Senior Director : Learning And Teaching Enhancement (Sd : Lte)

Karlstad University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution seeks a Senior Director for Learning and Teaching Enhancement to lead strategic academic initiatives. Candidates should have significant experience in higher education management, strong leadership qualities, and a deep understanding of the South African education landscape. Key responsibilities include developing educational strategies, managing academic quality assurance, and promoting student success through collaboration across various departments.

Qualifications

• At least seven years' relevant management experience in higher education.
• This role requires a sound understanding of higher education policy.
• Experience in strategic planning and academic renewal processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Learning and Teaching strategy.
• Lead the Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement.
• Manage academic planning and quality assurance systems.

Skills

Management experience in higher education

Understanding of the South African higher education system

Leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work in a multilingual culture

Innovative thinking

Published work in higher education studies

Knowledge of digitally mediated teaching

Education

Relevant degree in higher education or related field

Job description

Senior Director: Learning and Teaching Enhancement (SD: LTE) (Post Level 4)

Stellenbosch University is home to an academic community of some 28,000 students and just under 3,000 permanent staff members on five campuses.

Overview

The Senior Director (SD) provides strategic direction and management oversight of the Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement (DLTE) and the overall academic planning at SU, contributing to the development and implementation of the Learning and Teaching Strategy of SU in the context of Vision. The Division has five units: Centre for Learning and Teaching, Centre for Learning Technologies, Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Language Centre, and the Student Success Programme. These units work in a matrix that combines collaborative projects and unit-based responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Developing a Learning and Teaching strategy and plan within the scope of SU's overall future strategy.
• Leading and coordinating the work of the DLTE to deliver on its purpose and objectives in alignment with the SU Vision.
• Co‑creating and driving an integrated student success system in partnership with the faculties and Division of Student Affairs (DSAf) and other units that support students' transformative experience.
• Supporting faculties in the implementation of their teaching–learning–assessment strategies by providing advice on curriculum and programme development and transformative pedagogies.
• Leading the professionalisation of academic teaching and scholarship.
• Partnering with faculties to facilitate the adoption/application of world‑class learning–teaching–assessment techniques and tools, and to support the development of digitally and technologically mediated education across academic programmes.
• Establishing partnerships and collaborative relations with the faculties, DSAf, IT, the Office of the Registrar and the administrative, professional and support services that underpin teaching, learning and assessment at SU.
• Managing the academic planning and quality assurance system to ensure SU offers fit‑for‑purpose programmes.
• Initiating and managing projects and defining the scope in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Participating in SU's governance and management structures as required by the Rectorate, and chairing committees as determined by SU policies.
• Representing SU at external higher education fora, relevant institutions and organisations, both locally and internationally as required.
• Providing oversight of DLTE finances, forecasting annual capital and operational expenses aligned with the guidelines in the area of responsibility (this includes SU's allocated budget and other streams of funding).
• Managing people, processes, culture and systems to align with SU and national policies, standards and objectives.

Requirements

• At least seven years' relevant management experience in higher education.
• Demonstrated and detailed understanding of the South African higher education system and higher education policy framework.
• Proven leadership and strategic planning abilities.
• The ability to contribute to the SU strategy as a member of a senior management team.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting, supervising and communicating institutional research/data for strategic decision making.
• Sound interpersonal skills to lead and to work as part of a team.
• The ability to function effectively in a transforming multilingual institutional culture.
• The ability to think innovatively and to thrive in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Proven knowledge and academic standing in the field of higher education studies, including but not limited to, teaching and learning through a recognisable body of published intellectual work.
• Demonstrable understanding of current trends and debates in digitally mediated teaching and learning.
• Knowledge and experience of being part of/leading academic planning and academic renewal processes at departmental, faculty or, preferably, at institutional level.

Recommendations

• Knowledge and experience of higher education finance.
• Knowledge of global higher education trends.

Commencement of duties

01 May, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Application details

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on (telephone number missing) or at . Completed applications, comprising the documentation as set out below, must be sent via email to before the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Documentation details (PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION INCLUDES ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW):

• A cover letter indicating how you meet the requirements as set out in the advertisement.
• Certified copies of your qualification and certificates.
• A vision statement of two to three pages, summarising your vision for Learning and Teaching Enhancement, and your foreseen contribution to such a future in the context of Stellenbosch University's Vision.
• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae which contains the following details: present occupation; present remuneration package and citizenship; required notice period; details of at least three referees (email and contact details).

Stellenbosch University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.

At the discretion of the Selection Committee, candidates may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments and should therefore be willing to participate in these assessments.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed appropriate.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Job details Closing on : [date not specified]