The University of the Western Cape is a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic institution rooted in Africa with an expanding global presence. As it advances its strategic ambition to become a leading research-intensive university, a high-performing institutional advancement function is critical to enabling sustained growth and supporting excellence in teaching, learning, research, and institutional effectiveness.
Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the Director: Institutional Advancement will provide strategic leadership to position the University for sustained growth in philanthropic income, brand visibility, and stakeholder engagement. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, integrated institutional advancement strategy that encompasses fundraising, donor and corporate partnerships, alumni relations, marketing, communications, and multimedia engagement.
The Director will play a pivotal role in repositioning and strengthening the University’s advancement capability, including overhauling donor strategy, expanding and diversifying funding streams, and building a high-performance, results-driven function.
Central to the role is enhancing the University’s brand, reputation, and global visibility through effective marketing, strategic communications, and media engagement that support its ambition to grow as a research-intensive institution.
The incumbent will lead major gift development, capital and endowment campaigns, and strategic partnerships, while ensuring strong alignment between institutional priorities, fundraising initiatives, and external engagement.
We are looking for a dynamic person with a public presence who will:
- Provide strategic leadership of the University’s institutional advancement function, driving growth in philanthropic income, stakeholder engagement, and institutional reputation.
- Lead the development and execution of an integrated advancement strategy, encompassing fundraising, alumni relations, marketing, communications, and partnerships.
- Overhaul and strengthen the University’s donor strategy, expanding and diversifying funding streams, including corporate, foundation, and major gift support.
- Drive the achievement of ambitious fundraising targets, including leading major gift development, endowment growth, and capital campaigns.
- Enhance the University’s brand, visibility, and global positioning through effective marketing, communications, and media engagement.
- Build and sustain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including alumni, corporates, foundations, and government.
- Lead and develop a high-performing, results-driven team, ensuring accountability and delivery in a resource-constrained environment.
- Strengthen systems, governance, and performance management, including effective use of CRM, reporting, and donor stewardship practices.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the University’s executive leadership on advancement, reputation, and stakeholder strategy.
