Director: Student Life and Governance; post level 5; appointment possibility

The Director:
Student Life and Governance provides strategic, operational, and governance leadership to the integrated Student Life and Student Governance Portfolio, ensuring the holistic development, engagement, and success of students. The role strengthens institutional governance, student leadership development, co-curricular programming, and campus culture, while assisting the Executive Director:
Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture with the execution of strategic responsibilities across the portfolio.

This position plays a pivotal role in advancing the University of the Free State’s Vision 130 goals by creating an enabling student environment, fostering ethical governance, and developing a cohesive, supportive, and transformative student experience in line with the re-imagined Student Affairs structure and strategic direction.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide strategic direction for Student Life and Student Governance, ensuring strong alignment with Vision 130 and the integrated Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture portfolio.

• Assist the Executive Director in conceptualising, implementing, and monitoring strategic initiatives across Student Affairs.

• Strengthen the student experience, campus life, and governance stability through strategic programmes, systems, and partnerships.

• Lead the development and implementation of student life and student governance frameworks, policies, and standards.

Operational Leadership of Student Life and Governance Units:

• Oversee and provide strategic direction to the following units:
o Career Services
o Student Leadership Development
o Food Environment Programme
o Kovsie

ACT (Co-curricular Student Development)
o Student Research & Development Office
o Student Governance

• Ensure integration, collaboration, and synergy among all units for a coherent student development and engagement model.

Student Engagement and Co-Curricular Development:

• Drive high-impact co-curricular programmes, events, and activities to enhance the student engagement ecosystem.

• Strengthen partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to broaden student learning pathways.

• Oversee and ensure quality of Kovsie

ACT offerings, experiential learning, and graduate attribute development.

Risk, Crisis and Stability Management:

• Provide leadership during student-related crises, unrest, or governance instability.

• Work closely with the Executive Director and relevant units to ensure early identification of emerging risks and effective mitigation.

• Contribute to policy and procedure refinement to ensure institution-wide stability and student well-being.

People and Resource Management:

• Lead, manage, and develop staff across the integrated portfolio.

• Ensure optimal resource allocation, performance management, and staff professional development.

• Oversee budgeting and financial management for Student Life and Governance.

Inherent Job Requirements