Academic Planning and Innovation Lead

Randburg - South Africa

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Experience Required: 1-3years

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Purpose and Scope of the Role

The Academic Planning and Innovation Lead is responsible for providing institutional leadership in academic planning programme direction and innovation. The role defines what the institution offers why it offers it and how it should be positioned within the higher education landscape.

The incumbent operates at a strategic level establishing academic frameworks standards and programme direction while enabling the Academic Planning and Strategy Manager Programme Architecture Specialist and Quality Assurance functions to execute within a coherent and well-governed system.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Institutional Academic Direction and Programme Pipeline (30%)

Define and approve the institutional programme pipeline aligned to strategy market demand and national priorities.

Identify new qualification and SLP opportunities at a strategic level.

Guide programme positioning differentiation and long-term viability.

2. Academic Frameworks and Curriculum Architecture Oversight (20%)

Establish institutional standards for curriculum structure sequencing and academic design.

Approve high-level programme architecture frameworks.

Provide strategic guidance on curriculum direction.

3. Teaching and Learning Strategy and Innovation (15%)

Ensure all academic programmes are compliant with regulatory frameworks

Define institutional teaching and learning strategy.

Lead CITE and academic innovation initiatives.

Drive pedagogical advancement and academic staff development frameworks.

4. Academic Integrity and Regulatory Positioning (10%)

Ensure academic offerings are conceptually aligned to HEQSF NQF and regulatory expectations.

Provide strategic oversight of accreditation positioning.

5. Programme Readiness and Academic Sign-Off (10%)

Provide final academic approval before programme rollout.

Ensure programmes meet institutional standards at a strategic level.

6. Governance and Institutional Alignment

Serves as Deputy Chair of the Academic Planning Committee

Ensure alignment across Academic Planning QA Registrar and Faculties

7. Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships

Lead academic partnerships and institutional positioning.

Support the internship programmes of the institution

Support strategic projects impacting academic growth and innovation.

Key Delineation

The Academic Planning and Innovation Lead operates at a strategic level and does not assume responsibility for:

Operational programme development and coordination

Detailed curriculum design

Quality assurance administration or audit execution

Academic delivery or faculty management

These functions are executed by the Academic Planning and Strategy Manager Programme Architecture Specialist Quality Assurance teams and Faculties respectively.

Requirements

Minimum Educational Requirements

Honours Degree in Higher Education Educational Leadership Law Political Sciences International Relations or a related field.

Experience and Expertise

A minimum of 2 years experience in higher education
Experience 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 Sub-Framework 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 decision-making.
In-depth 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 well-informed decisions in a timely manner even in complex and high-pressure environments.

Inclusivity

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

Key Relationships

Reports to Chief Academic Officer
Collaborates with - Heads of Faculties Regulatory and Institutional Planning Directorate Academic Staff Regulatory Bodies (CHE DHET SAQA) and Independent Contractors or Consultants.
External Stakeholders - Industry Partners Professional Bodies Accreditation Authorities

Required Skills:

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 -depth 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 well-informed decisions in a timely manner even in complex and high-pressure environments. Inclusivity Sensitivity to diversity and the ability to foster an inclusive collaborative work environment.

Required Education:

Minimum Educational RequirementsHonours Degree in Higher Education Educational Leadership Law Political Sciences International Relations or a related field.

Purpose and Scope of the Role The Academic Planning and Innovation Lead is responsible for providing institutional leadership in academic planning programme direction and innovation. The role defines what the institution offers why it offers it and how it should be positioned within the higher educa...