Deputy Director : School of Communication (PD00012)

Listing reference: nwu_004643
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 30 September 2026
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: Vanderbijlpark
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
Remuneration: The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
About our company
NWU
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (VANDERBIJLPARK CAMPUS) | FACULTY OF HUMANITIES-SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION| POSITION NUMBER: PD00012|VACANCY: DEPUTY DIRECTOR: SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION VC|PEROMNES GRADE: N/A EMPLOYMENT TYPE: FIXED TERM APPOINTMENT
Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

As the most senior representative of the School on a campus, manage the operational delivery, performance and quality to achieve the faculty Teaching and Learning Plan and provide functional and academic leadership in respect of the objectives of the School on campus and in all modes of delivery.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.           Strategy Development:

                          Co-determine the School Teaching and Learning Plan and joint accountability with the School Director for the implementation thereof

                          Jointly accountable for the successful implementation of the NWU Teaching and Learning plan

                          Translate the School Teaching and Learning Plan into a campus implementation plan and operationalise.

2.           Operational Management:

                          Manage the day-to-day operational delivery, work allocation, performance and quality ensuring alignment with the faculty plan

                          Co- determine School annual strategic plan, joint accountability with School Director for planning the operationalisation of the academic offering of the school.

3.           Teaching and Learning, including Higher Degree Supervision:

                          Implement faculty teaching and learning practices and processes on campus and drive alignment within the School in terms of programmes and modes of delivery.

                          Improve the design of the School qualifications / curriculum / programmes to ensure shortfalls are addressed against external and internal programme evaluations and reviews

                          Devise and implement improvement plans post programme reviews

                          Innovative use of technology and all media, optimum levels of standardisation of delivery for undergraduate programmes, quality assurance and a rich diverse learning experience, joint accountability

                          Implement continuous qualification, curriculum and programme alignment in relation to faculty plan, NWU academic standards and assessments framework

                          Implement systems or processes to monitor and pro-actively identify at risk students and risk modules that would impact student success

                          Determine strategies to improve student success and maximise opportunities to secure Government grants based on undergraduate throughput and student success

                          Implement and oversee a secure environment for assessment and moderation

                          Participate in enrolment planning to ensure optimal enrolment as per faculty plan

                          Actively manage the registration of students, joint accountability with the Director Student Academic Administration

                          Direct academic integrity matters and termination of studies due to poor academic performance on Campus

                          Joint accountability to achieve the integration of research outputs into teaching and learning to enhance professional qualifications and graduate employability.

4.           Student Relations:

                          Liaise with students and parents, build relationships and resolve escalations

                          Joint accountability for active marketing of the School to improve students’ identification and association with the School and its operation. 

5.           External Relationships: Social Responsiveness and Industry Involvement:

                          Collaborate and build effective relationships for success model delivery

                          Liaise with regional, industry, statutory and professional regulatory bodies

                          In consultation with the School Director, position and promote the School and ultimately the NWU Brand, through effective marketing and communication, relationships with local government, the community, industry, students, parents and alumni and other stakeholders

                          In consultation with the School Director promote internationalisation and commercialisation.

6.           Academic Leadership, Management and Administration:

                          Faculty effectiveness and efficiency inclusive of infrastructure and facilities, joint accountability

                          Programme and Research entities effectiveness, joint accountability

                          Joint accountability with leadership team for management effectiveness of the School.

                          Stakeholder relationship development and effectiveness

                          Corporate governance conformance, reporting and risk management

                          Cost management and cost-effectiveness

                          Processes and systems design, implementation, effectiveness and efficiency

                          Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development

                          Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance.

7.           Risk and compliance management:

a, Risk management

b, Compliance and Business Continuity

c, Financial management:

                          a & b. Implementing and participating in an integrated risk- and compliance management model with a focus on business continuity and disaster recovery strategies.

                          c. Plan, organise, control, monitor and evaluate the financial resources in your organisation unit, in alignment with the NWU financial policy and guidelines, in order to achieve the overall objectives of the unit as set out in the strategy and the APP for the organisation unit/entity.

8.           People management:

                          Create an enabling leadership culture by developing a shared direction, shared values and alignment and commitment to transform the organisational culture; Foster a participative and developmental leadership style; improve team cohesion, synergy and effectiveness.

                          Develop a Strategic Workforce Plan that builds proportions of African and People with disabilities and implement the Plan.

                          Arrange and implement culture improvement interventions, establish a baseline, receive a report and feedback and implement; actively remove engagement barriers.

Minimum requirements

                          A MA/PhD in a relevant discipline (NQF Level 9/10).

                          A minimum of three (3) years' significant experience in higher education

                          A minimum of three (3) years' middle management experience

                          Accreditation and/or membership of appropriate academic and professional networks.

                          Professional registration where applicable.

 

  KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

                          Thorough knowledge of the RSA Higher Education system

                          Acceptable knowledge of student life cycle and matters pertaining to academic standards and qualifications

                          Well-developed information and communication technology proficiency

                          Acceptable management accountancy proficiency

                          Acceptable contract development and management proficiency

                          Acceptable knowledge of approaches to student access and support and curriculum design and delivery within the applicable academic fields.

 

  Behavioural Competencies:

                          Strong communication skills both verbal and written

                          Language skills in order to function optimally in the different multilingual environments of the NWU

                          Good interpersonal relations

                          The ability to work with large groups of people

                          The ability to accommodate multiculturalism.

 

 REMUNERATION:

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

 

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                    Prof Lida Holtzhausen. on 018 2991645

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Byron Louw on 018 285 2304

CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                             30 September 2026

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:                                                           1 January 2027

 

Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

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