Manager: Student Development - Department of Student Affairs

Manager: Student Development - Department of Student Affairs Human Resources University of Pretoria Pretoria , South Africa Until 2026/07/20 Full time On-site Job description UP Professional and Support

DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

MANAGER: STUDENT DEVELOPMENT – 1 YEAR FIXED-TERM CONTRACT

(POSSIBLE RENEWAL FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS, SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS)

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 7

Autres informations

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy. The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

JOB PURPOSE

Formation / Diplômes

The Manager: Student Development will lead the development, coordination, and implementation of the University’s systems, structures, and strategic frameworks for holistic student development. This role is responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating integrated student development programmes, such as mentorship, student entrepreneurship, leadership development, and co-curricular engagement across diverse learning and living environments. The incumbent will contribute to the strategic positioning of student development as a core institutional approach to advancing access, student success, and transformation, while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, legislative and policy frameworks, and national imperatives. The role further provides the necessary structures, support, and enabling environments to respond to student needs and to address the learning, developmental, and contextual factors that shape students’ engagement, progression, and holistic growth within the university.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidates’ responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Strategic Leadership and Student Development Integration Provide strategic leadership in the development and implementation of an integrated Student Development Strategy aligned to institutional goals for access, development, and success. Lead the integration and alignment of student development initiatives across the Unit, Department of Student Affairs, faculties, and residences to ensure coherence, sustainability, and shared outcomes. Drive evidence-based innovation and continuous improvement through evaluation, benchmarking, and the adoption of national and international best practices in student development. Programme Management and Coordination Oversee the planning, implementation, and coordination of structured student development programmes, including mentorship, leadership development, and student entrepreneurship initiatives. Establish and manage monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems to assess programme effectiveness and inform decision-making. Coordinate the recruitment, training, support, and recognition of student leaders, mentors, and facilitators to enhance participation and retention. Collaboration and Integration Build and sustain collaborative partnerships with faculties, residences, and institutional stakeholders to ensure integrated delivery and visibility of student development programmes. Collaborate across the Unit for Student Development and Disability to embed student development principles into relevant programmes and services. Represent student development initiatives on institutional committees, working groups, and external forums. Capacity Building, Research, and Innovation Design and deliver research-informed training and development opportunities for staff, mentors, and student leaders involved in student development. Conduct and support research, evaluation, and benchmarking related to student engagement, retention, and success. Leverage digital platforms, learning technologies, and data analytics to enhance programme reach, accessibility, and reporting. Governance, Finance, and Administration

Localisation

Ensure effective financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation in accordance with UP policies and governance frameworks. Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation to support institutional accountability and quality assurance. Contribute to operational planning, strategic reporting, and institutional review processes within the Unit and Department.

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Student Affairs, Higher Education or related field. Minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience, of which at least 3 years must be at a management level, in student development or student affairs within a higher education environment.

Expérience

Proven experience in implementation and coordination of programmes, projects and events. Proven experience in training, facilitation and mentor development.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

Knowledge of: Student development theory and practice within higher education. Higher education gov

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