Director: Study Abroad (P5) (Division for Global Engagement) at University of Johannesburg

Job Description:

• The University of Johannesburg is seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our Division for Global Engagement as Director, Study Abroad. This leadership role reports directly to the Senior Director of Global Engagement and plays a key part in advancing the University’s internationalisation strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate international education professional to contribute to shaping global experiences that foster cross-cultural understanding and academic excellence.

 Responsibilities:
 
The Director, Study Abroad will:

• Lead and coordinate all aspects of the Study Abroad Programme, including student selection, application processing, registration, and orientation.
• Manage housing, safety, and wellbeing of international students in partnership with internal departments and external landlords.
• Maintain and update programme materials and promotional content, including the UJ Study Abroad website.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with international partner universities, embassies, consulates, and government agencies (e.g., Department of Home Affairs).
• Develop and implement new international partnerships, short-term programmes (summer/winter schools), and customised faculty-led study abroad initiatives, incl. new innovative exchange programmes promoting entrepreneurship.
• Maintain relationships with the Consulates and Embassies of partner countries to ensure adequate predeparture briefing of inbound students; attend briefings regularly.
• Establish and maintain contact with the international offices and administration offices of partners.
• Provide strategic immigration support for international students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and UJ employees.
• Monitor international trends, benchmarks, and policy development to ensure UJ’s programme remains competitive and aligned with global standards.
• Oversee financial management, grant writing, budgeting, and resource allocation within the Study Abroad Office.
• Collaborate with faculties and internal stakeholders to enhance interdisciplinary international education opportunities.
• Represent UJ locally and internationally at events, conferences, and on advisory boards.
• Lead a team by providing staff training, development, performance management, and workflow optimisation.
• Serve as acting Senior Director: Global Engagement when required, including delegated authority responsibilities.

Minimum requirements

• A Postgraduate qualification (NQF 9) in International Relations, Education, Communication or other relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience of a minimum of 5 years in international higher education, student mobility, or global programme administration.
• A strong understanding of immigration policies and procedures relevant to South African higher education.
• Excellent leadership, organisational, communication and intercultural communication skills.
• Sound knowledge of new technology and the ability to integrate new technology in order to streamline processes and reporting mechanisms internally and externally.
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Proven ability to work effectively and in a collegial manner with university staff and faculties.
• Proven fundraising skills for partnership programmes.
• Proven report writing and presentation skills.
• Proven extensive management skills.
• Excellent leadership skills for dealing with own staff and advising senior academics.
• Proven ability to provide academic leadership in the development of curricula.
• Above average computer skills (MS Office including Excel).
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills with competency in public relations and negotiation.
• Ability to conduct research in this area of work and convey results effectively to the University management.
• Ability to coordinate among many university departments.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to network and build relationships.

Recommendations:

• A PhD in relevant field.
• Prior experience from a Study Abroad portfolio at a higher education institution in South Africa or abroad.
• Ability to communicate and drive marketing and brand activities.
• An additional language other than a South African official language.