The University of the Western Cape is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic institution rooted in Africa with an expanding global presence. As the University advances its strategic ambitions, effective executive coordination and strategic operations are essential to strengthening institutional alignment and advancing excellence in teaching, learning, research and institutional development.

Reporting to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, the Executive Officer: Strategic Coordination provides high-level strategic and operational support to advance institutional priorities. The role facilitates executive decision-making, translates strategy into coordinated action, monitors strategic initiatives and strengthens alignment across executive portfolios and governance structures.

The role’s strategic impact is measured through improved coordination and timely implementation of executive decisions, progress against institutional priorities, effective monitoring of strategic initiatives, strengthened governance and accountability, and enhanced collaboration across executive portfolios.

Through these contributions, the incumbent enables more responsive decision-making, supports improved institutional performance and advances the achievement of the University’s strategic objectives.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Provide strategic advisory support to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor on institutional priorities, emerging issues, and matters requiring executive intervention.
• Coordinate the implementation of institutional strategy, ensuring alignment between strategic priorities, operational plans, and institutional performance targets.
• Facilitate executive coordination and decision-making across the Rectorate, executive portfolios, and institutional leadership structures.
• Oversee strategic projects and cross-functional initiatives, monitoring progress, addressing implementation challenges, and reporting on key deliverables.
• Coordinate governance processes and executive reporting, including the preparation of strategic submissions, briefing documents, and reports for Council, Senate, and executive committees.
• Oversee executive correspondence and communication, ensuring appropriate prioritisation, timely responses, and escalation of strategic and sensitive matters.
• Facilitate institutional operational oversight, promoting cross-portfolio collaboration, policy compliance, risk management, and effective resolution of complex matters.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government, higher education institutions, nstitutional partners, and other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate high-level stakeholder engagements and institutional representation on behalf of the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, as delegated.
• Provide strategic communication support on institutional matters, ensuring consistent messaging, effective stakeholder engagement, and protection of institutional reputation.
• Oversee executive committee processes, including strategic agendas, decision tracking, action monitoring, and accountability for agreed outcomes.
• Coordinate sensitive institutional matters, including appeals, complaints, disciplinary recommendations, and legal representations, ensuring appropriate consultation and due process.
• Facilitate executive engagement in strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation initiatives aligned with institutional priorities.
• Oversee the effective management of the Office of the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, including administrative operations, information management, resources, and support services.
• Coordinate high-level institutional events, leadership engagements, recognition initiatives, and special projects in support of institutional priorities and executive responsibilities.

Qualification and Experience:

• A relevant doctoral degree at NQF Level 10 or a relevant equivalent qualification.
• At least 10 years’ relevant management experience, preferably within the higher education sector, including at least 5 years in a senior management or equivalent strategic leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and implementation, executive coordination, institutional operations, governance, project oversight and organisational change.
• Proven leadership, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to coordinate cross-functional priorities and facilitate the resolution of complex institutional matters.
• Experience in monitoring institutional performance, managing resources and budgets, overseeing strategic initiatives, and promoting accountability and effective implementation.

Required competencies (skills, knowledge and behavioural attributes):

• Strategic Thinking and Execution: Ability to translate institutional strategy into actionable priorities and provide strategic advice.
• Communication and Executive Reporting: Excellent communication, report writing and preparation of executive briefs and submissions.
• Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Ability to analyse complex issues, anticipate risks and develop effective solutions.
• Executive Coordination and Planning: Strong planning, project management, governance coordination and implementation monitoring skills.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships: Ability to engage senior stakeholders, build strategic partnerships and manage institutional relationships.
• Governance and Legislative Knowledge: Sound understanding of higher education governance, legislation, policy frameworks and sector challenges.
• Professional Judgement and Discretion: Ability to manage sensitive information, exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality.
• Leadership and Adaptability: Credibility, socio-political awareness and the ability to manage complexity, conflict and change.