The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) is mandated to develop, promote and maintain South African National Standards (SANS); promote quality in connection with commodities, products and services; and render conformity assessment services and assist in matters connected therewith. Working for the SABS opens the mind to the world around you. We offer diverse career paths in a dynamic environment that nurtures and recognises talent and potential. Become part of our vision of being a trusted standardisation and business assurance solution provider and join a team that fosters accountability, excellence and innovation in an inclusive workplace.
SABS is an equal opportunities employer, and our recruitment will be done in line with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and our EE Policy.
Please note by responding to the advertisement, you consent to the collection, processing, and storing of your Personal Information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Your information will be used solely for purposes of recruitment and more specifically for the position you have applied for, and will not be shared with third parties without prior consent unless required by law.
Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
To provide strategic, administrative, and operational support to the Office of the CEO. The role is critical in ensuring the effective coordination of stakeholder engagements, strategic project implementation, document management, and office operations in support of the CEO’s objectives and the broader organizational strategy.
- Diploma + Advanced Diploma / Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Human Resource Management, Labour Relations. (NQF Level 7)
- Postgraduate diploma advantageous.
- Additional certifications in Project Management (e.g., PMP/Prince2), Governance, or Strategy Execution would be advantageous.
- 10 years’ work experience in a senior management, strategy, consulting, or executive support role. (Operational Level)
- 3 years management experience. (Managerial Level)
- Demonstrated track record in driving strategic initiatives, organizational alignment, and cross-functional projects. (Operational Level)
- Experience in governance, board processes, and executive decision-making environments. (Operational Level)
- Strong exposure to stakeholder management at a senior level, including external stakeholders such as government, regulators, or partners.(Operational Level)
Operational Management
OFFICE OPERATIONS AND DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
- Maintain systems and procedures for effective document and information flow within and from the CEO’s office.
- Develop and manage electronic and manual filing systems for resolutions, reports, and meeting outcomes.
- Ensure timely preparation of documents, minutes, and briefing packs for executive and board-related engagements.
- Establish, implement, and continuously improve systems, policies, and procedures to ensure an efficient and seamless flow of information within the CEO’s Office and across the organisation.
- Manage both electronic and manual document management systems, ensuring accurate filing, version control, easy retrieval, and compliance with governance and audit requirements.
- Maintain a central repository for all CEO-related documentation, including board resolutions, executive reports, strategic plans, and meeting outcomes.
- Ensure the timely compilation, quality assurance, and distribution of executive documents, including board packs, briefing notes, presentations, and minutes.
- Track and monitor the implementation of resolutions and action items arising from executive and board meetings, ensuring accountability and timely closure.
- Coordinate document preparation processes across departments to ensure alignment, completeness, and adherence to submission deadlines and standards.
- Safeguard the integrity, security, and confidentiality of all documents handled within the CEO’s Office.
Functional Management
- Provide efficient and cost-effective administration and communication services to the CEO.
- Coordinate and manage the CEO’s engagements with internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversee strategic project coordination and track key deliverables aligned with the CEO’s priorities.
- Support performance management processes for direct reports to the CEO.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders.
- Coordinate communication and follow-up actions from stakeholder engagements.
- Manage sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
- Act as a strategic enabler to the CEO by ensuring alignment of priorities, effective execution of key initiatives, and optimal functioning of the CEO’s Office.
- Provide high-level advisory and coordination support to the CEO, facilitating informed decision-making and execution of strategic objectives.
- Orchestrate stakeholder engagement at executive level, strengthening relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, government entities, and strategic partners.
- Serve as a central coordination point for communication and engagement between the CEO and stakeholders, ensuring consistency, professionalism, and strategic alignment.
- Drive the coordination and monitoring of strategic projects and organisational priorities under the CEO’s portfolio, ensuring delivery against agreed outcomes and timelines.
- Enable organisational performance by supporting the CEO in driving accountability across direct reports and ensuring alignment to strategic goals and performance frameworks.
- Provide oversight on executive communication, ensuring messaging is aligned to organisational strategy, reputation management, and stakeholder expectations.
- Identify and mitigate strategic, operational, and reputational risks within the CEO’s Office and across key engagements.
- Continuously enhance the effectiveness of the CEO’s Office by embedding best practices, improving processes, and enabling a high-performance environment.
Risk and Compliance Management
- Adhere to fraud controls, risk prevention principles, governance, compliance processes, and risk management tools.
- Support and provide evidence for internal and external audits.
- Prevent audit findings within area of responsibility.
- Take action to mitigate payroll-related risks.
- Review related Standard Operating Procedures to optimise business.
- Provide input for policy and procedure updates when required.
- Maintain risk management standards aligned with regulations.
- Enforce Service Level Agreements to minimise risk and ensure business continuity.
- Ensure payroll compliance with South African labour laws, tax regulations, and company policies.
- Adhere to all relevant laws, policies, and Standard Operating Procedures.
Financial Management
- Provide input to plan and compile the annual budget aligned to tactical delivery plans.
- Implement, manage, and monitor the budget; mitigate and report variances.
- Deploy financial controls to manage the budget.
- Manage human and financial resources within the CEO’s office.
- Monitor office budgets, expenditure, and procurement.
People Management
- Manage direct reports to achieve divisional strategic objectives.
- Drive performance through employee empowerment, skills development, retention, and succession planning.
- Foster integrity and ethics by embedding core values into processes, procedures, and practices.
- Implement a learning culture.
- Drive performance management aligned with SABS policy; address performance challenges and develop subordinates.
- Champion change, culture, and diversity initiatives for the Office of the CEO.
- Recruit and retain key talent and critically skilled personnel to run daily operations.
Stakeholder Management
- Identify and mitigate internal system and procedural barriers to enhance customer service.
- Build and maintain internal and external stakeholder relationships to manage expectations, share knowledge, and achieve operational excellence.
- Represent and participate in organisational committees and task teams.
- Convene, chair, and attend meetings; present performance and business information to stakeholders.
- Resolve operational enquiries and complaints through timeous action or escalation.
- Provide technical support and advocacy on Operational Excellence across the organisation.
- Document all stakeholder engagements to ensure continuity.
