Academic Planning and Strategy Manager

The Academic Planning and Strategy Manager will play a pivotal role in the strategic academic development of Lyceum College. This position is responsible for the planning execution and oversight of all academic programme development including qualifications and short learning programmes (SLPs). The incumbent will manage the entire lifecycle of academic offerings ensuring they align with regulatory frameworks and market demands while fostering innovation in teaching learning and quality assurance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership in Academic Planning and Development

• Assist with the formulation and execution of academic strategies that support Lyceum College s mission and vision ensuring alignment with institutional and national higher education goals.
  
• Collaborate with senior management to ensure academic plans meet the evolving needs of students the labour market and regulatory bodies such as DHET CHE and SAQA.
  
• Contribute to providing strategic direction for the introduction of new qualifications ensuring innovation and relevance in the curriculum while maintaining alignment with institutional objectives.
  

2. Oversight of Curriculum Design Development and Enhancement

• Manage the endtoend process of curriculum design and development for new programmes and short learning courses ensuring adherence to accreditation standards.
  
• Lead the continuous review and improvement of existing curricula to ensure academic offerings are current forwardthinking and aligned with both local and international standards in higher education.
  
• Oversee the integration of research and applied learning methodologies into the curriculum promoting the practical application of knowledge across all programmes.
  

3. Management of Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all academic programmes are compliant with regulatory frameworks working closely with bodies such as CHE DHET and SAQA to maintain full accreditation.
  
• Lead and coordinate accreditation processes including the preparation of necessary documentation and evidence to support compliance.
  
• Stay abreast of changes in regulatory standards and ensure that programmes are updated and aligned with current policies guidelines and frameworks.
  

4. Programme Review Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement a robust framework for the regular evaluation and review of academic programmes to ensure continuous improvement in quality relevance and compliance.
  
• Use data analytics to inform decisionmaking and drive enhancements in programme design and delivery ensuring optimal student outcomes and market alignment.
  
• Lead academic review processes gathering feedback from external examiners students and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.
  

5. CrossFunctional Collaboration with Academic and Industry Stakeholders

• Collaborate closely with heads of faculties academic staff and institutional departments to ensure cohesive academic planning and execution.
  
• Engage with external stakeholders including industry partners alumni and professional bodies to ensure academic offerings remain relevant and aligned with market needs.
  
• Act as one of three liaisons between Lyceum College and external regulatory bodies ensuring compliance with accreditation requirements and fostering positive relationships.
  

6. Resource Allocation and Optimisation for Programme Delivery

• Plan and oversee the allocation of academic resources including staff facilities and materials to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of all programmes.
  
• Work closely with the finance team to develop and manage academic budgets that support programme development resource optimization and strategic priorities.
  
• Monitor resource utilization to ensure that both students and faculty have access to the tools and support they need to achieve academic success.
  

7. Quality Assurance and Academic Standards Management

• Implement and help oversee quality assurance processes for all academic offerings ensuring alignment with institutional policies and national higher education standards.
  
• Collaborate with the QA Head and other members of the Regulatory Directorate to develop and maintain quality improvement plans tracking their implementation and effectiveness across all programmes.
  
• Ensure that all academic material including faculty handbooks and fact sheets adheres to the highest standards of accuracy clarity and compliance.
  

8. Driving Innovation in Teaching Learning and Assessment

• Foster a culture of innovation in teaching and learning promoting the adoption of new educational technologies and pedagogical methods that enhance student engagement and success.
  
• Support the development and continuous improvement of assessment strategies ensuring they are aligned with best practices in higher education.
  
• Lead academic staff development initiatives encouraging the use of innovative instructional techniques and tools to elevate the learning experience.
  

9. Governance Risk Management and Policy Compliance

• Ensure all academic planning activities are compliant with institutional governance structures and risk management protocols adhering to the highest standards of academic integrity.
  
• Monitor changes in higher education legislation advising senior management on necessary policy updates and adjustments to maintain compliance.
  
• Lead the coordination of the Academic Planning Committee a subcommittee of the Teaching and Learning Committee ensuring alignment with institutional goals and policies.
  

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Project Management and Delivery of Academic Programmes

• Lead and manage the lifecycle of all programme design and development projects from initial conception through to accreditation ensuring timely and qualitydriven delivery.
  
• Coordinate the recruitment and management of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) content developers and independent contractors overseeing their contributions to programme development.
  
• Ensure that all academic material is developed in line with institutional templates policies and compliance requirements promoting highquality content creation for Lyceum Online.
  

Leadership in Academic Support and Programme Development

• Provide guidance mentorship and leadership to the broader academic team fostering a collaborative environment where innovation in academic programme development thrives.
  
• Support academic teams in the continuous development of new and existing programmes ensuring alignment with national and international higher education best practices.
  

Compliance with Accreditation and Regulatory Requirements

• Ensure that all programmes are fully accredited and compliant with CHE DHET and SAQA regulations maintaining a high standard of quality in academic offerings.
  
• Lead the coordination and preparation of accreditation submissions ensuring all necessary documentation is comprehensive accurate and aligned with regulatory requirements.
  

Requirements

Qualifications Experience and Competencies

Minimum Educational Requirements

• Master s Degree in Higher Education Educational Leadership Law or a related field.
  

Experience and Expertise

• A minimum of 4 years experience in higher education with at least 3 years in a leadership or senior management role.
  
• Proven track record in academic planning programme development and quality assurance in a higher education setting.
  
• Experience with South African higher education policies and accreditation processes particularly with CHE and DHET.
  
• Strong understanding of the Higher Education Qualifications SubFramework and HEMIS reporting systems.
  

Skills and Knowledge

• Expertise in project management academic programme design and curriculum development.
  
• Advanced report writing data analysis and interpretation skills with the ability to use data to drive decisionmaking.
  
• Indepth knowledge of higher education policies related to teaching learning and quality assurance particularly within private higher education institutions.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and external stakeholders.
  

Behavioural Attributes

• Leadership
  

Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to guide and inspire teams towards achieving strategic academic goals.

• Decisiveness
  

Ability to make wellinformed decisions in a timely manner even in complex and highpressure environments.

• Inclusivity
  

Sensitivity to diversity and the ability to foster an inclusive collaborative work environment.