Senior Programme Manager

Job Description

The University of the Witwatersrand is seeking a Senior Programme Manager to develop and manage institute programs and research activities focused on artificial and natural intelligence. The role involves strategic alignment, funding management, and fostering partnerships to drive cutting-edge research and innovation.

Requirements

• PhD in an academic field relevant to artificial or natural intelligence
• Relevant business or project management training
• Research interest in artificial intelligence, natural intelligence, theories of intelligence and cognition, biologically-inspired learning mechanisms, intelligent technologies, technological innovation, related policy and governance, or models and algorithms in domains such as autonomous decision making, computer vision, language, or probabilistic models
• Outcomes-driven research and academic management experience
• Experience in academic research or innovation program management
• Proven track record in strategic planning and operational management of large-scale, resource-complex initiatives
• Experience in budget management, resource planning, mobilization, and allocation
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage talent
• Ability to foster a positive organizational culture
• Ability to collaboratively enhance brand reputation
• Experience in curation, teaching, and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and programs, including postgraduate supervision

Responsibilities

• Curate, plan, and deliver strategically aligned programs and grants
• Provide management leadership for MIND’s program pathway and workstreams, including flagship, core, and collaborative research initiatives, events, platforms, networks, facilities, and capacity development
• Secure and effectively manage funding for strategic programs
• Contribute to the institute’s core sustainability endeavors
• Manage programmatic strategic alignment through project and activity implementation
• Develop and oversee Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) planning and reporting
• Develop and maintain outcomes-driven programmatic partnerships
• Foster collaboration with researchers, industry partners, academic institutions, thought leaders, and other stakeholders
• Support the institute’s academic and teaching strategic objectives
• Ensure quality supervision, efficiency, innovation, and student success
• Manage talent, including strategy, acquisition, development, retention, turnover, and succession planning
• Uphold ethical academic and research leadership and compliance with ethical standards