The University s student housing programme comprises 5800 beds in 14 student residences (styled as living and learning centres ) as well as accommodation for more than 300 visiting and permanent staff and their families, within and adjacent to the Braamfontein and Park town campuses. The Campus Housing & Residence Life (CHRL) Unit receives no University or state funding, so ongoing financial viability is a major priority, and the generation of substantial third-stream income is therefore essential. Wits residences serve as hubs for innovation, self-discovery and learning, transformational living experiences, and models for student success within the living and learning ethos. The Unit collaborates with students and other stakeholders to work towards developing cultures that are inclusive, empowering, innovative, and cosmopolitan, and that embrace diversity as a strength in learning, development and living. Wits residences are spaces of excellence.
The University wishes to appoint a Deputy Director: Residence Life and Operations within CHRL unit.
Some of the duties of the incumbent will include:
The incumbent reporting to the Director of Campus Housing & Residence Life (CHRL) will through cluster managers be primarily responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the various residences within CHRL.
Critical duties of the incumbent include implementation/ executing of the University policies, plans and strategies of Campus Housing and Residence Life. This includes medium- and long-term planning and organising as well as management of administrative activities within CHRL.
Through the Managers ensures the effective and efficient utilisation of human resources and oversees the performance management of staff that have direct reporting lines.
Developing and maintaining a staffing plan (including the upskilling, training and development of existing operational staff) to ensure excellent service delivery and continuity of operations.
Formulating standard procedures for dealing with a range of regularly occurring types of crises related to the care of students, and services.
Developing and strengthening co-operative relationships with all the relevant University support departments that render direct service to the residences.
Chairs the Occupational Health & Safety Committees within CHRL and ensures the development and management of appropriate health & safety systems and risk management strategies to mitigate risks to the University.
Work with cluster managers and the Central Accommodation Office to ensure that placement of students in residences is done as per the established business processes
Prepares and delivers operational reports to the CHRL Director on a monthly basis and as and when required.
Regularly review operational and developmental needs related to residential and hospitality services & facilities within a constantly changing academic, social and economic environment.
Direct and coordinate the implementation of strategic plans through the creation of operational plans within each major area of operations, with clearly defined goals.
Assess incidents of student misconduct to determine appropriate courses of action - e.g. referral to the Legal Office or internal action within the division (reprimand, caution or financial penalty).
Establish close working relationships with external accommodation providers to ensure a virtually seamless transition between on-campus and off-campus housing for students who are required to make way for new generations of junior undergraduates in line with the University s commitments to the provision of on-campus housing for most new first-year undergraduates requiring accommodation.
Brief DescriptionEssential requirements
The successful candidate must therefore meet the following minimum job requirements:
A post-graduate qualification NQF level 8 in relevant field. At least 5 years direct residence management experience and overall, 10 years experience in a student accommodation/ housing environment. Extensive experience of, and insight into, student/ residence life and operations. Experience in strategic, financial, events and staff management. Be a good communicator with highly developed organisational and planning skills. A strong commitment to education and the welfare of students and staff is essential.
Queries may be directed to basil.mugwena@wits.ac.za
Detailed DescriptionJob RequirementsAdditional DetailsHow To Apply
Please note that applications must be done through iRecruitment only. No hardcopies or emails should be submitted. Please submit a covering letter, detailed CV with names and contact details (including email addresses) of three referees and certified copies of degrees/diplomas with your application.
External applicants are invited to apply by registering their profile on the Wits i-recruitment platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submitting their application. Internal employees are invited to apply directly on Oracle by following the path: iWits/Self Service application/Apply for a job.
By applying for this post the Applicant acknowledges that their personal information will be processed by the University. The Applicant, by their conduct in proceeding with an application for this position, gives their consent to the processing of their personal information as required by the University s Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy. Such processing includes logging their information on the University s recruitment systems and disclosing their personal information to University employees identified to take part in the selection and recruitment process. The Applicant consents to any further processing of their personal information as may be required for relevant verification and reference check purposes. The confidentiality of the Applicant's personal information will be maintained.
The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable internal applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right not to make an appointment and to verify all information provided by candidates.
Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.
Closing Date: 30 August 2025
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