Senior Director: Learning and Teaching Enhancement (SD: LTE)

Karlstad University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African university is seeking a Senior Director for Learning and Teaching Enhancement to develop and implement strategic educational initiatives. This role involves managing academic planning, fostering partnerships across departments, and promoting innovative teaching practices. Ideal candidates should possess extensive leadership experience in higher education and a strong understanding of the South African education landscape. Competitive compensation and an engaging work environment are offered.

Qualifications

• At least seven years’ relevant management experience in higher education.
• Demonstrated understanding of the South African higher education system.
• Proven leadership and strategic planning abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop a Learning and Teaching strategy and plan for 2026-2030.
• Support faculties implementing teaching/learning strategies.
• Manage academic planning and quality assurance system.

Skills

Leadership and strategic planning

Interpersonal skills

Innovative thinking

Understanding of South African higher education system

Digital literacy

Education

Higher education qualifications in relevant field

Job description

Senior Director: Learning and Teaching Enhancement (SD: LTE)

Post Level 4 | Ref. LO/260/1025

Kindly note that those who have previously applied for this position need not reapply.

Stellenbosch University (SU) is a globally connected, research-intensive institution that attracts exceptional students, empowers talented staff, and fosters a world-class academic environment. We are committed to delivering a transformative learning experience, fostering academic excellence, and cultivating graduates and empowering staff who contribute meaningfully to a sustainable, equitable, and engaged future. SU advances a transformative approach to student success, ensuring that learning and teaching remain inclusive, future-focused, and globally relevant.

Reporting to the DVC: Academic, 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. The role contributes to the development and implementation of the Learning and Teaching Strategy of SU in the context of Vision 2040.

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.

Duties:

• Develop a Learning and Teaching strategy and plan for 2026-2030 within SU’s overall future strategy; lead and coordinate the work of the DLTE to deliver on its purpose and objectives in alignment with the SU Vision.
• Co-create and drive an integrated student success system in partnership with the faculties, Division of Student Affairs (DSAf) and other units that support students’ transformative experience.
• Support faculties in implementing their teaching‑learning‑assessment strategies by advising on curriculum and programme development and transformative pedagogies.
• Lead the professionalisation of academic teaching and scholarship.
• Partner with faculties to facilitate the adoption/application of world‑class learning‑teaching‑assessment techniques and tools, and support the development of digitally and technologically mediated education across academic programmes.
• Establish 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.
• Manage the academic planning and quality assurance system to ensure SU offers fit‑for‑purpose programmes.
• Initiate and manage projects and define the scope in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Participate in SU’s governance and management structures as required by the Rectorate, and chair committees as determined by SU policies.
• Represent SU at external higher education fora, relevant institutions and organisations, both locally and internationally as required.
• Provide oversight of DLTE finances, forecast annual capital and operational expenses aligned with the guidelines in the area of responsibility, including SU’s allocated budget and other streams of funding, and apply for relevant local and international grants.
• Manage 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 or 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.

As part of the interview process, provisionally shortlisted candidates will be expected to deliver a short presentation to the Senior Appointments Committee. The topic of the presentation will be shared with the provisionally shortlisted candidates.

Commencement of duties:

01 May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

Enquiries regarding remuneration/ benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753, or at [emailprotected]

Completed applications, comprising the documentation as set out below, must be sent via email to [emailprotected] 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 2040.
• 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.

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Job details

Stellenbosch University is home to an academic community of some 28 000 students as well as just under 3 000 permanent staff members on five different campuses. The University offers a vibrant, inclusive environment that supports a high-quality teaching, research and innovation culture…