Dean of Students

Stellenbosch University is home to an academic community of some 28 000 students as well as just under 3 000 permanent staff members on five campuses.

Stellenbosch University (SU) invites applications from dynamic, values-driven, and student-centred leaders for the position of Dean of Students
.

As a globally connected, research-intensive institution, SU advances knowledge in service of society and strives to be Africa’s leading research-intensive university – globally recognised for excellence, inclusivity, and innovation. Guided by Vision 2040 and relevant strategic frameworks, SU is committed to delivering transformative student experiences that enable academic success, wellbeing, and personal development within a diverse, inclusive campus community.

Reporting directly to the Rector and Vice-Chancellor
, the Dean of Students provides strategic and intellectual leadership to the Responsibility Centre:
Dean of Students, overseeing Student Counselling and Development and Student Life and Learning across all SU campuses. The incumbent will shape and enhance the holistic student journey, ensuring that Stellenbosch University continues to provide a transformative and supportive environment where students thrive academically, socially, and personally.

The Dean of Students plays a key leadership role within the Rectorate, fostering collaboration across the University to strengthen student success, promote a vibrant student life, and embed inclusivity and wellbeing into every aspect of the SU experience. The role also includes advancing student governance, leadership development, and co-curricular and extracurricular engagements, while representing the University nationally and internationally on student affairs matters.

• Providing strategic leadership for the Responsibility Centre:
  Dean of Students, aligned with SU’s Vision 2040 and strategic frameworks.
• Promoting a holistic and transformative student experience that integrates academic success, wellbeing, leadership, and social impact.
• Overseeing Student Counselling and Development and Student Life and Learning across all SU Campuses, ensuring excellence in support services, residence life, and student development.
• Strengthening student governance structures and cultivating leadership opportunities that contribute to institutional transformation and social cohesion.
• Building strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships – internally across Responsibility Centres, Faculties and Schools, and externally with government, national and international higher education bodies and civil society – to advance student success and institutional impact.
• Building intentional and strong relationships with students and student leadership, ensuring effective sharing of feedback with the senior leadership of the University and students, and making appropriate proposals arising from that feedback.
• Managing the budget, human resources, and overall operational effectiveness of the Responsibility Centre in alignment with institutional policy.
• Providing visible and accessible leadership within the student community, fostering a culture of respect, engagement, and accountability.

• At least ten years’ relevant experience, with at least seven or eight years in a senior management level position, with a demonstrated track record of full management responsibility for a functional Unit, Centre or Responsibility Centre within a higher education environment.
• Proven capacity to provide dynamic and strategic leadership in the area of responsibility.
• Evidence of national and/or international outputs in respect of student development as a theme for own research-based practice for professional development.
• Proven ability to develop and sustain strategically relevant institutional partnerships and alliances at national as well as international level.
• Excellent communication, conflict handling and facilitation skills in a diverse environment.
• Sound interpersonal relations and the ability to take the lead within a team.
• The ability to contribute to institutional redress through the accelerated diversification of the staff and the student corps.
• High level of emotional intelligence…