Job description<\/p>\n
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:<\/p>\n
Strategic IT Leadership<\/p>\n
\tDevelop and execute a forward-thinking IT strategy in alignment with the overall digital transformation objectives, ensuring that IT initiatives support academic, research, and administrative priorities.
\n\tLead efforts to adopt and integrate innovative IT solutions that enhance both academic excellence and operational efficiencies across the university.
\n\tCollaborate with university leadership to identify technological needs, and to assess and prioritise technology initiatives.
\n\tPromote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in IT service delivery, ensuring the university stays ahead in leveraging technology trends and digital solutions.
\n\tImplement robust IT governance frameworks to ensure the efficient use of technology, compliance with regulations, and alignment with strategic priorities.
\n\tEstablish IT policies, procedures, and standards that promote cybersecurity, data privacy, and compliance while supporting the university\u2019s strategic objectives.<\/p>\n
Digital Transformation<\/p>\n
\tSpearhead initiatives that integrate emerging technologies (AI, data analytics, cloud computing, etc.) to enhance teaching, learning, and administrative processes.
\n\tCultivate a culture that embraces digital transformation, encourages innovation, and supports adaptability to new technologies across the university.
\n\tLead change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new technology solutions, minimising resistance and maximising stakeholder engagement.
\n\tKeep abreast of emerging technologies and trends in the higher education IT sector and recommend new technologies that could benefit the university.
\n\tEstablish a clear digital transformation vision that aligns with the organisation\u2019s overall goals, focusing on how digital technologies can enhance operations, customer experiences, and strategic outcomes.
\n\tCreate a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap that prioritises key initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, and measurable outcomes, guiding the organization\u2019s transition to a digital-first approach.
\n\tAlign digital transformation initiatives with the university\u2019s AI strategy, incorporating artificial intelligence solutions in academic, research, and operational functions to drive efficiencies and innovation.
\n\tStay ahead of emerging technological trends, recommending and implementing solutions that will advance the university\u2019s digital capabilities.
\n\tOversee the modernisation of IT infrastructure, ensuring that it supports digital initiatives such as cloud computing, AI integration, Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies.
\n\tLead efforts to integrate legacy systems with new digital platforms, ensuring seamless data flow, process automation, and enhanced connectivity across departments.<\/p>\n
Data Management & Analytics<\/p>\n
\tEstablish a robust data governance framework to ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility.
\n\tDevelop and promote data governance frameworks and analytics capabilities that support data-driven decision-making across academic and operational areas.
\n\tUtilise data analytics to inform decision-making, improve student outcomes, and enhance operational efficiency.
\n\tOversee the development of robust data analytics platforms and tools to provide valuable insights that support academic success and operational growth.
\n\tEnsure compliance with relevant data protection regulations, including managing data privacy, security, and risk across the institution.
\n\tDrive the implementation of business intelligence (BI) tools and platforms that enable real-time data analysis, visualization, and reporting, making information accessible and actionable for stakeholders.
\n\tDesign and manage a scalable data infrastructure that supports data collection, storage, integration, and processing, ensuring data is readily available and accessible across systems.<\/p>\n
IT Governance, Cybersecurity and Compliance<\/p>\n
\tOversee the development and implementation of IT policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices in higher education.
\n\tDevelop and oversee cybersecurity strategies to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with regulations (e.g., POPIA, GDPR).
\n\tImplement risk management protocols for IT operations, ensuring the university adheres to best practices in cybersecurity, data protection, and regulatory compliance.
\n\tConduct regular IT audits and assessments to ensure compliance with governance policies, identify gaps, and improve processes.
\n\tImplement robust security infrastructure, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, and endpoint protection, to safeguard IT systems and sensitive information.
\n\tDeploy proactive security measures, including threat detection, incident response, and penetration testing, to identify and respond to cyber threats in real-time.
\n\tConduct regular risk assessments.<\/p>\n
Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement<\/p>\n
\tBuild strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external partners e.g., service providers to drive collaboration on digital transformation projects and IT initiatives.
\n\tAct as a liaison between IT and academic departments, ensuring that technology supports teaching, learning, and research.
\n\tEngage with stakeholders to ensure alignment and smooth adoption of IT initiatives, including digital transformation, AI integration, and data-driven solutions.
\n\tMaintain and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders and partners, nationally and internationally.
\n\tCommunicate and collaborate with peers, departments and the NWU community to articulate the benefits of technology initiatives and build consensus around IT related decisions.<\/p>\n
Project Management<\/p>\n
\tOversee the planning, execution, and delivery of major IT and digital transformation projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
\n\tDevelop metrics to assess the impact of IT projects on academic and operational areas, ensuring alignment with university objectives.<\/p>\n
Resource Management and Optimisation<\/p>\n
\tOptimise resources (software, hardware, employees, and spending) to provide the university with the most value and highest returns on investment.
\n\tManage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective use of financial resources and alignment with strategic priorities.
\n\tIdentify funding opportunities and partnerships to support technology initiatives.
\n\tAnalyse costs, value and risks of information technology to advise leadership and suggest actions.
\n\tManage vendor relationships and contracts and ensure that IT services and solutions meet the university’s needs and standards.
\n\tEnsure that the university\u2019s infrastructure, network, and systems support the university\u2019s objectives.<\/p>\n
Minimum requirements<\/p>\n
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:<\/p>\n
\tA master\u2019s degree in a technical or commercial field or equivalent (NQF level 9).
\n\tA minimum of 10 years\u2019 experience with at least 3 years\u2019 senior executive\/managerial level experience in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment \u2013 experience in higher education would be advantageous.
\n\tMembership of any professional body will be advantageous. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
KEY FUNCTIONAL\/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:<\/p>\n
\tStrategic thinking and vision.
\n\tLeadership and team management.
\n\tExcellent communication and interpersonal skills.
\n\tStrong organisational and project management abilities.
\n\tCommitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
\n\tFinancial acumen and resource management skills.
\n\tStrong analytical and problem-solving skills.
\n\tProven track record of managing complex IT projects and initiatives.
\n\tExpert knowledge of current issues and opportunities associated with information technology and cyber-security related to complex organisations.
\n\tExperience overseeing IT risk management in a complex organisation.
\n\tExperience overseeing the disaster recovery plan of an organisation.
\n\tProven track record of managing complex IT projects and initiatives.<\/p>\n
KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:<\/p>\n
\tAbility to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and to lead complex, cross functional teams.
\n\tStrong organisational skills that demonstrate the ability to perform and prioritise multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
\n\tAwareness of one’s own emotions and the emotions of others, using this understanding to manage relationships and make empathetic decisions.
\n\tFocus on achieving measurable outcomes and driving financial performance that supports the university\u2019s strategic objectives.
\n\tCompetence in leading and managing financial changes, ensuring smooth transitions and effective adaptation to new processes or systems.
\n\tUnderstanding and commitment to the NWU values and the ability to be a credible and effective exponent of these values.<\/p>\n
REMUNERATION:<\/p>\n
\tThe annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.<\/p>\n
CLOSING DATE:\u00a015 August 2025<\/p>\n
go to method of application \u00bb<\/p>\n
Apply via company website ( ) or<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_promoted":"","_job_location":"","_application":"","_company_name":"North West University","_company_website":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_filled":0,"_featured":0,"_remote_position":0,"_job_salary":"","_job_salary_currency":"","_job_salary_unit":""},"job_listing_region":[21],"job-types":[12],"class_list":["post-15869","job_listing","type-job_listing","status-expired","hentry","job_listing_region-north-west","job-type-full-time"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings\/15869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_region?post=15869"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-types?post=15869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}