About the position
Introduction
MANCOSA, a DHET registered and CHE accredited private higher education distance education provider, offering undergraduate and postgraduate business qualifications, has the following vacancy available:
Duties & Responsibilities
CORE FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:
The Academic Programme Leader will provide strategic direction, academic leadership, and operational oversight for the MBA programme. This role requires a dynamic individual who can uphold academic excellence while also strengthening the programme's visibility, credibility, and industry relevance. The position encompasses the following responsibilities:
- Programme Management and Leadership: Align with MANCOSA's vision, mission, and strategy. Establish and maintain programme philosophy, linking it to the institutional vision and mission. Oversee programme lifecycle management, design, and manage the programme's teaching and learning strategy, and handle programme budget management. Collaborate with marketing and student enrolment to communicate the programme's value proposition.
- Programme Planning and Administration: Work closely with the Institutional Planning Department. Identify suitable academics for content development, delivery, and assessment. Ensure quality control of programme information on the website and prospectus.
- Programme Admissions and Delivery: Manage semesterly admissions in line with enrolment plans. Apply programme and institutional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules. Facilitate webinars and oversee assessment development and marking.
- Stakeholder Engagement, Development, and Recognition: Induct academic staff and promote appropriate community engagement initiatives and activities. Strengthen relationships with industry partners, alumni, professional bodies, and external stakeholders. Represent the programme at academic, industry, and public forums to enhance its profile and credibility.
- Student Engagement and Success: Provide programme specific career guidance in collaboration with the Career Centre. Support student success initiatives, including retention, progression, and completion strategies.
- Programme Intelligence: Gather and analyse longitudinal programme and student performance data to feedback into lifecycle management. Report on trend analysis, benchmarking, student throughput, retention, articulation, and dropout rates. Use data insights to drive programme innovation and responsiveness.
- Programme Governance: Participate in programme cyclical reviews in Participate in cyclical programme reviews and accreditation processes. Monitor, evaluate, and manage academic risks associated with the programme. Ensure compliance with regulatory and quality assurance requirements.
Desired Experience & Qualification
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Essential Qualification: A PhD or DBA in Business Administration, Management, Leadership, Strategy, or a closely related field (NQF Level 10)..
• Alternatively: A doctoral degree with a strong research and professional focus aligned to MBA-level subject areas such as Strategic Management, Leadership and Organisational Behaviour, Economics, Finance, Operations and Supply Chain, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or Research Methodology.
• Additional Requirement: Candidates should demonstrate the ability to supervise NQF 9 research and provide academic leadership across the full MBA curriculum.
• ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
- Minimum of 5 years' experience in Higher Education, with exposure to postgraduate programme management or supervision.
- A strong research portfolio, including peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and recognised scholarly contributions.
- Demonstrated expertise in business, management, or leadership disciplines relevant to MBA education.
- Proven academic leadership and decision-making capability.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, digitally enabled environment.
- Proficient in conflict resolution and cooperation.
- Analytical, conceptual, and organizational skills.
- Ability to adapt, cope, and perform effectively in a dynamic environment.
ADVANTAGES:
- Experience in leading or contributing to MBA or postgraduate business programmes.
- Established networks within academia, industry, and professional communities.
- Experience in academic management, curriculum development, or accreditation processes.
- Prior involvement in public speaking, media engagement, or thought-leadership activities.
We are seeking a candidate who is:
- Prominent in their field, with a visible academic and professional footprint.
- Articulate and media-savvy, able to represent the programme confidently in public forums.
- Strategic and innovative, with a forward-looking vision for MBA education.
- Collaborative and influential, capable of leading faculty and inspiring students.
- Committed to excellence, integrity, and the advancement of postgraduate business education.
