Group Executive: Corporate Services at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The NRF seeks to appoint a Group Executive to provide strategic leadership and integrated oversight of the NRF’s Corporate Services portfolio, encompassing People & Culture, Corporate Communications and Marketing, and Estate Management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to strategic deliberations at Executive and Board levels, providing substantive insights that inform the development and refinement of the organisational Strategy and Annual Performance Plan
• Provide long-term strategic perspective by aligning functional goals, plans, and priorities with the organisation’s Mission and Vision, ensuring an appropriate balance between immediate operational demands and long-term institutional objectives
• Lead the conceptualisation, design, and implementation of functional strategies and plans within the portfolio, ensuring full alignment with the organisation’s overarching strategic direction
• Lead, direct, and integrate Corporate Support Services to enable an efficient, service-oriented, and high-performance organisational culture
• Lead the formulation, approval and institutionalisation of enterprise-wide corporate services policies, frameworks and governance standards aligned with NRF strategy and public sector regulatory requirements
• Provide executive oversight of People & Culture (P&C) Estates Management, Corporate Communications, and Stakeholder Relations to ensure consistent service delivery across the NRF
• Establish a strategic operating model that positions Corporate Services as an institutional business partner enabling operational effectiveness and organisational transformation
• Establish and oversee service level agreements, standards, and implementation guidelines to ensure quality and accountability
• Lead continuous improvement and institutional benchmarking of corporate service delivery against national and international best practices in public sector and research organisations
• Strengthen coordination across Corporate Services functions to improve integration, operational efficiency, and value creation
• Champion the strategic modernisation and digital transformation of corporate service systems, platforms, and information management infrastructure across the NRF
• Promote a values-driven people management philosophy and learning culture through effective Human Resources (HR) and organisational development strategies
• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction and governance for NRF’s HR strategy, policies, and workforce planning to support current and future organisational needs
• Oversee the delivery of integrated HR services, encompassing transactional excellence, transformational people initiatives, strategic talent management, performance optimisation, and workforce analytics to drive organisational effectiveness
• Provide strategic oversight of labour relations to ensure the consistent application of fair labour practices across the NRF
• Provide strategic oversight and support enterprise salary negotiations, disciplinary and grievance processes, dispute resolution, and cases referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the Labour Court
• Ensure the effective functioning of labour relations structures and compliance with conditions of service and employment legislation
• Provide strategic oversight of the development and implementation of employee wellness and assistance programmes to support employee wellbeing and productivity
• Provide strategic leadership for Employment Equity (EE) processes in collaboration with the EE Committee to ensure legislative compliance and transformation objectives are met
• Lead the promotion of a workplace environment that encourages inclusion, fairness, and positive employee relations
• Lead the development of a Communications Strategy and drive the implementation of the Strategy and policy to facilitate the implementation of integrated marketing communications within the Organisation
• Design and prepare a framework for the delivery and distribution of internally focussed publications such as newsletters, circulars, and brochures to ensure that staff is kept abreast of developments within the Organisation, and to continuously enhance understanding of the Organisation and its activities
• Oversee the generation and editing of leadership communications, effectively capturing the voice and strategic priorities of the CEO and executive leadership teamOversee the professional management of all digital and print publicationsLead and manage Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives for the organisationProvide strategic oversight of estate management to ensure safe, compliant, and fit-for-purpose working environments
• Ensure compliance with all facilities-related legislation, including Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards across NRF sites
• Provide strategic oversight of audits, inspections, and risk assessments to ensure facilities, safety, and security systems meet the required standards
• Provide governance over disaster recovery, emergency response, evacuation, and contingency planning
• Provide executive leadership for corporate services programmes and portfolios to ensure efficient delivery and operational excellenceProvide strategic oversight of planning and execution of projects to ensure timely delivery, quality outcomes, and strategic alignment
• Provide strategic oversight of effective reporting, data integrity, and governance of information within Corporate Services
• Champion a citizen- and partner-centric approach in all engagements, ensuring that stakeholder feedback is integrated into strategic and operational improvements
• Lead the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies, frameworks, and plans that reinforce organisational sustainability, performance, and public value
• Provide visionary leadership and mentorship to the division’s Management teams, fostering a culture of continuous professional growth, capability development, and robust succession planning
• Ensure the prudent and compliant utilisation of the Division’s financial resources in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and related guidelines
• Ensure full adherence to all applicable legislation, regulatory frameworks, sector standards, internal policies, and governance requirements relevant to the Executive portfolio
• Establish and maintain robust systems, processes, and controls that promote institutional integrity, mitigate compliance risk, and support effective oversight
• Drive a culture of accountability and ethical conduct by ensuring organisational awareness of statutory obligations and by promoting consistent compliance practices across business units

Minimum Qualification:

• Masters Degree / NQF 9

Minimum Experience:

• 15-18 years

• A Minimum of Masters degree (NQF level 9) preferably in Leadership and Business Management
• A people management and corporate relations qualification will be an advantage
• 15 years of relevant experience in corporate services, including Human Resources management, with a minimum of 5 years at the Executive level
• Demonstrable experience in engaging with organised labour/Unions

Experience:

• Strategic Leadership & DirectionGovernance, Risk and ComplianceHuman Resources & Organisational DevelopmentFinancial & Resource Management Operational ExcellenceStakeholder & Relationship ManagementChange Management & transformation leadershipCross-functional integration Executive advisory capability (to CEO, EXCO & Board)Health, Safety & Risk managementBusiness continuity & ResilienceExcellent problem-solving skillsProject and portfolio management Ability to influence and negotiate and being consultative Oral and written communication Presentation skills Marketing skills

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge in People and Culture/Human Resources managementStrong Public sector governance knowledge such as PFMASound knowledge of the South African labour legislative framework, including the labour relations, BCEA, Employment Equity Act and other relevant legislation
• Extensive knowledge of corporate communication, including media relations, stakeholder engagement, brand and reputation management, digital communication platforms and crisis communication, with an understanding of applicable legislation such as POPIA and PAIAExtensive knowledge in Estate (Facilities) Management including building operations, health and safety compliance, asset management, contract management within regulated environment

The NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Desired Skills:

• Skilled in applied field of position
• Knowledge to be relevant
• Responsible in performing duties

About The Employer:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) was established through an Act of Parliament – Act 23 of 1998 (as amended). As a government mandated research and science development agency the NRF funds research, the development of high-end Human Capacity and critical research infrastructure to promote knowledge production across all disciplinary fields, including the Humanities and Social Science. The goal of the NRF is to create innovative funding instruments, advance research career development, increase public science engagement and establish leading-edge research platforms that will transform the scientific landscape and inspire a representative research community to aspire to global competitiveness. The NRF promotes South African research and innovation interests across the country and internationally, and together with research institutions, business, industry and international partners builds bridges between research communities for mutual benefit that contributes to National Development.