Head of Campus

Job description

As part of its continued growth and expansion, STADIO is establishing a brand-new City Campus in Rustenburg. STADIO Higher Education invites applications for the position of Head of Campus: Rustenburg City Campus, a senior leadership role responsible for establishing, leading and growing the new campus.

Assumption date: 04 January 2027

Purpose of the role:

The Head of Campus will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Rustenburg City Campus and will be responsible for developing and implementing campus-specific business, operational and growth plans within the broader STADIO strategy.
The successful candidate will assume overall responsibility for financial performance, operational efficiency, student experience, stakeholder relationships and regulatory compliance of the campus. This role will also lead the campus management committee and collaborate closely with STADIO’s Academic, Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Business Research and Development, Marketing and Student Recruitment functions.

Key roles and responsibilities

Campus strategy, business planning and financial performance:

• Develop and execute the annual campus business plan, operational plan and budget in collaboration with the chief executive officer and campus management committee.
• Translate STADIO’s institutional strategy into clear campus targets, action plans, milestones, performance measures and assigned responsibilities.
• Identify programme efficiencies and opportunities for improved sustainability and profitability while safeguarding academic quality.
• Monitor and drive the achievement of campus financial, growth, student experience and operational performance targets.
• Identify and manage campus performance standards and service-level arrangements with the relevant Schools and support functions.
• Ensure the effective and responsible utilisation of campus resources.

Campus establishment, leadership and operations:

• Provide leadership in establishing and operationalising STADIO’s new Rustenburg City Campus.
• Lead, manage and coordinate the execution of the approved campus operational plan.
• Build and lead an effective campus management committee and promote an accountable, collaborative and performance-oriented culture.
• Oversee campus facilities, space utilisation, systems, processes and operational service standards.
• Manage campus employees in accordance with STADIO’s policies, procedures and human capital priorities.
• Ensure that relevant performance objectives and development plans are in place for campus employees.
• Monitor campus performance through appropriate dashboards and implement corrective action where required.

Growth, marketing and student recruitment:

• Identify new programme and business growth opportunities informed by local market needs, competitor analysis and the requirements of the Rustenburg community.
• Develop business cases and proposals for new opportunities in consultation with the chief executive officer and relevant institutional stakeholders.
• Collaborate with marketing and student recruitment to determine campus recruitment targets and develop appropriate marketing and recruitment plans.
• Monitor the implementation of campus marketing and student recruitment initiatives and address performance deviations.
• Establish constructive relationships with schools, employers, local government, industry partners and other community stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for alternative or additional income streams.

Student experience, success and wellness:

• Develop and implement a campus-specific student retention and campus experience plan within the framework of the STADIO strategy.
• Oversee the implementation of student support, wellness and academic success initiatives on the campus.
• Manage and monitor the activities and resources associated with the campus student forum.
• Promote a student-centered campus environment that supports student engagement, wellbeing, academic success and retention.
• Monitor and report on student experience and academic success initiatives.

Governance, compliance and institutional standards:

• Ensure that campus operations comply with STADIO’s policies, procedures and minimum institutional standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable national higher education regulatory requirements.
• Monitor operational efficiency and compliance against agreed service levels and standards.
• Collaborate with STADIO’s executive leadership and shared-service functions to ensure the consistent application of institutional systems, policies and processes.
• Maintain appropriate governance, risk-management and reporting practices across campus operations.

Stakeholder and community engagement:

• Serve as STADIO’s senior representative and ambassador in Rustenburg and the broader North West region.
• Build positive relationships with local government, schools, employers, professional bodies, community structures and other external stakeholders.
• Participate in appropriate government, industry and community initiatives that support STADIO’s strategic objectives and campus growth.
• Position the Rustenburg City Campus as a valued and trusted higher education partner within the community.

Minimum qualifications and experience

Qualification

An appropriate qualification at NQF level 9.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in higher education campus management.
• Demonstrated senior leadership and operational management experience in a complex education environment.
• Experience in business planning, budgeting, financial management, student recruitment, campus operations and stakeholder engagement.

Knowledge, skills and competencies:

• Sound knowledge of contact and distance higher education operations, including student recruitment, academic programme delivery and facilities management.
• Strong financial acumen, including knowledge of budgeting, profitability, return on investment and performance analysis.
• Strategic planning and execution capability.
• Proven leadership and people-management skills.
• Strong business, communication, presentation and information technology skills.
• The ability to build collaborative relationships and lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong networking, community engagement and stakeholder-management capability.
• A customer- and student-centered approach.
• A commitment to academic excellence, regulatory compliance and operational quality.
• Sound judgement, integrity, accountability and the ability to operate effectively in a changing and growth-oriented environment.

Posted on 08 Oct 10:30, Closing date 21 Oct