Senior Director – Institutional Research & Strategic Planning
University of the Free State · Bloemfontein
Job description
About the role
The University of the Free State is seeking a senior leader to head the Directorate for Institutional Research, Strategic Analytics and Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (DIRSIP). Reporting to the Deputy Vice‑Chancellor, the role provides strategic leadership for institutional planning, research, business intelligence and project portfolio management, supporting the Vision 130 agenda.
Key responsibilities
- Coordinate implementation of Vision 130, the Strategic Plan and the Annual Performance Plan.
- Steer strategy, institutional research and operational projects across all faculties and divisions.
- Monitor Key Performance Indicators and produce executive reports for senior leadership.
- Prepare the university’s annual report to the Department of Higher Education and Training, the mid‑term review, and the student enrolment plan.
- Lead business intelligence initiatives, delivering predictive analytics, trend mapping and data modelling to inform decision‑making.
- Oversee HEMIS data submissions and manage global benchmarking for international rankings.
- Head the Institutional Project Management Office, develop governance frameworks and monitor project performance, risks and benefits.
- Identify operational bottlenecks and optimise resource allocation to enhance overall institutional effectiveness.
Required profile
- Visionary, innovative and strategic leader with senior management experience.
- Proven ability to influence senior university leadership and drive evidence‑based decision‑making.
- Experience in higher‑education institutional planning, research and performance management.
- Strong understanding of statutory reporting, accreditation requirements and enrolment planning.
- Demonstrated capability to manage large‑scale projects and cross‑functional teams.
Required skills
- Business intelligence and data analytics.
- Predictive analytics and trend mapping.
- Data modelling.
- HEMIS data management.
- Experience with global rankings data submission.
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Published 1 month ago
Expires 6 days from now
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University of the Free State
Bloemfontein
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