SENIOR MANAGER:SPORTS

University of Fort Hare; Oos-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Fort Hare invites applications for the Senior Manager: Sports. This permanent role leads institution-wide sport across UFH campuses, focusing on recreational, developmental and high-performance programs.

You will oversee clubs, facilities, events, partnerships, and ensure compliance with policy, federation rules, event-safety and anti-doping while developing athlete support, budgeting, sponsorship and risk management to enhance the student experience and UFH’s sporting profile.

Qualifications

• At least five years’ senior level experience in an organised sports environment.
• Experience in university or other sports director positions would be advantageous.
• Experience managing a complex student sport environment, including high performance and semi-professional levels.
• Knowledge of the latest legislation and trends in sport and their impact on sport at tertiary level.
• Sound knowledge of sport at local and national levels and its role in Higher Education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Institutional Sports function across UFH campuses.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and resource management.
• Manage staff within the Institutional Sports Unit.
• Drive sport development to enable university athletes to reach provincial, national and international representation.
• Ensure compliance with federation rules, event-safety and anti-doping requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Communication

Sports administration

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Sport Management/Sport Administration/Sport Science

Master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences or related fields

Job description

Since its bold founding in 1916, the University of Fort Hare has embodied courage, resilience, and the pursuit of transformation. From its proud legacy as a cradle of African leadership and intellectual liberation to its continued determination to overcome contemporary challenges, the University of Fort Hare’s spirit of renewal endures. The University has been steadily advancing its transformative journey over the years — the Decade of Renewal, marked by accountability, innovation, and academic excellence.

Located in the heart of the Eastern Cape, the University of Fort Hare offers more than just a place to work; it offers a purpose. Here, you can help shape the future of one of South Africa’s most historic and culturally rich institutions, while enjoying the province’s natural beauty, sense of community, and space for professional growth.

Are you ready to be part of this journey and help reposition this iconic institution to the place it so richly deserves?

STUDENT AFFAIRS DIVISION

SENIOR MANAGER: SPORTS

PERMANENT

UFH Advert Reference No.: DS 69

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Senior Manager: Sports reports to the Executive Director: Student Affairs and provides institution-wide strategic and operational leadership for recreational, developmental, competitive and high-performance sport across UFH campuses. The incumbent will broaden inclusive participation, strengthen athlete development and academic support, oversee clubs, teams, facilities, events and partnerships, and ensure compliance with University policies, federation rules, event-safety and anti-doping requirements. The role includes people leadership, budget and contract management, sponsorship and resource mobilisation, risk management and performance reporting in support of an enhanced student experience and UFH's sporting profile.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

• Leads the Institutional Sports function
• Financial Planning and Budgeting
• Organisational Unit Staff Management
• Institutional Sports Development
• Create a conducive set-up to enable University athletes to participate at the highest level of University Sport, Provincial, National and International representation

• Leads the Institutional Sports function
• Financial Planning and Budgeting
• Organisational Unit Staff Management
• Institutional Sports Development
• Create a conducive set-up to enable University athletes to participate at the highest level of University Sport, Provincial, National and International representation

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• At least five (5) years’ experience at senior level within an organised sports environment
• Exposure to leadership in university or other sports director positions would be advantageous.
• Experience in managing a complex student sport environment, including having an appreciation for the increasing high performance and semi-professional level of student sport (Five years)
• Knowledge of the latest legislation and trends in sport and their impact on sport at tertiary level.
• Sound knowledge of sport at local and national levels. An understanding and appreciation of the role of sport in Higher Education

• Post Graduate qualification(NQF Level 8) in Sport Management/Sport Administration/ Sport Science.
• At least five (5) years’ experience at senior level within an organised sports environment
• Exposure to leadership in university or other sports director positions would be advantageous.
• Experience in managing a complex student sport environment, including having an appreciation for the increasing high performance and semi-professional level of student sport (Five years)
• Knowledge of the latest legislation and trends in sport and their impact on sport at tertiary level.
• Sound knowledge of sport at local and national levels. An understanding and appreciation of the role of sport in Higher Education

ADDED ADVANTAGES

• Master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences or related fields

• Master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences or related fields

COMPETENCIES (AS PER THE UNIVERSITY COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK)

• Business Acumen
• Critical Thinking
• Clear communication, negotiation and stakeholder management

• Business Acumen
• Change Leadership
• Critical Thinking
• Clear communication, negotiation and stakeholder management

REMUNERATION:

A competitive remuneration package, commensurate with the seniority of the position, experience and qualifications, will be offered.

ENQUIRIES:

Queries regarding job content can be directed to Ms Fungai Matumba on [e-mail] and 043 704 7190.

The University reserves the right to make an appointment or not to fill the post.

University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Pursuant to complying with the Employment Equity Act No.55 of 1998, when appointing preference will be given to applicants from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile.