Deputy Faculty Registrar

University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African university is seeking a Deputy Faculty Registrar to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of undergraduate administration. The role entails managing processes and staff, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in a higher education environment and possess strong leadership and communication skills. This critical position contributes to student success and institutional efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years experience in a university faculty office.
• Experience in undergraduate administration is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with governance of digital systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and improvement of administrative systems.
• Manage and develop faculty registry staff.
• Coordinate and service Faculty committees for governance.

Skills

Leadership presence

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent

Tools

Enterprise-level digital systems

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• The Deputy Faculty Registrar will: Act as deputy to the Faculty Registrar and assume delegated responsibilities as required.
• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of undergraduate administration across the full student lifecycle.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of administrative systems and digital processes within the Faculty Registry.
• Drive process innovation, efficiency, and compliance in line with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.
• Manage, supervise, and develop faculty registry staff, including oversight of training and capacity-building initiatives (including student assistants during peak periods).
• Coordinate and service Faculty committees, ensuring accurate records, governance compliance, and high-quality administrative support.
• Maintain a consistently professional, responsive, and student-centred service to students, academic staff, support staff, and external stakeholders.
• Engage effectively with internal and external service providers and institutional partners to ensure seamless service delivery.

Strategic Impact of the Role: The Deputy Faculty Registrar (Systems and Undergraduate) plays a pivotal role in advancing the Faculty's strategic objectives by ensuring that undergraduate administration, governance, and digital systems are robust, responsive, and future-focused. The role contributes directly to institutional efficiency, student success, regulatory compliance, and service excellence by translating strategy into effective operational systems and processes. Through leadership in systems innovation, staff development, and governance support, the incumbent will strengthen the Faculty's capacity to manage growth, complexity, and transformation within a leading university.

Minimum Requirements

• A tertiary qualification (or an equivalent qualification).
• A minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience in a university faculty office or a comparable higher education administrative environment; experience in undergraduate administration will be a distinct advantage, given the specific student cohort and stakeholder group served by this role.
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation, optimisation, and governance of enterprise-level digital systems and administrative platforms.
• Proven experience in policy development, regulatory interpretation, and process re-engineering.
• Substantial experience in staff management, performance management, and professional development.
• Sound experience in the end-to-end administration of undergraduate students across the full student lifecycle.
• Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively with internal service divisions across the University, academic staff and students, as well as external stakeholders, including parents, service providers, and institutional partners.

Competencies and Attributes

• Strong leadership presence and the ability to operate confidently at management and executive interface level.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior academics, professional staff, and students.
• Advanced computer literacy and the ability to work strategically with complex student and administrative information systems.
• Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a strong orientation towards continuous improvement.
• The ability to work strategically, independently, and under pressure, while managing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgement, and a high level of professional integrity and discretion when dealing with confidential matters.

Key Duties and Functions

• Develop, implement, and maintain efficient administrative and governance processes within the Office of the Faculty Registrar.
• Review existing processes and lead process re-engineering initiatives where improvements are required.
• Lead the development and implementation of digital solutions for faculty administrative functions.
• Manage staff migration to digital platforms and provide structured training and ongoing support.
• Develop, implement, and review policies and procedures aligned with undergraduate programme and student needs.
• Ensure accurate, compliant, and efficient administration of undergraduate programmes and student records.
• Oversee end-to-end student liaison and records management for all undergraduate students in the Faculty.
• Coordinate and administer Faculty committees, including preparation of documentation, record-keeping, and follow-up on decisions.
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with internal departments and external stakeholders involved in student services.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the Faculty Registrar and/or the Dean.

How To Apply

Application Procedure: To apply, please submit:

• A comprehensive cover letter clearly addressing your suitability for the position in relation to the stated requirements;
• A detailed curriculum vitae, including the names and email addresses of three (3) referees; and
• Certified copies of relevant degrees and/or diplomas.

Please apply using the Wits online portal at https://irec.wits.ac.za/. Should you experience difficulties with the online application, please contact [e-mail]

Closing Date: 13 February 2026

Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a written competency test as well as deliver a presentation as part of the selection process.

The University of the Witwatersrand reserves the right not to make an appointment and/or to continue the search for a suitable candidate.

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.

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