Executive Director: Institutional Advancement, Communication and Student Recruitment (post level 3) (Contract appointment: five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term) (Job ID 6109)
Executive Director: Institutional Advancement, Communication and Student Recruitment (post level 3) (Contract appointment: five years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further term) (Job ID 6109)
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Job Description
The Executive Directors primary responsibility is to lead and advance the University of the Free States institutional advancement agenda. This will require a sharp focus on developing and expanding a sustainable philanthropic base through alumni engagement corporate partnerships foundation support international development funding and government support of these objectives the role integrates strategic communication marketing and student recruitment efforts to strengthen the Universitys visibility attract investment and build longterm stakeholder relationships. Through these initiatives the Executive Director plays a central role in positioning UFS as a wellgoverned innovative and globally competitive institution committed to excellence in African higher education.
The following portfolios report to the Executive Director:
Institutional Advancement
Communication and Marketing
Student Recruitment
Duties and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Fundraising Development:
Expand the universitys international fundraising footprint with a focus on highimpact relationships in different global regions.
Build and steward relationships with multilateral agencies embassies and development aid organisations to unlock funding opportunities for key university projects.
Build a culture of philanthropy within the UFS community and provide executivelevel leadership on fundraising campaigns and donor engagement initiatives.
Develop and manage comprehensive fundraising plans to secure philanthropic investments for strategic university priorities including research infrastructure scholarships and community engagement.
Cultivate and steward High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) foundations corporate donors and government funding agencies.
Support the establishment and growth of regular giving programmes.
Develop donor pipelines through prospect research and alumni engagement.
Lead the drafting of grant proposals funding applications and donor reports that communicate institutional impact and vision.
Ensure that communication marketing and recruitment initiatives align with and support fundraising and advancement goals.
Build strategic partnerships with corporate governmental and multilateral stakeholders to secure longterm investment and collaboration.
Represent the University at national and international forums to advocate for higher education funding and strategic alliances.
Alumni engagement and Global Network Building:
Lead the University of the Free States alumni engagement strategy strengthening relationships with alumni.
Support the expansion of alumni chapters providing networks that benefit both alumni and current students.
Cultivate alumni as volunteers mentors and ambassadors for the university ensuring they contribute time talent and treasure to the institution.
Communication Marketing and Branding:
Provide strategic oversight of the Universitys marketing and communication functions to build brand awareness and promote UFS as a globally competitive institution.
Direct the development of impactful content across multiple platforms including digital media publications and institutional campaigns.
Ensure consistent messaging that enhances the institutions visibility and reputation among internal and external stakeholders including donors and alumni.
Align communication strategies with student recruitment advancement and institutional objectives.
Student Recruitment:
Guide the strategic direction of student recruitment ensuring that marketing and communication efforts support enrolment targets and transformation goals.
Integrate recruitment messaging into broader advancement efforts to attract diverse highperforming students locally and internationally.
Monitor market trends and demographic shifts to refine recruitment strategies and promote the UFS brand in priority regions.
Operational and Financial Management:
Oversee budget planning and financial reporting ensuring compliance with donor intent grant agreements and ethical fundraising principles.
Collaborate with finance legal and governance structures to ensure transparency and accountability in all advancement activities.
Inherent Job Requirements
A postgraduate qualification in business communications marketing international relations or a related field.
Eight (8) years progressive leadership in major gifts global fundraising and resource mobilisation preferably in higher education.
Demonstrable success in leading major fundraising campaigns and securing highlevel donor commitments.
Requirements
Key Competencies:
Resultsorientation:
The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
The ability to be reliable responsible dependable and to fulfil obligations.
The ability to be resilient and work effectively under pressure.
The ability to display wellreasoned decisionmaking.
The ability to hold critical conversations as a means of achieving mutually desired goals.
Strategic thinking:
The ability to develop strategy and operationalise strategy into plans and projects.
The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
The ability to be creative and openminded.
Business acumen:
Exceptional strategic communication leadership and interpersonal skills.
The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
Leadership:
The ability to mobilise and inspire others towards shared goals.
The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation energy and enthusiasm.
The ability to lead take charge of situations and offer opinions and directions to others.
Building coalitions:
The ability to negotiate sell influence and persuade others.
The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.
The ability to be selfassured and at ease with people in all types of social situations.
KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.***
Required Documents
To ensure your application is complete you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements as well as the following standard documentation:
A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
Copies of your qualifications or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications please include SAQA accreditation).
A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
Assumption of duties
01 January 2026.
Closing date
13 June 2025.
Salary
The salary is available on request.
Fringe benefits
Subject to specific conditions: pension scheme medical aid scheme group life insurance housing allowance leave and sick leave service bonus and study benefits.
Enquiries
For enquiries please contact the Acting Senior Director: Human Resources Ms Ratsoane at or email . In addition kindly contact or for assistance.
General
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its employment equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the underrepresented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:EEA13EE Plan UFS 1 March 2022 (003).pdf.
The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.
The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Contract
