Job Details

The University of the Free State (UFS) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position of Faculty Manager in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Reporting to the Dean, the Faculty Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership and professional management of the Faculty’s administrative, operational, financial, governance and academic support functions. The incumbent will ensure the effective delivery of professional support services, enabling the Faculty to achieve its academic, research and community engagement objectives while ensuring compliance with University policies, statutory requirements and professional accreditation standards.

As a member of the Faculty Executive Management Team, the Faculty Manager contributes to strategic planning, institutional transformation, operational excellence and continuous improvement across the Faculty.

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll  - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered. 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 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).
•    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).

Duties and responsibilities:
•    Provide strategic leadership and operational management of the Faculty's administrative and professional support services in support of the Faculty's Strategic and Operational Plans. 
•    Manage the Faculty's financial planning, budgeting, expenditure monitoring, resource allocation and management reporting to ensure financial sustainability and responsible stewardship of University resources. 
•    Lead faculty governance processes, including committee administration, policy implementation, compliance, quality assurance, risk management, regulatory reporting and institutional planning. 
•    Manage, develop and support the Faculty's professional services staff through effective performance management, recruitment support, succession planning, talent development and organisational development initiatives, while promoting transformation and Employment Equity objectives. 
•    Direct the Faculty's academic administration across the student lifecycle, including admissions, registration, academic records, examinations, graduations, enrolment planning and related academic processes. 
•    Build and maintain productive relationships with academic departments, central support divisions, students, professional councils, statutory bodies and other internal and external stakeholders to support the Faculty's strategic objectives. 
•    Ensure operational excellence through the effective management of administrative systems, facilities, infrastructure, business continuity, continuous process improvement and institutional reporting.

Inherent requirements:
•    An Honours degree or equivalent qualification on NQF Level 8 in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Management, Management, Commerce or a related field.
•    A minimum of five (5) years' experience in academic administration at a senior level within a higher education environment.
•    A minimum of five (5) years' experience in managing and leading professional or administrative teams.
•    Demonstrated knowledge of the Higher Education Act, higher education governance structures, quality assurance frameworks and relevant legislation.
•    Experience in servicing executive-level committees and managing governance processes.
•    Proven experience in strategic planning, operational management and financial management.

Recommendations:
•    A relevant Master's degree on NQF Level 9.
•    Experience within a Faculty of Health Sciences or a comparable complex academic environment.
•    Knowledge of professional accreditation and regulatory requirements applicable to Health Sciences programmes.
•    Experience in organisational change management, digital transformation and business process improvement.
 

Required competencies: 
•    Results oriented.
-    The ability to set high standards, establish tough goals, and to work to achieve success.
-    The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
•    Strategic thinking.
-    The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
-    The ability to focus on details, work towards perfection, and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
-    The ability to lead change and manage multiple strategic priorities simultaneously.
•    Business Acumen:
-    The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
-    Proficient in using all programmes of MS Office.
-    Strategic leadership and sound business acumen. 
-    Excellent organisational, planning and financial management skills.
-    Strong analytical, report writing and presentation skills.
•    Leading.
-    The ability to lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others. 
-    The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
-    Strong people leadership, coaching and talent development capabilities.
•    Building coalitions
-    The ability to negotiate, sell, influence and to persuade others.
-    The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
-    Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
3 August 2026

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 feel free to contact 051 401 2876 or email SeitlhekoLP@ufs.ac.za  or Recruit@ufs.ac.za. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979/ 9813  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 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.