About the position
Background:
- Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd (WHC) is a wholly owned company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
- Established in 1998, WHC serves as the operational and administrative backbone through which the University—primarily its Faculty of Health Sciences—conducts research, manages grant and donor-funded initiatives, supports clinical trials, and drives innovation in health sciences
- WHC provides administrative and financial support services to a wide range of research entities and divisions
- These divisions are often formed by researchers affiliated to the Faculty of Health Sciences, enabling WHC to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects with professionalism and efficiency
- The Consortium operates a unique and widely recognised Shared Services Centre (SSC) that delivers integrated support across grant management, human resources, finance, legal compliance, and quality assurance
- WHC’s skilled teams bring expertise in navigating the regulatory, ethical, and operational frameworks required for successful health research and development
- WHC’s stakeholders include university leadership, academic faculties, researchers, donors, sponsors, and international funding bodies
Reports to:
Employment Type:
- Five-year Fixed Term Contract, renewable for a futher term (5 years) based on performance and alignment with strategic objectives
Salary:
- Market related CTC package
Main purpose of the job:
- The CEO of WHC will provide visionary and ethical leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to ensure WHC continues to be a globally respected entity
- The CEO will be responsible for driving excellence in governance, financial sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and innovation, while aligning WHC’s mission with the broader goals of the University of the Witwatersrand
Location:
Key performance areas:
- Develop and execute WHC’s strategic plan in alignment with University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) innovation and research priorities
- Strengthen collaboration between WHC and FHS schools and departments
- Support divisions with innovation and growth into new markets and partnerships
- Foster a culture of entrepreneurial capacity, excellence, innovation, and ethical leadership across all WHC divisions
- Oversee the Shared Services Centre and ensure efficient, effective delivery of administrative, Grants, Financial, Legal, and HR support to over 100 research entities
- Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks, funder / donor requirements, and familiarity with and alignment to university policies
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting for WHC and its subsidiaries
- Ensure responsible management of sponsor and donor funds, exceeding USD 150 million annually
- Work closely with the WHC Board and oversee the effective management of administrative matters related to WHC committees and Board subcommittees, ensuring governance processes are streamlined and compliant
Required minimum education and training:
- Relevant Post-Graduate Business / Financial / Commerce Degree or Diploma, and/or Professional Degree
- A Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Leadership will be advantageous
Required minimum work experience:
- 10+ years’ management and operational experience including a minimum of 5 years leading an executive team
- Proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and stakeholder engagement
- Understanding of the South African and global health funding and research landscape
- Experience in a grant / donor funded or non-profit environment
- Understanding of an academic environment, collaborating effectively with leading scientists and researchers
Required leadership competencies:
- Integrity and Accountability: Demonstrates a strong ethical compass, transparency, and responsible leadership in all decision-making processes
- Resilience and Emotional Intelligence: Leads with empathy and composure, particularly in high-pressure or complex environments
- Professionalism and Objectivity: Upholds integrity, objectivity, and professional competence, with a commitment to due care and ethical standards
- Commercial Acumen: Applies sound commercial judgement and maintains a strong focus on business performance and strategic outcomes
- Relationship Management: Builds and maintains effective working relationships, with strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
- Negotiation and Influence: Demonstrates effective negotiation skills and the ability to influence outcomes constructively and strategically. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage academic, technical, and non-technical audiences
- People Orientation: Values and supports team collaboration, development, and well-being, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment
- Practical Execution: Adopts a hands-on approach to problem-solving and implementation, ensuring operational efficiency and accountability
TO APPLY:
- Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV PLUS A COPY OF YOUR ID PLEASE (Compulsary)
- Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
- This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
- However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
- Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
- Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
- Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
- Closing date: 30 October 2025
- Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date
Please note:
- WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
- AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
- AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position
Desired Skills:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Master’s Degree
- NGO/NPO
- Parktown
- Post-graduate
- Honours
- Business Administration
