Registrar (1 Post) (5-year Fixed-term Contract Appointment)

• The Registrar will provide strategic leadership and institutional governance, and act as Secretary to Council, Senate and the respective sub-committees and structures, and manage student academic administration. The incumbent will be expected to provide leadership in all activities related to Institutional Governance, Legal Frameworks, Academic Administration, Committee Services, Records Management and Legal Services, including serving as the authorised keeper of the University's records. The incumbent reports to the Vice Chancellor and will furthermore be responsible for the key performance areas and competencies listed below:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A Master's degree in Public Administration, Law or a related field
• At least ten 10 years relevant experience in academic administration within a tertiary education or related environment, with the last five 5 years in a senior management capacity
• In-depth knowledge of tertiary education legislation environment and transformation imperatives
• Relevant university administrative experience in policy and legal frameworks and governance structures
• Superior interpersonal skills and must be able to operate at all levels of the organisation
• Strategic leadership and people management skills
• A good understanding and experience of change management implementation

RECOMMENDATION

• A Doctorate would be a strong recommendation
• Knowledge and application of the ITS Student Administration and Governance Information System and appreciation of relevant Governance and Student Administration software programs will be an added advantage

COMPETENCIES

• Technical/ Administrative professional knowledge and skills
• Strategic and visionary leadership
• Understanding of legal frameworks
• Resource management, including people and performance management
• Excellent budget and financial management
• Building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Personal impact, stature and credibility
• Emotional intelligence and political sensitivity
• Management of complexity and ambiguity
• Management of transformation and change management
• Quality assurance and risk management
• Corporate governance
• Decision-making and problem solving
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Action orientated
• Team player

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS KPAs

• Provide strategic leadership and institutional governance to the University in accordance with the Higher Education legislative framework.
• Lead the Office of the Registrar to ensure high performance and enhancement of the service department's image
• Ensure institutional rules and regulations are in place, aligned to Higher Education legislation
• Ensure that Council, Senate and subcommittees and structure meeting procedures are in place to ensure the necessary corporate governance
• Ensure regard for compliance and corporate governance with a view to achieving accountability and best practice
• Ensure that Institutional protocols and procedures are followed and that applicable rules and regulations are complied with
• Continuous review of SMU's system of governance to ensure that best practice is maintained
• Provide legal services and institutional compliance, and provide the necessary legal guidance and oversight for institutional operations
• Act as custodian and depository of binding contracts and agreements
• Advice on matters relating to student discipline to be in compliance with University rules
• Instruct and liaise with the University's attorneys in matters concerning litigation Committee Administration
• Ensure management of the University information compilation for public, applications and admissions
• Manage the registration process of students to ensure bona fide studentship
• Ensure effective and efficient management of examination, students' marks, student records, graduation and certification of students
• Managesthe provision of an institutional registry and archiving system
• Policy and procedure development and administration
• Act as custodian and depository of university policies and procedures
• Manage human resources, including performance management, and lead and inspire staff and provide clear direction
• Perform budget/financial management, with the requisite executive oversight
• Quality assurance and risk management
• Undertake SHE Management section 16 2 responsibilities assigned by OHS Act
• Re-engineer business processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency, and drive innovation
• Manage transformation to ensure the internalization of an organisational and performance culture that supports the strategic imperatives of SMU Stakeholder relations management and partnerships
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including the development of M&E systems for all Registrar functions
• Contributeto the overall development of SMUand actively improve institutional culture

Candidates should submit their applications to the Human Capital and Transformation Department for the attention of Interim Executive Director, Prof Mala Singh at hr.recruitment10@smu.ac.za by no later than 16:00 on the closing date as indicated on this advert.

Deadline:25th September,2026