About the position
Are you an experienced higher education professional with a passion for quality assurance, academic excellence, and operational efficiency? We are seeking a Senior Academic Administration Manager to lead and refine the academic administrative framework that supports a world-class learning environment.
The Senior Academic Admin Manager will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all academic administrative systems to ensure the institution meets internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements (CHE, DHET, and HEQCIS). The right person will be an experienced academic administrator (5+ years), an excellent communicator with strong organisational and project management skills, and will be laser-focused on governance, policy management, and data accuracy across the entire student and academic lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee academic administration and quality assurance systems, ensuring compliance with CHE, DHET, and HEQCIS requirements.
- Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and templates.
- Coordinate governance activities, including Teaching and Learning Committees and Marks Committees.
- Ensure data accuracy and integrity across all student records and audits.
- Manage graduation and certification processes, including verification and credential validation.
- Conduct internal audits and ensure ongoing process and policy adherence.
- Provide leadership and mentorship to administrative staff and interns.
Success in this Role Will Be Demonstrated By:
- Meeting all regulatory reporting deadlines with zero compliance issues.
- Maintaining 100% accuracy in student data, audit outcomes, and graduation records.
- Ensuring all policies and procedures are current, accessible, and consistently applied.
- Driving process improvements and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Building strong, collaborative relationships across departments.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Education, Administration, or a related field.
- At least 5 years’ experience in academic administration, quality assurance, or student records management in higher education.
- Proven knowledge of CHE, DHET, and HEQCIS frameworks and reporting requirements.
- Strong organisational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement policies and processes.
- High attention to detail, accuracy, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
Desirable Attributes
- Certification in Quality Assurance, Project Management, or Data Governance.
- Experience leading a team within academic administration or quality assurance.
- Familiarity with international higher education standards.
Additional Information
- This is a full-time, on-site position based in Johannesburg.
- Working hours: 08:30 – 17:00, Monday to Friday (occasional after-hours work may be required).
- Candidates must have reliable transport.
Please note that only suitable candidates will be contacted.
Desired Skills:
- academic manager
- admin manager
- education manager
