Director: Infrastructure and Engineering needed at University of the Western Cape/Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland

Reporting to the Executive Director: Finance and Services, the successful candidate will:

• Have overall responsibility for the infrastructure management function of all University buildings, facilities,  plant and equipment, and external works
• Strategically manage the service departments within the Infrastructure and Engineering Department, to ensure efficient and effective service delivery
• Be responsible for the planning, co-ordination and management of building and other infrastructure projects including project planning and management
• Support and develop strategic vendor relationships that leverage and are aligned with the service delivery and cost-efficiency requirements of the university
• Develop strategic plans and ensure interrelated processes to support strategy and policy
• Develop and train staff to their fullest potential
• Forecast, assess and deliver infrastructure requirements to meet and improve on the needs within the institution and deliver value added solutions
• Design and implement appropriate policies, best practice methodologies and business processes to deliver quality infrastructure services, and to maintain technical specification standards of optimal quality, efficiency and economy for the University
• Foster a culture of good governance and business principles in the management of infrastructure
• Advise, and where necessary lead, the planning of the university’s future developmental infrastructure to align with long-term objectives, requirements and constraints
• Implement concurrent projects of varied magnitudes
• Be responsible for the maintenance of all University infrastructure, including Demand Maintenance, and Planned Maintenance
• Foster strategic relationships with various stakeholders and key partners, including Senior Management, Administration and Support, Academic and Research departments, Risk and Compliance, Students, Infrastructure specialists and advisors, Equivalents at other Higher Education Institutions and Industry, Municipal and Government departments, Donors and Funders and various others.

Minimum Requirements

• A relevant postgraduate degree in the built environment with qualifications at NQF 8
• 10 years experience in infrastructure/facilities management of which at least 5 years should be in a senior management position
• 3 years experience in a role requiring significant planning and project management

Skills and competencies

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiating and marketing skills to work with users, senior management, and external parties
• Ability to make sound and timely decisions considering alternatives, risks, benefits, organisational impacts, stakeholder perspectives, and alignment to overall goals
• Adept at working within the realities and constraints of the organisation, understanding when to work within existing frameworks and when to push for change, resourcefulness, ceaseless energy and persistence to achieve goals despite obstacles and difficulties
• Project management & technical understanding and know-how knowledge of the operations of a university, or organisation with similar needs and constraints, and its environment (e.g. regulatory, physical)
• Negotiating and influencing skills and a demonstrated ability to influence people at a variety of levels
• A high level of financial proficiency and discipline
• A sound understanding of procurement legislation and processes
• A proven ability to manage a large and diverse team