Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Stellenbosch University (SU) invites applications from visionary, values-driven, and collaborative leaders for the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) within a higher education institution.

Reporting directly to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, the COO serves as the University’s chief operational executive, responsible for ensuring the long-term sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of the University’s operational environment. The incumbent provides strategic and integrated leadership across infrastructure, facilities management, information technology, risk management, and institutional support services, ensuring that these domains enable and enhance the University’s core academic mission.

The COO plays a central role in translating institutional strategy into effective operational systems, driving innovation in resource management, and ensuring that the University remains technologically advanced, environmentally responsible, and operationally efficient. Working closely with members of the Rectorate, Deans, and senior leadership, within a matrix environment, the COO ensures alignment between operational capabilities and institutional priorities.

The COO is forward-thinking and will champion operational excellence, sustainability, and digital transformation across the University. This includes leading large-scale infrastructure development initiatives, advancing integrated IT capabilities, driving the digitalisation of business processes, and strengthening the University’s approach to safety, risk, and resilience. The role also oversees key institutional domains, including campus development, facilities, sport, and security, ensuring a high-quality and inclusive campus experience for staff and students.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic and strategic leader with demonstrated executive experience in complex organisations, and a deep understanding of large-scale operations, infrastructure, and systems management within a higher education institution. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in shaping Stellenbosch University’s operational future, enabling the institution to achieve its vision of sustainable excellence, innovation, and global relevance.

Duties:

The COO assumes overarching responsibility for:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure the University functions as a sustainable, efficient, and future-ready institution.
• Driving the implementation of institutional strategy through integrated operational planning, systems development, and resource optimisation.
• Leading campus development, infrastructure planning, and facilities management, including large-scale capital projects and long-term spatial planning.
• Overseeing the University’s information technology strategy to ensure modern, secure, integrated, and needs-driven digital capabilities that support teaching, learning, research, and administration.
• Advancing environmental sustainability, including initiatives aligned with the University’s goal of carbon neutrality.
• Ensuring effective campus safety and security.
• Ensuring effective risk management systems, including enterprise risk management, business continuity planning, and information security.
• Leading the digital transformation of business processes to enhance efficiency, innovation, and service delivery across the institution.
• Overseeing institutional support services to ensure a high-quality, inclusive, and enabling campus environment.
• Strengthening alignment between operational planning, financial sustainability, and institutional priorities.
• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including government, industry, and community partners.
• Ensuring effective governance, compliance, and adherence to best practices in line with relevant regulatory and governance frameworks.
• Providing leadership to diverse, multidisciplinary teams and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• A relevant NQF9 postgraduate qualification (Masters Degree, Doctorate or equivalent).
• At least ten (10) years’ experience in strategic business planning as well as integrated implementation, management and control at senior executive leadership level within a complex organisation within the higher education sector.
• A thorough and practical understanding of the South African higher education system. Thorough knowledge of relevant international contexts and trends will be advantageous.
• Proven experience in leading large-scale operational portfolios, including infrastructure, systems, and organisational transformation.
• Proven capacity to provide dynamic, strategic, and visionary leadership in the areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement integrated strategies and manage complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and institutional compliance frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead digital transformation and innovation in operational systems and processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a senior executive team.
• Demonstrated commitment to transformation, diversity, and inclusion.
• The ability to function effectively within a multilingual and multicultural environment.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification (Doctorate or equivalent) will be advantageous.

As part of the interview process, provisionally shortlisted candidates will be expected to deliver a short presentation to the Senior Appointments Committee. The topic of the presentation will be shared with the provisionally shortlisted candidates. Applicants on the final shortlist will be required to present to Senate and Institutional Forum (a joint session), and Council.

Term of Office: The appointment is for a five (5) year fixed term with the possibility of reappointment for further terms.

A successful candidate currently holding an academic appointment may, where applicable, receive an academic rank and fall back to a relevant Faculty at the end of the term of office.

Commencement of duties:

1 January 2027 or as soon as possible

Application Closing date:

22 June 2026

Completed applications, comprising the documentation as set out below, must be attached to this online application and submitted before the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Documentation details (PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION INCLUDES ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW):

• A covering letter indicating how you meet the requirements.
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae.
• Your vision for the role of COO at SU aligned to Vision 2040 and strategic plan 2026-2030.
• Certified copies of qualifications, certificates and ID and confirmation of citizenship.
• Details of at least three referees.
• An indication of the earliest date on which duties can be assumed.

By applying for the position, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted that the recruitment, selection, and appointment process for the position will be conducted in accordance with the University’s Regulations for the Appointment and Reappointment of a Chief Operating Officer, and you affirm your commitment to adhere to the Regulations and to engage constructively in the selection process.

By applying for the position, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted that the recruitment, selection, and appointment process for the position will be conducted in accordance with the University’s Regulations for the Appointment and Reappointment of a Chief Operating Officer, and you affirm your commitment to adhere to the Regulations and to engage constructively in the selection process.

Candidates are required to provide a list of contactable referees who can speak to their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position of Chief Operating Officer. The Senior Appointments Committee may, at their discretion, contact referees listed by the applicants for additional information. In addition, to ensure a thorough and comprehensive evaluation process, the Senior Appointments Committee reserves the right to make inquiries with other relevant persons who are not listed as referees by the applicants, if deemed appropriate. Any such enquiries will be handled in a discreet and confidential manner.

Candidates may be required to make themselves available for extensive leadership assessments.

The University is committed to the advancement of diversity and employment equity. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed appropriate.