Head Of Department : Heritage And Knowledge

Freedom Park; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A national heritage institution in Pretoria is seeking a Head of Department – Heritage and Knowledge. The successful candidate will manage the strategic operations of the department, oversee heritage content development, and lead stakeholder engagement initiatives. Required qualifications include a Master’s degree and extensive experience in the heritage sector. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to national reconciliation and cultural preservation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in museum, heritage studies or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in heritage, museum, education or cultural knowledge institutions.
• 10 years of management experience; at least 5 years must be at a senior management level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the departmental strategic and operational plan.
• Align departmental activities with Freedom Park's strategic goals.
• Establish and maintain relationships with universities and heritage institutions.
• Manage the development of exhibitions and storytelling programmes.
• Prepare, manage and monitor the departmental budget.

Skills

Strategic and operational management knowledge of heritage resources

Preservation and conservation

Diversity management

Project management

Advanced understanding of governance policies and procedures

Knowledge of South African history

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Management competencies

Strategic thinking and planning

Financial and resource management

Conflict resolution and team leadership

Innovation and digital heritage awareness

Education

Master's degree in museum, heritage studies or related fields

Job description

Overview

Position: Head of Department – Heritage and Knowledge
Contract: 5‑Year Fixed Term
Job Grade: P05
Position Reference Code: FMHOD

• Center: Pretoria Freedom Park is a national monument and heritage destination dedicated to honouring all those who gave their lives in the struggles for freedom.

Freedom Park is a cultural institution reporting to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture and is situated at Salvokop, on the southern tip of Pretoria.

Freedom Park is looking for an ethical individual with a passion for national reconciliation and social cohesion.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the position of Head of Department – Heritage and Knowledge.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the strategic management of the Heritage and Knowledge department and the provision of advice to the CEO and Council of Freedom Park.

The HOD shall perform the following functions, but not limited to:

• Providing overall strategic management for the Heritage and Knowledge department which includes the following divisions: Heritage Resources, Heritage Research, and Heritage Education and Outreach.
• Being an active member of the Executive Management of Freedom Park and contributing to the organisation achieving its overall strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Programme Implementation

• Develop and implement the departmental strategic and operational plan.
• Align departmental activities with Freedom Park's strategic goals and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture's priorities.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams to deliver research, heritage, and archival mandates.

Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

• Establish and maintain relationships with universities, researchers, and heritage institutions.
• Represent Freedom Park in heritage‑related forums, dialogues, and academic symposia.
• Coordinate collaborative heritage initiatives, including Resistance and Liberation Heritage Route (RLHR) and repatriation programmes.

Heritage Content Development and Knowledge Curation

• Manage the development of exhibitions, Pan African Archives, and storytelling programmes.
• Promote inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in knowledge products.
• Ensure the ethical collection and representation of oral histories, artefacts, and archives.

Governance, Reporting and Performance Monitoring

• Ensure adherence to governance frameworks including the Auditor General and Council requirements.
• Manage budgets, procurement, and reporting aligned with Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and internal controls.
• Lead departmental risk management, monitoring and evaluation, and preparation of quarterly and annual reports.

Finance and Budget Management

• Prepare, manage and monitor the departmental budget in alignment with the overall organisational financial framework.
• Ensure sound financial practices, cost control and compliance with PFMA and Treasury regulations.
• Ensure timely submission of financial inputs for strategic and operational planning, reporting and audits.
• Monitor and review expenditure reports to ensure alignment with programme priorities.

Job Requirements

• Master's degree in museum, heritage studies or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in heritage, museum, education or cultural knowledge institutions.
• 10 years of management experience; at least 5 years must be at a senior management level.

Skills and Experience

• Strategic and operational management knowledge of heritage resources.
• Preservation and conservation.
• Diversity management.
• Project management.
• Advanced understanding of governance policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of South African history.
• Sound knowledge of the heritage sector, including extensive knowledge of relevant legislations and Acts.
• Analytical skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Management competencies.
• Strategic thinking and planning.
• Research and analytical skills.
• Stakeholder management and cultural diplomacy.
• Oral and written communication.
• Project and programme management.
• Financial and resource management.
• Conflict resolution and team leadership.
• Innovation and digital heritage awareness.

All applications must contain a curriculum vitae, certified copies of educational qualifications, and identity document.

Successful applicants will be subjected to a verification / security clearance.

Closing Date

Closing date is 03 November

NB: If you do not receive any response within 14 days of closing days, please assume that your application was not successful.

Correspondence will only be with shortlisted candidates.

Location

Corner Koch and 7th Avenue, Salvokop, Pretoria.