2 Academic Planning jobs in South Africa

Randburg, South Africa | Posted on 05/20/2025

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The Academic Planning and StrategyManager will play a pivotal role in the strategic academic development ofLyceum College. This position is responsible for the planning, execution, andoversight of all academic programme development, including qualifications andshort learning programmes (SLPs). The incumbent will manage the entirelifecycle of academic offerings, ensuring they align with regulatory frameworksand market demands while fostering innovation in teaching, learning, andquality assurance.

PrimaryDuties and Responsibilities

1.Strategic Leadership in Academic Planning and Development

• Assistwith the formulation and execution of academic strategies that supportLyceum College’s mission and vision, ensuring alignment with institutionaland national higher education goals.
  
• Collaboratewith senior management to ensure academic plans meet the evolving needs ofstudents, the labour market, and regulatory bodies such as DHET, CHE, andSAQA.
  
• Contributeto providing strategic direction for the introduction of newqualifications, ensuring innovation and relevance in the curriculum whilemaintaining alignment with institutional objectives.
  

2.Oversight of Curriculum Design, Development, and Enhancement

• Managethe end-to-end process of curriculum design and development for newprogrammes and short learning courses, ensuring adherence to accreditationstandards.
  
• Leadthe continuous review and improvement of existing curricula to ensureacademic offerings are current, forward-thinking, and aligned with bothlocal and international standards in higher education.
  
• Overseethe integration of research and applied learning methodologies into thecurriculum, promoting the practical application of knowledge across allprogrammes.
  

3.Management of Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensureall academic programmes are compliant with regulatory frameworks, workingclosely with bodies such as CHE, DHET, and SAQA to maintain fullaccreditation.
  
• Leadand coordinate accreditation processes, including the preparation ofnecessary documentation and evidence to support compliance.
  
• Stayabreast of changes in regulatory standards and ensure that programmes areupdated and aligned with current policies, guidelines, and frameworks.
  

4.Programme Review, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• Developand implement a robust framework for the regular evaluation and review ofacademic programmes to ensure continuous improvement in quality,relevance, and compliance.
  
• Usedata analytics to inform decision-making and drive enhancements inprogramme design and delivery, ensuring optimal student outcomes andmarket alignment.
  
• Leadacademic review processes, gathering feedback from external examiners,students, and other stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.
  

5.Cross-Functional Collaboration with Academic and Industry Stakeholders

• Collaborateclosely with heads of faculties, academic staff, and institutionaldepartments to ensure cohesive academic planning and execution.
  
• Engagewith external stakeholders, including industry partners, alumni, andprofessional bodies, to ensure academic offerings remain relevant andaligned with market needs.
  
• Act asone of three liaisons between Lyceum College and external regulatorybodies, ensuring compliance with accreditation requirements and fosteringpositive relationships.
  

6.Resource Allocation and Optimisation for Programme Delivery

• Planand oversee the allocation of academic resources, including staff,facilities, and materials, to ensure the effective and efficient deliveryof all programmes.
  
• Workclosely with the finance team to develop and manage academic budgets thatsupport programme development, resource optimization, and strategicpriorities.
  
• Monitorresource utilization to ensure that both students and faculty have accessto the tools and support they need to achieve academic success.
  

7.Quality Assurance and Academic Standards Management

• Implementand help oversee quality assurance processes for all academic offerings,ensuring alignment with institutional policies and national highereducation standards.
  
• Collaboratewith the QA Head and other members of the Regulatory Directorate to develop and maintain qualityimprovement plans, tracking their implementation and effectiveness acrossall programmes.
  
• Ensurethat all academic material, including faculty handbooks and fact sheets,adheres to the highest standards of accuracy, clarity, and compliance.
  

8.Driving Innovation in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

• Fostera culture of innovation in teaching and learning, promoting the adoptionof new educational technologies and pedagogical methods that enhancestudent engagement and success.
  
• Supportthe development and continuous improvement of assessment strategies,ensuring they are aligned with best practices in higher education.
  
• Leadacademic staff development initiatives, encouraging the use of innovativeinstructional techniques and tools to elevate the learning experience.
  

9.Governance, Risk Management, and Policy Compliance

• Ensureall academic planning activities are compliant with institutionalgovernance structures and risk management protocols, adhering to thehighest standards of academic integrity.
  
• Monitorchanges in higher education legislation, advising senior management onnecessary policy updates and adjustments to maintain compliance.
  
• Leadthe coordination of the Academic Planning Committee, a subcommittee of theTeaching and Learning Committee, ensuring alignment with institutionalgoals and policies.
  

KeyPerformance Indicators (KPIs)

ProjectManagement and Delivery of Academic Programmes

• Leadand manage the lifecycle of all programme design and development projects,from initial conception through to accreditation, ensuring timely andquality-driven delivery.
  
• Coordinatethe recruitment and management of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), contentdevelopers, and independent contractors, overseeing their contributions toprogramme development.
  
• Ensurethat all academic material is developed in line with institutionaltemplates, policies, and compliance requirements, promoting high-qualitycontent creation for Lyceum Online.
  

Leadershipin Academic Support and Programme Development

• Provideguidance, mentorship, and leadership to the broader academic team,fostering a collaborative environment where innovation in academicprogramme development thrives.
  
• Supportacademic teams in the continuous development of new and existingprogrammes, ensuring alignment with national and international highereducation best practices.
  

Compliancewith Accreditation and Regulatory Requirements

• Ensurethat all programmes are fully accredited and compliant with CHE, DHET, andSAQA regulations, maintaining a high standard of quality in academicofferings.
  
• Leadthe coordination and preparation of accreditation submissions, ensuringall necessary documentation is comprehensive, accurate, and aligned withregulatory requirements.
  

Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies

MinimumEducational Requirements

• Master’sDegree in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Law or a relatedfield.
  

Experienceand Expertise

• Aminimum of 4 years’ experience in higher education, with at least 3 yearsin a leadership or senior management role.
  
• Proventrack record in academic planning, programme development, and qualityassurance in a higher education setting.
  
• Experiencewith South African higher education policies and accreditation processes,particularly with CHE and DHET.
  
• Strongunderstanding of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework andHEMIS reporting systems.
  

Skillsand Knowledge

• Expertisein project management, academic programme design, and curriculumdevelopment.
  
• Advancedreport writing, data analysis, and interpretation skills, with the abilityto use data to drive decision-making.
  
• In-depthknowledge of higher education policies related to teaching, learning, andquality assurance, particularly within private higher educationinstitutions.
  
• Stronginterpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with diverseteams and external stakeholders.
  

BehaviouralAttributes

• Leadership
  

Strong leadership capabilities with theability to guide and inspire teams towards achieving strategic academic goals.

Ability to make well-informed decisionsin a timely manner, even in complex and high-pressure environments.

• Inclusivity
  

Sensitivity to diversity and the abilityto foster an inclusive, collaborative work environment.