation;
• Pursuing of partnerships with other institutions and stakeholders in order to enhance sustainability and ability to deliver appropriate services;
• Representing the DLS in relevant institutional, regional and national committees/structures;

Project management

• Investigating latest trends, developing recommendations for approval and implementation into library services;
• Integrating of innovation projects into a seamless service delivery by the library;
• Managing project lifecycle, with resources and budget allocation;

Scholarly communication, digital services and systems

• Conducting research on innovation for library products and offerings;
• Providing leadership and expertise in the development of the library’s scholarly communication and research services, and research reporting in line with UP strategy, national priorities and global developments;
• Leading the development of the Library’s IT services and support for relevant infrastructure, including the website;
• Ensuring copyright services are optimum and support to all faculties is timeous;
• Enhancing the visibility and impact of UP publications;
• Advocating for new publishing models as the scholarly process continues to transform;
• Representing the library on relevant bodies, committees, and task teams at an institutional and national level;
• Managing the library website, and ensuring its design is informed by user needs;

Human Resources management

>Managing the team in line with the DLS and divisional strategy;
• Monitoring and ensuring compliance to the University’s Employment Equity targets;
• Ensuring management of the portfolio of contract renewals pertaining to external consultants to the division;
• Managing both insourced and outsourced development resources, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring the successful delivery of development work;

Governace Compliance

• Contributing toward minimizing or eliminating risks that the University may be exposed to;
• Ensuring the Division’s services are benchmarked nationally and internationally;
• Ensuring that the DLS governance pertaining to the division is implemented and maintained;
• Ensuring that DLS complies with Security, Audit and Risk management protocols;

Financial management

• Compiling capital and operational budgets for the division on an annual basis for submission to the Director for inclusion in the departmental budget application;
• Ensuring management of the portfolio of contracts, contract renewals and contract negotiations pertaining to the portfolio;
• Managing the finances of the division in compliance with the University’s policies and procedures.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A relevant Master’s degree (e.g., B.Bibl, PG Dip. LIS, or B.Inf (Hons)) with;

Eight years’ experience (Of which three years in management), in:

• Management in an academic library in a medium to large institution;
• A digital space and development;
• Research;
• Human resource and financial management;
• Valid driver’s licence.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)

Knowledge:

• Information industry;
• Library tools (e.g., database, WMS, IR);

Technical competencies:

• Comprehensive grasp of IT concepts, principles, and industry best practices;
• Project management;
• MS Office packages;
• Computer literacy;
• Resource planning and prioritisation skills;
• Presentation skills;

Behavioural competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership skills, encompassing both strategic vision and operational execution, to drive organisational success;
• Proven capability in managing and motivating teams to achieve optimal performance and productivity;
• A demonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams towards achieving common goals in a dynamic academic environment;

Problem solving:

• Proven track record of identifying challenges in academic IT, and developing innovative solutions to address them;

Communication:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for conveying complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders;

Adaptability:

• Willingness to adapt to evolving technologies and pedagogical approaches in the academic landscape;

Strategic thinking:

• Ability to align IT initiatives with the strategic goals and objectives of the University’s academic mission;

Change management:

• Skilled in managing change effectively, including communicating changes, addressing concerns, and facilitating adoption;

Organisational skills:

• Ability to identify and set priorities, plan and effectively allocate appropriate resources;
• Attend to detail so that relevant issues are addressed and result in high-quality outcome;

Stress management:

• Ability to work well under pressure or opposition, while maintaining effectiveness and self-control in the midst of any one or a combination of stressors, including emotional strain, ambiguity, risk to self, and fatigue;

Valuing service and diversity:

• Ability to be sensitive to client and community needs and perceptions, by providing prompt, efficient and equitable service, and involving clients and community in the resolution of problems that affect them;

Negotiation skills:

• Effectively navigate a complex academic environment, foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes in various contexts, ultimately contributing to the successful implementation of IT initiatives and the advancement of the University’s academic mission.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality in all IT initiatives and projects.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

• A relevant Doctoral degree;

Proven experience in:

• Identifying and applying the latest industry and technological trends to advance digital library services;
• Project management;
• Managing libraries in multiple physical locations;
• Management course certificate;
• Project Management certificate.

CLOSING DATE

13 February 2026