Deputy Registrar: Academic Administration

Post Number 7029 Faculty/Department University of the Western Cape -> Registrar -> Deputy Registrar: Academic Administration Type of Position Permanent - Full Time Length of Contract Period Location Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)

Closing Date 11/9/2026

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The Deputy Registrar: Academic Administration holds delegated authority from the Registrar for the strategic leadership, governance and operational oversight of the University's academic administration functions across the complete student lifecycle — from recruitment, application and registration through to examinations, promotion, certification and graduation.

The post is responsible for legislative and policy compliance (Higher Education Act, the UWC Statute, HEQSF, POPIA and related regulatory frameworks), for protecting the University from academic-administrative and reputational risk, and for safeguarding the integrity of student records, assessments and qualifications awarded.

As a member of the Registrar's management team, the Deputy Registrar serves on Senate and its committees, develops and reviews academic policies and rules, compiles the University Almanac/Calendar, drives digital transformation of academic administration, deputises for the Registrar when required, and represents the University in sector-wide structures and with external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key responsibility areas:

• Strategic leadership and management of the Academic Administration portfolio

• Examinations and graduations governance and management

• Enrolment lifecycle coordination and faculty liaison (applications, registration, records, promotions)

• International student administration and immigration compliance

• Academic policy development, rules and the University Almanac/Calendar

• Governance and statutory compliance (Senate, DHET, POPIA)

• Student records integrity, verification and certification

• Financial, budget and resource management

• Digital transformation, systems and business process improvement

• Staff training, development and capacity building

• Deputising for the Registrar; committee, task team and crisis management responsibilities

• Stakeholder engagement, communications and public relations

• Leading and implementing university transformation and people management strategies Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree or equivalent (NQF Level 9)

• Minimum of (10) ten years' experience in public Higher Education and a minimum of (8) eight years' demonstrated management experience

• Demonstrable experience in university academic administration spanning the full academic lifecycle, supported by hands-on experience with student information systems and their underlying business processes

• A sound working knowledge of academic rules and policies and their application across the student lifecycle.

• Proven experience in leading digital transformation initiatives from conceptualisation through planning, development, change management, and institutional rollout

Knowledge and Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership & Governance
  • HE Governance & Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive knowledge of the Higher Education landscape, legislative frameworks, DHET reporting, HEMIS, and quality assurance standards.
  • Strategic Planning & Business Operations: Expertise in organisational design, business process re-engineering, financial budgeting, and risk/continuity management.
  • Academic Policy & Assessment: Deep understanding of academic lifecycle rules, policy interpretation, POPIA/PAIA compliance, and assessment governance
• People & Change Leadership
  • Inspirational Team Management: Proven ability in staff development, coaching, performance management, and fostering high-performance cultures.
  • Strategic Leadership & People Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate cross-functional academic and administrative teams using a progressive, collaborative management approach.
  • Change Leadership & Innovation: Skilled in consultation, change management, and leading organisational transformation initiatives.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
  • High-Pressure Communication & Diplomacy: Exceptional ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively under pressure.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building consensus and strong working relationships across faculty, staff, and institutional leadership
  • Cross-Cultural & Public Relations: Strong networking, negotiation, and reputation management skills across diverse internal and external audiences.
• Operational & Administrative Mastery
  • Academic Administration: Experience in enrolment management, committee servicing, formal report writing, and records management.
  • Logistics & Event Management: Proven track record in managing complex academic operations, events, and operational logistics.
• Technical & Compliance Acumen
  • Systems Proficiency: Strong computer literacy with practical experience in Student ERP systems, verification portals, and business analytics.
  • Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of the Immigration Act (study visa processing), procurement guidelines, and fraud detection/investigation protocols.
• Personal Attributes
  • High integrity, sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and absolute discretion regarding confidential information.

For further information regarding this position (but not applications), please contact the Registrar, Dr N Lawton-Misra at nlawtonmisra@uwc.ac.za. Kindly note: Only online applications will be considered.

In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile. To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/3642/9362/9708/3160/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za. DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.