Deputy Faculty Registrar

Wits University; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent university in Johannesburg is seeking a Deputy Faculty Registrar to provide strategic leadership in undergraduate administration and oversee operational processes. The role emphasizes managing faculty registry staff, ensuring efficient system implementations, and fostering collaborative relationships within the university. Candidates should have a tertiary degree and at least five years of experience in higher education administration. This position offers an opportunity to enhance the student experience and contribute to institutional success.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years’ experience in a university faculty office or comparable higher education administrative environment.
• Experience in undergraduate administration will be a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in implementation, optimisation, and governance of digital systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and improvement of administrative systems.
• Manage and develop faculty registry staff with oversight of training.
• Coordinate and service Faculty committees ensuring governance compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent

Tools

Enterprise-level digital systems

Administrative platforms

Job description

Brief Description

Key Responsibilities

• 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.