Vice Chancellor (7 Year Fixed-Term Contract)

Academic Partners; Makhanda; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhodes University in Makhanda seeks a visionary leader to serve as principal executive and accounting officer, guiding strategic direction and governance. You will chair Senate, work with the Council, and oversee day-to-day operations and disciplinary matters to sustain excellence in teaching, research and community engagement.

The role demands a PhD and a strong record of senior leadership in higher education, with capabilities in planning, funding, transformation and external relations.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Senior leadership in higher education with a proven track record.
• Experience in strategic planning and implementation at institutional level.
• Demonstrated ability in research leadership and securing funding.
• Experience in financial management and sustainability.
• Commitment to transformation, equity and institutional culture change.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and external relations.
• Knowledge of higher education governance and compliance.
• Proven leadership of complex, multi-functional organisations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal, chief executive, and accounting officer of the University.
• Perform functions of the Chancellor in their absence.
• Chair the Senate and serve on Council and Senate committees.
• Manage day-to-day administration and operations of the University.
• Act as chief disciplinary authority for employee and student disciplinary matters.
• Develop and implement long-term institutional vision and strategic plan.
• Define the University’s identity and distinctive contribution within the national system.
• Build and sustain a high-calibre executive team with clear delegations.
• Work with Council Chairperson and members, advising fully and timeously.
• Ensure compliance with Higher Education Act, Institutional Statute and King IV.
• Maintain risk management, internal audit and internal control systems.
• Lead institutional crisis response with candour and decisiveness.
• Ensure financial sustainability through balanced budgets and debt management.
• Lead fundraising and development of third-stream income.
• Oversee infrastructure maintenance and security.
• Promote teaching and learning access, retention and throughput.
• Uphold academic freedom and drive curriculum renewal and accreditation.
• Foster research integrity and encourage innovation.
• Position the University as an engaged institution with communities.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Strategic planning experience

Research leadership

Funding acquisition

Financial management

Transformation and equity

Stakeholder engagement

Governance and compliance

Leadership of multi-functional orgs

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Principal Functions:

• Serve as principal, chief executive, and accounting officer of the University
• Perform functions of the Chancellor in their absence
• Chair the Senate and serve on Council and Senate committees
• Manage day-to-day administration and operations of the University
• Act as chief disciplinary authority for employee and student disciplinary matters

Strategic Stewardship:

• Develop and implement long-term institutional vision and strategic plan in consultation with Council and Senate
• Define the University’s identity and distinctive contribution within the national system
• Build and sustain a high-calibre executive team with clear delegations
• Work in partnership with the Council Chairperson and members, advising fully and timeously
• Ensure compliance with the Higher Education Act, Institutional Statute and King IV Code on Corporate Governance
• Maintain functioning systems of risk management, internal audit and internal control
• Lead institutional crisis response with candour and decisiveness

Financial Stewardship:

• Ensure financial sustainability through preparation and execution of balanced budgets
• Manage fee-setting, student debt and National Student Financial Aid Scheme relationships
• Lead fundraising and development of third-stream income
• Oversee maintenance, renewal and security of infrastructure

Academic Leadership:

• Provide leadership in teaching and learning with focus on access, retention and throughput
• Ensure integrity and currency of the academic project including curriculum renewal and programme accreditation
• Uphold academic freedom and promote open debate of contested ideas
• Support development of academic staff from historically underrepresented groups

Research & Innovation:

• Preserve and advance Rhodes University’s position as a top-tier research-intensive institution
• Promote research of global standing and local relevance
• Secure research funding from the National Research Foundation, public funders, industry and international partners
• Foster research integrity and ethical conduct
• Encourage innovation and knowledge transfer

Community Engagement:

• Position the University as an engaged institution contributing to social, cultural and economic development
• Promote partnerships with local government, schools, communities and civil society
• Ensure teaching and research respond to community needs

Student Experience:

• Ensure safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment
• Engage regularly with student leadership
• Manage protest and dissent while protecting right to protest and academic continuity
• Uphold fair and lawful student disciplinary system

People & Labour Leadership:

• Lead human resource strategy including recruitment, retention, remuneration and succession planning
• Maintain constructive relations with recognised trade unions
• Support comprehensive Human Capital plans enhancing competitive remuneration and professional development

Transformation, Equity & Institutional Culture:

• Implement employment equity plan and transformation strategy
• Foster institutional culture free of racism, sexism, homophobia and discrimination
• Maintain effective policies to prevent and address gender-based violence
• Drive accelerated demographic transformation among academic staff and leadership
• Address employment disparities and discriminatory practices

Sector Participation:

• Maintain partnerships with Makana Municipality and Eastern Cape stakeholders
• Represent University to the Minister, Department of Higher Education and Training, and sector bodies
• Develop partnerships with African and international universities

• Doctorate Degree (PhD or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
• Minimum 10+ years senior leadership experience in higher education
• Demonstrated experience in institutional strategic planning and implementation
• Proven track record in research leadership and funding acquisition
• Experience in financial management and institutional sustainability
• Strong commitment to transformation, equity and institutional culture change
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and external relations
• Demonstrated understanding of higher education governance and compliance
• Leadership experience managing complex, multi-functional organisations