EXECUTIVE DEAN (FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT)

Durban University of Technology; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university of technology in KwaZulu-Natal seeks an Executive Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and academic management, ensuring quality education and engagement with industry. Candidates should have a Doctorate, significant experience in higher education, and strong leadership skills. Applications accepted until 10 October 2025.

Qualifications

• A Doctorate in an appropriate discipline with a strong research profile showing leadership.
• At least ten (10) years’ experience in higher education, including five (5) years in a senior academic management capacity.
• Relevant higher education leadership and managerial skills.

Responsibilities

• Determine, articulate, implement and lead faculty-based strategic initiatives.
• Provide leadership in formulating and monitoring faculty-related plans.
• Oversee and monitor the effective implementation of policies within the faculty.
• Manage appeals and complaints from students and staff.
• Provide high-level, legally compliant strategic advice on faculty-related academic matters to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning and to Executive Management as required.
• Manage appeals and complaints from students, parents and employers; manage staff appeals and grievances, and conduct disciplinary enquiries as appropriate.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Higher education governance

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Doctorate in an appropriate discipline

Job description

Executive Dean (Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment) – Durban University of Technology

Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a leading University of Technology in South Africa with over 34 400 students. DUT offers excellent, high quality and market-relevant academic programmes across six faculties. DUT is a modern, metropolitan, multi-campus University that operates on five campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Based in Durban, Durban University of Technology

Responsibilities

• The Executive Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment will be a senior officer of the University and report to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning). In line with the University’s vision and objectives, the Executive Dean is expected to determine, articulate, implement and lead faculty-based strategic initiatives to enhance the faculty’s academic stature, reputation and performance in teaching/learning, research, innovation and engagement. The Executive Dean should provide inspirational, innovative and enterprising academic leadership; strengthen the faculties’ service ethic to students and its staff; and build engagement with industry, communities and government. As administrator, the Executive Dean is responsible for academic integrity, administrative management, financial management, human resources and strategy.

Key responsibilities for the Executive Dean include:

• Develop, research, design and review faculty and institutional policies, procedures, plans and systems in line with legislation, national standards and international best practices.
• Provide leadership in formulating and monitoring faculty-related plans, processes and systems and goals.
• As part of the Institutes Academic leadership team, provide input to regional, national and international academic initiatives where appropriate.
• Oversee and monitor the effective implementation of institutional and university policies, procedures, plans and systems within the faculty.
• Provide high-level, legally compliant strategic advice on faculty-related academic matters to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning and to Executive Management as required.
• Provide high-level, legally compliant strategic advice on faculty-related academic matters to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement and to Executive Management as required.
• Manage appeals and complaints from students, parents and employers; manage staff appeals and grievances, and conduct disciplinary enquiries as appropriate.
• Promote equity and transformation within the faculty; promote collegial working relationships with staff and other departments.
• Manage the Faculty office by delegating responsibilities to the Deputy Dean (e.g., registration, records, qualification procedures).

Qualifications

• A Doctorate in an appropriate discipline with a strong research profile showing leadership.
• At least ten (10) years’ experience in higher education, including five (5) years in a senior academic management capacity.
• Relevant higher education leadership and managerial skills.

Ideal requirements:

• A strong record of initiating and managing collaborations and partnerships at local, regional and international levels.
• Proven record as a respected senior academic leader.
• Sound knowledge of higher education systems in South Africa and internationally.

Application instructions: View the full job description and application instructions on the Vacancies page at www.actionappointments.co.za and email your application by Friday 10 October 2025 to [e-mail].

Seniority level: Executive

Employment type: Contract

Job function: Management

Industry: Higher Education

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