Registrar

UWC Online - University of the Western Cape; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent South African university is seeking a Registrar to manage institutional governance, oversee academic administration, and support the Rector. The ideal candidate must possess a Master's degree, extensive management experience in higher education, and a track record in overseeing admissions and registrations. This role involves strategic leadership within a dynamic educational environment and offers a five-year contract with a possibility of renewal, aiming to enhance the university's commitment to academic excellence.

Benefits

Opportunity for renewal after five years

Contribution to diverse academic environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of relevant management experience in higher education.
• Experience overseeing academic administration functions including admissions and registration.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing departmental strategies.

Responsibilities

• Manage institutional governance and secretariat functions.
• Oversee the registration of University qualifications and student administration.
• Support the Council and Senate with necessary information and administrative services.

Skills

Interpersonal relationships

Financial resource management

Leadership participation

Minutes writing and report presentation

Transformation facilitation

Education

Master’s degree (NQF Level 9)

Doctoral degree (added advantage)

Job description

REGISTRAR
(FIVE (5) YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE OPTION OF RENEWAL)

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic institution that is cognisant of the volatile, uncertain, complex, ever-changing and challenging global environment. The University actively responds, in critical and creative ways, to the developmental needs of the local, national and international contexts. UWC appreciates the opportunities of the academic project and wishes to build on its history of providing students with an excellent academic experience.

Building on its rich history of social responsiveness and its growing stature as a leading South African university, UWC is seeking to appoint an outstanding and respected leader who is also a distinguished administrator with extensive management experience in higher education. The individual’s ability to promote a culture of collaboration is critical for this position. The individual must also have a clear understanding of the national transformation agenda and the role of universities in this context.

The Registrar is part of the executive team and supports the Rector & Vice-Chancellor in managing and implementing the strategic direction of the University. The portfolio of the Registrar is complex with an institution-wide focus, being the secretary to the statutory bodies in terms of the Higher Education Act, these being the Council, the Senate and the Convocation, providing the services and advice to these bodies necessary for them to fulfil their policymaking and governance roles. Being the head of the University's academic administration, and in this role to be accountable and have overall responsibility for the academic administration of the University, for the student record, for certification and for systems supporting student recruitment, admission, registration, and examination. The Registrar supports the University Council and Senate by acting as the official secretary and chief governance and administrative officer. This support is both operational and strategic, ensuring these key bodies have the information and administrative services needed to function effectively and uphold institutional integrity.

The main responsibilities of the position are concerned with: institutional governance which includes the overall management and secretariat function of the governance structures within the applicable governance and statutory frameworks; academic administration in partnership with Senate and Faculties which includes, amongst others the registration of University qualifications, the overarching responsibility for student administration from application, admissions, registration and examinations to graduation; and the management of all records associated with the above responsibilities.

• A Master’s degree (NQF Level 9) or an equivalent professional qualification. A doctoral degree will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant management experience in a higher education institution, including at least five (5) years in a senior management role.
  • Senior management, in the context of UWC and the broader higher education sector, is understood to include high-ranking administrative and academic leadership roles, such as Director, Deputy-Registrar, Senior Director, Deputy Dean, Dean, or equivalent positions with substantial institutional or faculty-wide oversight responsibilities.
  • Experience may have been gained in academic administration, governance, legal affairs, or other leadership portfolios within higher education.
  • This broader definition ensures inclusivity while maintaining the requirement that the successful candidate possesses the gravitas, experience and institutional-level leadership expected of a Registrar.
  • Candidates must therefore demonstrate strategic-level leadership, even if they have not previously served as a Registrar.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing or coordinating core academic administration functions, including admissions, registration, examinations, graduation, and records management.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing institutional or departmental strategies, managing change processes, and effectively communicating policy decisions across diverse stakeholder groups.
• In addition to managerial and governance proficiency, comprehensive literacy in the dynamics of higher education is essential, encompassing curriculum governance, quality assurance regimes, postgraduate supervision cultures, NRF and DHET mechanisms, academic promotion and workload frameworks, and the intellectual work inherent in disciplinary leadership.

An applicant must have the following competencies:

• Building interpersonal relationships and university partnerships;
• Managing financial resources;
• Managing people;
• Participating and thriving in a leadership environment which can present multiple demands at any time;
• Writing of minutes, presenting reports and communicating decisions, and lastly,
• Facilitating transformation at various institutional levels.

For any information related to this position, please get in touch with our Executive Director of Human Resources, Meko Ernest Magida, via email at [e-mail]

Short-listed candidates must make a presentation to the University community and later participate in an interview process to be conducted by the Senior Appointments Committee of the University Council.

Applications should be submitted online by 18 January 2026.

NB: This is a five-year contract (available from 01 January 2027) with the possibility of it being extended for a second term. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The successful applicant must be eligible to serve at least one full term before reaching the official retirement age of 65 years old.

DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with university stakeholders to process the application. The University shall conduct probity checks, including background criminal checks, as part of its recruitment process. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.