Head of Student Support Services

Lyceum College; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Gauteng seeks a Head of Student Support Services to provide strategic leadership across student support initiatives. The role requires at least five years of experience in student affairs, particularly in distance learning environments. You will enhance student engagement, monitor retention, and coordinate support services to ensure student success and wellbeing. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication and leadership skills and be dedicated to inclusivity in education.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ experience in student support or related higher education environment.
• Experience in distance or blended learning contexts.
• Proven leadership experience managing programmes or teams.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership for student support services.
• Overseeing student communications and service delivery.
• Monitoring student engagement and coordinating interventions.
• Leading onboarding and orientation programmes for new students.
• Supporting Open Days and student engagement campaigns.

Skills

Strong understanding of the student lifecycle in distance learning

Excellent communication skills

Leadership skills

Stakeholder engagement

Proficiency in digital platforms

Education

Minimum NQF Level 6 qualification in Education or a related field

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Learning management systems

Student analytics

Job description

Lyceum College invites applications for the position of Head of Student Support Services, a senior academic leadership role within the Academic Management Team. This role is central to ensuring student success within Lyceum’s distance learning model, with a strong focus on student engagement, retention, wellbeing, and inclusive academic support.

The successful candidate will lead and coordinate comprehensive student support services across the student lifecycle, ensuring that no student is left behind. The role also champions Lyceum EDGE (Empower | Develop | Guide | Elevate), the College’s flagship digital academic support and literacy initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing strategic leadership for student support services across all academic cycles
• Overseeing student communications, queries, escalations, and service delivery turnaround times
• Monitoring student engagement, identifying at‑risk students, and coordinating early intervention strategies
• Leading onboarding and orientation programmes for new students
• Coordinating academic advising, wellness, and mental health support initiatives
• Developing and implementing inclusive disability support frameworks in line with regulatory standards
• Managing and delivering the Lyceum EDGE webinar and student success series
• Providing oversight and mentorship to the Student Representative Council (SRC)
• Supporting Open Days, student engagement campaigns, and graduation‑related student services
• Assisting with oversight of the Writing Centre in collaboration with academic leadership

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Minimum NQF Level 6 qualification in Education or a related field
• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred

Experience

• At least five years’ experience in student support, student affairs, academic advising, or a related higher education environment
• Demonstrated experience in distance or blended learning contexts
• Proven leadership experience managing programmes, initiatives, or teams
• Working knowledge of regulatory expectations for student support and inclusivity

Skills and Competencies

Strong understanding of the student lifecycle in distance learning

Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills

Proficiency in digital platforms, learning management systems, and student analytics

Ability to design and deliver student‑facing campaigns, webinars, and support initiatives

Empathetic, student‑centred, and solutions‑driven approach

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and decisiveness
• High levels of integrity and confidentiality
• Commitment to inclusivity, student wellbeing, and academic success
• Ability to perform effectively in high‑volume, deadline‑driven environments