Job Details

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the position of Senior Director: Communication and Marketing, within Advancement at the University of the Free State (UFS). 

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and operational management of the University’s communication, marketing, media relations, reputation management, branding and stakeholder engagement portfolio, ensuring alignment with the University’s Vision 130 and strategic priorities.
 

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Communication Leadership
•    Develop and implement integrated communication strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
•    Provide leadership for communication, reputation management and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
•    Oversee all communication, including internal and external communication, digital communication and media relations functions.
•    Promote a coherent institutional narrative and ensure consistent messaging across all communication platforms.
•    Oversee the institutional webpage for accuracy and up-to-date information. 

Strategic Marketing Leadership
•    Develop and implement integrated marketing and branding strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
•    Provide leadership for institutional branding across all entities and campuses.
•    Oversee the full spectrum of marketing and advertising functions.
•    Oversee all institutional events and marketing and branding thereof.

Reputation Management and Media Relations
•    Lead proactive and reactive media engagement strategies.
•    Build and maintain strategic relationships with media stakeholders.
•    Monitor institutional reputation and stakeholder sentiment and implement appropriate interventions.
•    Advise senior leadership on communication and reputational matters.

Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Visibility
•    Enhance the visibility and reputation of the University nationally and internationally through appropriate platforms.
•    Coordinate strategic communication initiatives supporting student recruitment, fundraising, alumni engagement, research visibility and institutional partnerships.
•    Support executive leadership in communicating institutional priorities and achievements.

Crisis Communication and Issues Management
•    Coordinate communication responses during institutional incidents and crises.
•    Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and response plans.
•    Provide strategic communication advice to executive leadership during periods of heightened reputational risk.

Leadership and Operational Management
•    Lead and manage the Communication and Marketing Department.
•    Oversee performance management, workforce planning, succession planning and staff development.
•    Manage departmental budgets, procurement activities and resource allocation.
•    Ensure compliance with governance, risk management and institutional policies.

Inherent Job Requirements

•    A master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Communication, Marketing, Public Relations. Journalism, Corporate Communication, Strategic Communication, or a related field.
•    A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in communication, marketing, media relations, stakeholder engagement, or corporate affairs.
•    A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a management role.
•    Proven experience in developing and implementing strategic communication and marketing initiatives.
•    Experience in reputation management and crisis communication.
•    Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams.
•    Experience in budget management and resource allocation. 
•    Experience in stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

Recommendations

•    PhD in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
•    Experience within the higher education sector.
•    Attendance and completion of an executive management programme.
•    Experience in digital communication, social media and content management.
•    Membership of a recognised professional communication or marketing body.
•    Experience working within a complex organisational environment.

Key Competencies Required:

•    Strategic and innovative thinking.
•    Strong leadership and people management skills.
•    Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
•    Relationship building and stakeholder engagement.
•    Media and communication expertise.
•    Experienced media spokesperson.
•    Financial and risk management capability.
•    Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
•    Ability to perform effectively under pressure.
•    High levels of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed here:                                                                    
•    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).
•    Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible or on a date mutually agreed upon by the University and the successful candidate.

Closing date:
14 July 2026

Salary:
The salary is available on request and will be commensurate with the responsibilities attached to the position.

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 051 401 9329 or email VermaakM@ufs.ac.za / 051 401 9848 or email TeateaPR@ufs.ac.za. 

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 under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at: ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.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.