About the job:
OUR CLIENT has a vacancy for an Executive Director in the Built Environment unit. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the unit’s strategy and operations to ensure science, engineering and technology (SET) excellence, impact, human capital development, financial sustainability and growth of the units through securing of contract Research and Development (R&D) with local and international clients. The successful candidate needs to build and strengthen the unit’s science and engineering capabilities in Building Science and Technology, Hydraulic Infrastructure Engineering, Spatial Planning and Systems, Transport Infrastructure Engineering and Transport Systems and Operations to deliver solutions to local and international clients. The leader has to maintain and strengthen the OUR CLIENT’s extensive national and international networks and promote national and international R&D collaboration in this field. The position is based in Pretoria.
Key responsibilities:
• Provide overall strategic leadership for the unit;
• Establish medium-to long-term strategic plans for the unit.
• Translate the R&D needs of the sector into innovative, high-impact and viable R&D outcomes for the benefit of stakeholders;
• Ensure that relevant, knowledge-generating R&D is conducted and technology is transferred;
• Lead engagement with stakeholders in the infrastructure and transport sector;
• Secure financial sustainability and ensure good governance;
• Ensure that quality, operational sustainability and impact objectives are met;
• Oversee attainment of the unit’s short and medium term key performance indicators;
• Strengthen the SET capability;
• Build and transform human capital.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
• The minimum requirement is a Master’s degree in science or engineering with at least five years’ relevant leadership and management experience/skills – these include all aspects of science and engineering, financial, human resources and infrastructure management;
• A doctoral degree will be advantageous;
• Evidence of substantive training in leadership and/or business management;
• Demonstrated strategic ability;
• Conceptual and strategic understanding of the fields and sectors in which the unit operates;
• Demonstrated capability to secure stakeholder support and negotiate contract funding commensurate with the unit budget;
• Familiarity with the broader National System of Innovation and relevant policy and strategy;
• Understanding of technology/innovation management concepts and practice;
• Sound interpersonal communication and people management skills;
• Communication and presentation skills
• Ability to network;
• Ability to obtain the necessary security clearance.