PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Director Academic Systems plays a pivotal role in driving NWU’s digital transformation ensuring that technology effectively supports teaching, learning, research, and administrative processes. This role forms part of NWU’s IT leadership, with the responsibility of planning, development, and delivery of digital solutions that enable academic and operational efficiency. The Academic Systems Director oversees teams responsible for systems that enable collaboration, communication, and productivity across the institution. He/She ensures that T&L solutions are user-focused, reliable, and aligned with the university’s strategic goals, additionally the Director fosters innovation, promotes digital literacy, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that academic and office technologies meet evolving institutional needs while maintaining compliance, security, and service excellence standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Business solutions management

• Oversee the planning, design, and deployment of business solutions that support teaching, learning, research, and office operations.
• Manage the sourcing, implementation, integration and maintenance of the Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring it effectively supports teaching, learning, and student engagement.
• Ensure that new solutions meet user requirements, comply with governance standards, and are scalable and sustainable.
• Drive continuous improvement of existing systems through upgrades, automation, and process optimisation.
• Oversee the management, development, and support of the institutional web platform and related digital services, ensuring they align with branding, accessibility, and user experience standards.
• Oversee the management and support of Research Management Systems and Library systems, ensuring they effectively support scholarly activity and resource accessibility.
• Practical support of exam management systems, ensuring reliability and integrity in assessment processes.
• Support video conferencing meetings for high-stake meetings of the NWU.
• Manage a virtualisation system that underpins Teaching and Learning activities.
• Oversee the implementation, governance, and optimisation of the Microsoft 365 suite and the Power Platform (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, etc.) to enhance productivity, automation, and business process efficiency.
• Promote system integration and interoperability across platforms to improve data flow, efficiency, and user experience.

2. Strategic Management

• Contributes to NWU’s broader digital transformation efforts, ensuring that T&L solutions align with the university's strategic goals.
• Ensure that IT initiatives and resources are aligned with the university's overall strategic goals and objectives, particularly within the academic sphere. 
• Drive digital transformation within the academic environment, creating a seamless and integrated digital experience for students and faculty.
• Provide strategic direction for the development and integration of enterprise applications and systems.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and digital optimisation in academic and administrative processes.

3. Financial Management

• Develop and manage capital and operational budgets for IT-AS.
• Ensure efficient allocation of resources and cost-effective use of technology.
• Oversee procurement and vendor contracts for related T&L solutions to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Implement and maintain a Software Asset Management (SAM) framework to optimise software licensing, ensure legal compliance, and reduce unnecessary expenditure.

4. Stakeholder engagement

• Build strong relationships with Faculty, Research and Support divisions to understand business needs and future goals.
• Facilitate collaboration between IT teams, business units, and external partners to ensure fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Lead effective communication and change management initiatives during system implementation.
• Ensure lecturer and student needs and feedback are considered when developing and implementing IT solutions, especially for Learning Management System (LMS), Research and related systems.
• Engage with technology vendors to evaluate and procure new systems and solutions.
• Partner with leading institutions or organisations where technology solutions are shared.
• Establish clear and consistent communication channels with all stakeholders.
• Engage stakeholders early in the project lifecycle to allow for input and feedback. leading to better solutions.
• Actively promote transformation and seek to narrow the digital divide at all levels.

5. IT programme management

• Establish and maintain a structured program management framework for IT-AS initiatives.
• Oversee the planning, prioritisation, and execution of multiple IT and business solution projects, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic goals.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and resources to ensure project dependencies, timelines, and risks are effectively managed.
• Monitor and report on program performance, progress, and outcomes to executive stakeholders.
• Ensure project governance, quality assurance, and compliance with institutional and IT policies, standards and guidelines.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and change management to support successful adoption of new systems and processes.

6. Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of business analysts and support specialists.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Ensure skills development and succession planning within the team.
• Implement metrics and KPIs to monitor solution performance and impact.
• Ensure timely resolution of incidents and continuous improvement in service standards.

7. Cybersecurity 

• Oversee the implementation of cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices across all IT-AS-managed systems and solutions.
• Collaborate with IT-IP (Infrastructure and Platforms) to align on institutional cybersecurity strategy and risk management frameworks.
• Ensure that all IT-AS business and academic systems adhere to data protection regulations (e.g., POPIA) and university governance requirements.
• Manage risk assessments and security audits for new and existing solutions, ensuring vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated.
• Promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness among staff and system users through training and communication initiatives. 

• A master’s degree in Computer Science, Information technology, or a related field (NQF level 9).
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ specialist information technology experience of which four (4) years should be on management level, preferably within the higher education environment.

ADDED ADVANTAGE & PREFERENCE:

• A doctoral degree (NQF level 10).

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• A strong understanding of higher education academic software and management processes
• A good understanding of IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, and cloud computing is essential. This includes knowledge of relevant IT standards and practices such as ITIL and NIST
• Effectively manage IT projects and portfolios, ensuring they align with the university's strategic goals.
• Leading a team of IT professionals, fostering a positive work environment, and ensuring their development and growth.
• Develop and implement an IT strategy that supports the university's overall mission and objectives, including digital transformation initiatives.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills are crucial to work with various departments, stakeholders, and external partners
• Attract, retain, and develop IT talent, aligning with the university's talent pool strategy.
• Identifying and implementing strategies to optimize critical processes, enhance efficiency, and improve communication.
• Understand the unique needs and challenges of IT in a higher education environment.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical thinking / Problem solving.
• Building interpersonal relationships.
• Client/student service and support.
• Communication.
• Planning and organising/work management.
• Quality commitment/work standards.
• Teamwork / collaboration.
• University awareness.
• Leadership and Strategic Thinking.
• Innovation and Change Management.
• Resilience and Adaptability.