Operations Manager

The IIE (Pty) Ltd is the registered provider of higher education which is offered through the following educational brands: Varsity College, Vega, Rosebank College and IIE MSA. The Central Academic Team (CAT) of The Independent Institute of Education is responsible for the academic leadership and governance of the work done at the brands while each brand is managed as a business entity by its own divisional management team.

This position is within the central IIE academic team. CAT has ultimate responsibility for registration, curriculum, delivery, assessment and certification of all education on these sites as well as for relationships with external partners particularly in the regulatory and accreditation arena.

The IIE operates through four faculties and has established academic operations, compliance and academic leadership infrastructure and processes.

The IIE (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of AdvTech Limited which is listed on the JSE. Staff members of CAT are located at Advtech House, Inanda Greens, Sandton.

**Reporting To**:
General Manager.

**Level and Scope of Responsibility**:
The appointment is at the senior management level. The Operations Manager works directly with senior staff in the brands and head office functions and all teams in CAT.

The exact nature of the responsibilities will vary from time to time according to the needs of the IIE. The incumbent must be capable of running all CAT operations and interfaces using human resources and technology based systems, solutions and processes.

**Key Areas of Responsibility Include**:
There are four key areas of responsibility in this role:

- Effective running, leadership and development of academic operations: Manage operations to deliver projects (academic and operational) to meet the required outcomes. Take leadership role in the improvement of systems, policies and processes that will enable more effective and efficient delivery in this area
- Stakeholder and Asset Management: Manage relationships with brands formally and informally to support their success and our effective delivery. Engage with internal and external stakeholders as required to achieve this. Manage IT and office assets. Manage space
- Tracking and Information Management: Full responsibility for tracking systems and processes including appropriate escalations for identified risks
- Administration and Governance: Participation in formal governance structures as required. Ensuring those on team provide accurate information on time to enable governance and internal and external compliance. Ensure policy compliance.

**Academic operations**
- Responsible for all operational aspects associated with the delivery of programme material, assessment and moderation.
- Participation in the key governance structures and committees as may be required from time to time

**Other IIE operations**
- Responsible for the delivery of other operational tasks and projects as delegated to the IIE Operations team
- Ensure that Student Hub provides accurate, effective and efficient service. Monitor and resolve escalations.

**General**
- Assist with the development, implementation, monitoring and refining of administration systems that will support the above
- Liaison with the tertiary IIE brands to ensure effective delivery
- Development and Training of team members
- Office management - IT assets, workspace etc
- Contribute to budget setting and control

**Qualifications**:
Preferably a Postgraduate qualification but at least an initial qualification at degree level.

**Experience**:

- Not all of these are required, but will be preferable - the total skill set will be considered:

- Normally, at least five years’ experience in an academic administration environment preferably at a higher education provider
- Middle Management experience with a span of control of at least 6 people directly reporting with second line reports of at least 20 would be preferable.
- Operations experience in a multi-site context.
- Familiarity with The IIE and the tertiary division of AdvTech.

**Competencies**:

- Excellent communication skills particularly in English, both verbal and written, including the ability to communicate with a range of audiences in a way that is clear, concise, specific and accurate and accessible to the target audience
- Computer literacy at the level where independent work on programmes such as excel is possible and where the person is able to assist with the assessment of IT solutions to administrative challenges (IT support will be provided)
- Leadership, management and administrationa.Conflictresolution, mediation and cooperative communication skills
- Interpersonal skills characterised by tact and diplomacy and an ongoing ability to participate effectively in a team that is spread across the country
- Capacity to get others to follow by example and the ability to manage matrix management and communication structures
- Attention to detail
- Proven ability to work construct