Executive Manager: Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for an Executive Manager in the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster within the Smart Society Division.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic leadership to the cluster, including strategy development and implementation, capacity development, business development and financial sustainability, performance management, operations management, stakeholder relationship management and governance.
• This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the  Divisional Group Executive: Smart Society.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and provide strategic direction to the cluster;
• Lead the research, development, localisation, and commercialisation of technologies and knowledge solutions from a sound scientific and technological base;
• Drive alignment of the cluster strategy with the trends, needs and opportunities of the relevant public and private sectors, including ICT, financial services, resource industries, health, government departments, telecommunications, etc.;
• Utilise market insights to inform scientific and technological development, and take products and innovations to the market;
• Drive strategic investment of parliamentary grant to leverage further income from strategic partners;
• Implement strategies that will enable the development and deployment of 4IR technologies and other ICT innovations including, but not limited to, AI, IoT, DLT, LLM, XR, etc
• Lead the management of high-end cyberinfrastructure systems including SANReN, CHPC, DIRISA
• Ensure that cluster operations are managed effectively, and that there is timely and accurate reporting;
• Maintain a balanced portfolio of research, development and commercialisation per divisional priorities and organisational vision;
• Drive collaboration with partners in the national system of innovation, and leading relevant strategic partners globally;
• Account for the financially sustainability, profit and loss of the cluster;
• Ensure cluster compliance with all organisational policies and relevant legislation;
• Accountable for people development, succession planning and transformation;
• Foster a culture of collaboration within and between divisions;
• Account for cluster quality, health, safety and impact.
• Act as a role model, embrace and live the CSIR values

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Master’s degree in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or relevant fields with at least ten years’ experience in RDI.
• A Doctoral degree in the relevant fields would be advantageous.
• A proven track record of technology commercialisation and senior leadership in a research and technology organisation (RTO).
• Proven track record of securing financially large R&D contracts
• Business Management and Leadership Training/Certification would be advantageous.
• Experience of strong people management and organisational development skills;
• Evidence of high level stakeholder management, in the relevant sectors.
• Excellent communicator with strong presentation skills;
• Leadership of diverse RD&I teams;
• Strategy development and implementation;
• Ability to understand, integrate, and provide technical leadership across many domains;
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high level conceptualisation;
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams;
• Human Capital Development implementation and capacity development;
• Business development and financial acumen;
• Project and programme management skills;
• Conflict management skills;
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain;
• Organisational knowledge and awareness.

What’s in it for you?

The CSIR offers:

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees’ contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

Closing date:  6 November 2025

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