Project Manager

Duties/Pligte We're looking for a dedicated and seasoned Project Manager with leadership attributes to join our team at Stellenbosch University to drive our projects to success through meticulous planning, effective execution, focused change management and strong stakeholder engagement. Our projects are multidisciplinary and diverse in terms of size, scope, focus/theme/field and stakeholders, but with the common thread that they are institutional and strategic in nature. Projects include, amongst others, the University's vision and strategy planning (2016-2018), the University's Centenary commemoration (2017-2018), repositioning the University's radio station (ongoing), and creating a project and change management methodology and platform (ongoing). Construction and IT projects are specifically excluded.

**Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to**:

- Developing detailed project plans and schedules for diverse projects to ensure timely and successful delivery. Coordinating resources, setting milestones, and managing dependencies to keep projects on track (project planning and scheduling);
- Overseeing the day-to-day execution of projects, ensuring adherence to plans, budgets, and quality standards. Promptly addressing any issues that arise and adjusting strategies as needed to keep projects aligned with objectives (managing project execution);
- Leading and motivating a diverse project team, fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone is aligned with project goals. Providing guidance, support and feedback to help team members excel and contribute effectively (managing the project team);
- Engaging with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure clear communication and alignment with project goals. Building and maintaining strong relationships to facilitate cooperation and address any concerns or requirements (stakeholder engagement).

If you're an organised and proactive project manager with a track record of successful project delivery and team leadership, who wants to enjoy the challenge of the University's unique strategy environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes **Essential qualifications and work experience**:
We will consider applicants within the following variations in terms of qualifications and work experience:

- Variation 1: A Master of Business Administration (MBA) (NQF level 9), with a specialisation in project management, plus three years¿ experience in project management; **OR**:

- Variation 2: An honours degree or equivalent qualification (NQF level 8), some kind of project management qualification (e.g. a short course), plus five years' experience in project management; **OR**:

- Variation 3: A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, plus a postgraduate diploma in project management on an NQF level 8, plus five years¿ experience in project management; **OR**:

- Variation 4: A project management qualification on NQF level 8 at a higher education institution or professional project management institution, with seven years' experience in project management.

**In addition, applicants must have**:

- Demonstrable experience in leading a variety of projects, differing in scope and size;
- Experience in optimally using collaborative project management tools (e.g. Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana, Wrike);
- The ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual and multicultural environment, specifically in English and Afrikaans.

**_ Please note that applicants who do not meet all the requirements will not be considered._**

**Competencies**

**Technical competencies**

**Leadership competencies**:

- ** Financial management**: Knowledge of the financial processes to justify and administer the financial budget. The ability to oversee the procurement process. The ability to monitor expenditure and profit to ensure sound fiscal responsibility;
- ** Impact and presence**: The ability to command attention from others; projecting confidence; having a presence; coming across as energised, focused, credible and compelling;
- ** Strategic thinking**: Demonstrate an understanding and insight of the vision, mission and long-term strategy of the University; actively contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation; formulating short-, medium
- and long-term strategy to position the University in the marketplace;
- ** Analytical thinking**:The ability to analyse and evaluate data methodically; reading with and drawing conclusions from facts and data;
- ** Resilience**: The ability to deal calmly and effectively and prevail in stressful situations, taking a long-term view of success and failure in pursuing goals despite obstacles and setbacks, including the capacity to bounce back from adversity;
- ** Building collaborative partnerships**: The ability to build and effectively maintain relationships with others, including clients and stakeholders; engaging and influencing others in a collaborative way. The ability to confidently express