OPERATIONS DIRECTOR (AD05)

Department: Graduate School of Business Administration

About the Role:

The role is ideally suited to a values-driven leader who combines strategic insights with operational rigour, and who is motivated by purpose as much as performance. At Wits Business School, operations is not a back-office function but rather a critical enabler of impact, excellence, and long-term relevance.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership of WBS operational functions including finance, human resources, facilities, marketing, academic programme management
• Driving operational efficiency, service excellence, and continuous improvement across the School
• Overseeing and supporting the delivery and scaling of degree programmes, research and Executive Education initiatives
• Ensuring sound financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, including oversight of donor-funded projects and centres.
• Strengthening systems, processes, and digital enablement to support business transformation
• Managing compliance, governance, and audit requirements in line with the University and regulatory frameworks
• Leading and developing high-performing professional and administrative teams
• Acting as a strategic partner to the Head of School, faculty leadership, and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting resource mobilisation initiatives through effective stakeholder engagement, donor liaison, partnership support, and operational oversight of externally funded initiatives.
• Providing operational leadership and governance support to donor-funded centres, including reporting, compliance, sustainability planning, and stakeholder coordination.
• Leading within a complex and evolving higher education environment by demonstrating adaptability, resilience, strategic agility, and the ability to navigate uncertainty and institutional complexity.
• Develop and manage the School’s annual budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources, monitoring, and controlling expenses, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and maintaining financial sustainability
• Identify and mitigate operational risks by implementing appropriate protocols, and developing and maintain business continuity plans
• Oversee the management and utilisation of technology infrastructure and information systems to support teaching, research, and administrative functions.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology for operational efficiency and effectiveness
• Oversee the management of the School’s facilities, including classrooms, offices, and other infrastructure. Ensuring a safe, functional, and conducive learning and work environment for students, faculty, and staff
• Oversee the development and implementation of HR strategies, policies, and practices, performance management, employee relations and talent development
• Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy to enhance the visibility and reputation of the School.
• Provide effective and efficient customer service to all stakeholders.
• Effective management of direct reports and set out performance outputs and measurements.

Knowledge Skills and Attitude

• Leading transformation
• Courage and decisiveness
• Empowerment
• Strategic agility to pivot when required
• Business Acumen
• Judgment
• Relationship building
• Results driven
• Tenacity
• Adaptability and resilience
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and complexity
• Stakeholder and donor relationship management
• Systems thinking and change navigation

Requirements

• Post-graduate qualification in Operations Management / Business Administration / related field
• 10 Years of relevant operational management experience, including 5 years in a senior leadership role in a large organisation
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and oversee functions such as human resources, facilities, technology, marketing, administration and service delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex operational environments, preferably including donor-funded programmes, partnerships, or centres.
• Management experience in a university or higher education environment would be advantageous.

Additional details

• Understanding of Facilities Management Principles
• Understanding and/or exposure to Information Technology
• Understanding of Marketing Management (Digital)
• Understanding of HR Industry Norms
• Understanding of Financial Principles
• Project Management Principles
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, improve operational efficiency and lead transformation.