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UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE (UWC)
CHIEF OFFICER
Post Number 8021059 (T074)
Faculty/Department University of the Western Cape -> Natural Sciences -> Physics & Astronomy
Type of Position Permanent - Full Time
Length of Contract Period N/A
Location Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)
Closing Date 12/7/2026
Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic university, rooted in the African continent with an increasing global reach. UWC actively responds in critical and creative ways to the development needs of the country, within an ever-changing and challenging global context.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape is internationally recognised for its excellence in teaching and research. The faculty comprises nine academic departments, a School of Pharmacy and a number of world-class research institutes and centres. The faculty offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the major scientific disciplines and a professional degree in Pharmacy.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of the Western Cape educates a substantial cohort of undergraduate and post-graduate students. Hands-on experimental work is a core component of undergraduate physics education/training. The Department invites applications for a permanent position of a Chief Technical Officer.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key responsibility areas:
- Provide leadership in the management and development of undergraduate laboratory sessions.
- Oversee inventories and procurement of laboratory equipment as well as the administration of laboratories and practical demonstrators.
- Oversee the operation of vacuum systems, pumps, and gas-handling infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable performance.
- Facilitate the integration of laboratory equipment with computer systems to enable automated control, real‑time data acquisition, and efficient troubleshooting.
- Integrate relevant educational technologies into the design of undergraduate experimental activities.
- Provide technical support for the maintenance of key research and teaching laboratories.
- Contribute to undergraduate teaching activities in the department.
Minimum Requirements
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a Physics or Engineering-related field.
- A minimum of two years’ experience in the management of undergraduate physics/engineering laboratories.
- A minimum of two years’ experience in undergraduate laboratory teaching.
- Demonstrated expertise in vacuum and electronic systems, and equipment-computer interfacing platforms.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and gas systems.
Required competencies:
- Excellent organizational skills
- Communication
- Training skills
In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile.
To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/3642/9362/9708/3160/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za.
DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.
MANAGER: DONOR & ALUMNI RELATIONS
Post Number 3108
Faculty/Department University of the Western Cape -> Rectorate -> Institutional Advancement
Type of Position Permanent - Full Time
Length of Contract Period
Location Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)
Closing Date 28/6/2026
Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Manager: Donor and Alumni Relations within the Institutional Advancement Division. This is a critical strategic leadership role responsible for strengthening the university’s fundraising performance, expanding philanthropic income, and driving impactful alumni engagement, with particular emphasis on corporate, foundation, and high-value individual partnerships.
Reporting to the Director: Institutional Advancement, the incumbent will translate the Institutional Advancement Strategic Fundraising Plan (2026–2030) into measurable outcomes, drive execution, and lead a, high-performing team to deliver against ambitious revenue and engagement targets.
The successful candidate will be accountable for:
- Achieving institutional fundraising income targets by translating strategy into annual plans, setting clear targets, tracking performance, and taking corrective action where required.
- Growing and diversifying the donor base, with a specific focus on corporate, business, and high-value individual donors, including securing multi-year partnerships and sponsorships.
- Driving the implementation of fundraising and alumni strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and consistent execution across all programmes.
- Leading and managing a high-performing team by setting clear expectations, allocating portfolios, monitoring performance, and coaching staff to deliver against targets.
- Personally leading donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including managing a portfolio of key donors and securing major gifts and strategic funding partnerships.
- Overseeing donor pipeline management and CRM utilisation, ensuring accurate tracking, forecasting, and reporting to inform decision-making and improve performance.
- Building and sustaining strategic internal partnerships with executive leadership, Deans, and academic staff to develop compelling funding propositions and advance fundraising priorities.
- Directing alumni engagement and participation growth, including overseeing programmes, campaigns, and initiatives that increase alumni involvement, giving, and advocacy.
- Ensuring effective donor stewardship, governance, and compliance, including reporting, recognition, and adherence to ethical and institutional standards.
Minimum Requirements
Qualification and Experience:
- A relevant Honours/Postgraduate Diploma (NQF-8) preferably in Business, Management, Development Studies, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
- A minimum of five (5) years’ proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, or development, preferably within higher education or a complex organisational environment.
- A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a management or supervisory role, with evidence of leading and delivering through teams.
- A demonstrated personal track record of securing significant funding (e.g., approximately R10–R15 million over a 3–5 year period).
- A demonstrable track record of successfully leading fundraising campaigns and using modern technology and systems.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with evidence of working effectively with senior leadership and external partners;
Required competencies (skills, knowledge and behavioural attributes):
- Knowledge of corporate fundraising and Strategic fundraising expertise
- Advanced donor engagement skills
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship building skills
- Business acumen Skills
- Organisational and decision-making skills
- Operational planning and project management skills
- People management and coaching ability
- Financial and budgeting skills
- Decision making/judgment skills
In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile.
To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/3642/9362/9708/3160/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za.
DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.
DIRECTOR: INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT (5 YEAR RENEWABLE CONTRACT)
Post Number 1035
Faculty/Department University of the Western Cape -> Rectorate -> Institutional Advancement
Type of Position Fixed Term Contract
Length of Contract Period (5 Year Renewable Contract)
Location Main Campus - Bellville, WC ZA (Primary)
Closing Date 28/6/2026
Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas
The University of the Western Cape is a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic institution rooted in Africa with an expanding global presence. As it advances its strategic ambition to become a leading research-intensive university, a high-performing institutional advancement function is critical to enabling sustained growth and supporting excellence in teaching, learning, research, and institutional effectiveness.
Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the Director: Institutional Advancement will provide strategic leadership to position the University for sustained growth in philanthropic income, brand visibility, and stakeholder engagement. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, integrated institutional advancement strategy that encompasses fundraising, donor and corporate partnerships, alumni relations, marketing, communications, and multimedia engagement.
The Director will play a pivotal role in repositioning and strengthening the University’s advancement capability, including overhauling donor strategy, expanding and diversifying funding streams, and building a high-performance, results-driven function.
Central to the role is enhancing the University’s brand, reputation, and global visibility through effective marketing, strategic communications, and media engagement that support its ambition to grow as a research-intensive institution.
The incumbent will lead major gift development, capital and endowment campaigns, and strategic partnerships, while ensuring strong alignment between institutional priorities, fundraising initiatives, and external engagement.
We are looking for a dynamic person with a public presence who will:
- Provide strategic leadership of the University’s institutional advancement function, driving growth in philanthropic income, stakeholder engagement, and institutional reputation.
- Lead the development and execution of an integrated advancement strategy, encompassing fundraising, alumni relations, marketing, communications, and partnerships.
- Overhaul and strengthen the University’s donor strategy, expanding and diversifying funding streams, including corporate, foundation, and major gift support.
- Drive the achievement of ambitious fundraising targets, including leading major gift development, endowment growth, and capital campaigns.
- Enhance the University’s brand, visibility, and global positioning through effective marketing, communications, and media engagement.
- Build and sustain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including alumni, corporates, foundations, and government.
- Lead and develop a high-performing, results-driven team, ensuring accountability and delivery in a resource-constrained environment.
- Strengthen systems, governance, and performance management, including effective use of CRM, reporting, and donor stewardship practices.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the University’s executive leadership on advancement, reputation, and stakeholder strategy.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum requirements (Qualification and Experience):
- A relevant Master’s degree (NQF Level 9) in Business, Management, Marketing, Communications, Development Studies, or a related field.
- A minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years’ progressive experience in institutional advancement, fundraising, development, marketing, or related fields, of which at least five (5) years must be at a management level.
- A proven track record of leading and delivering significant fundraising growth, including securing major gifts, corporate partnerships, and/or philanthropic funding (e.g., evidence of multi-year income generation at scale).
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing fundraising strategies that have measurably improved performance and diversified income streams.
- Proven experience in leading integrated marketing, communications, and brand positioning initiatives, preferably within a complex organisation.
- Demonstrated ability to manage teams, including performance management, talent development, and delivery against ambitious targets in resource-constrained environments.
- Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement, including working with senior leadership, boards, donors, corporates, and external partners.
- Proven expertise in developing and managing donor pipelines, including the effective use of CRM systems, data analytics, and reporting to drive decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience in leading large-scale campaigns or strategic initiatives, such as capital campaigns, endowment building, or institutional repositioning efforts.
The following will serve as a strong recommendation and an added Advantage:
- A doctoral qualification or relevant professional certification in fundraising, advancement, or marketing.
- Experience within higher education or similarly complex institutional environments.
- International exposure or experience in global fundraising and partnership development.
- An ability to communicate well in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa would be advantageous.
Required competencies (skills, knowledge and behavioural attributes):
- A strong work ethic, personal integrity, excellent communication, public speaking and media liaison and planning skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including high-level proposal writing, negotiation, and the ability to influence diverse stakeholders.
- Strategic thinking capabilities and the ability to scope and evaluate options and find solutions, adeptly juggling across multiple projects.
- The ability to work effectively and efficiently with many constituencies’ stakeholders and partners in a university environment.
- Budgeting and business acumen.
- An ability to function under stressful conditions.
In your application, you are encouraged to highlight your strengths and include anything else you deem exceptional and outstanding to be considered by the selection panel. In addition, please attach a cover letter motivating your suitability, a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details of three referees, and your highest qualification to your online profile.
To be considered for this vacancy, you must click on the Apply for this Job link below or apply directly via UWC Careers at https://uwc.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll. For any queries, please contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/3642/9362/9708/3160/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za.
DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.