Application close date: 10 July 2026
The Position
The ideal candidate for this position will have a passion for Risk and Insurance and for leading academic excellence in the field. The successful candidate will be committed to making a significant contribution to the development of competent, ethical and industry-relevant Risk and Insurance professionals through high-quality education, training and programme leadership. This Head of Department position is housed within the Department of Risk and Insurance in the School of Financial Services.
Responsibilities
Business development:
Build relationships with potential and current clients and/or industry bodies to grow the department of financial planning.
Curriculum development
Work closely with various teams and stakeholders to roll out the new qualification within the Department and take ownership of the development.
Collaborate with other stakeholders and take responsibility for the development and authoring of learning material, including all subject-related content and information uploaded to the virtual learning environment (VLE).
High attention to detail and strict adherence to deadlines.
Build good relationships with internal departments and part-time academics.
Teaching
Implement the assessment policy and procedures of Milpark in line with HEQC requirements regarding assigned programmes and subjects.
Lecture and assess on assigned programmes in field of expertise.
Manage the assessment drafting process for assigned subjects across programmes within timelines as require.
Conduct internal moderation on assigned subjects.
Sign off on all assessments on assigned subject.
Manage academic assessment discrepancies for assigned programmes and make recommendations to the Results Committee.
Control and sign-off of marks for assigned programmes.
Assist with academic policy development for the faculty processes.
Obtain input from industry to ensure innovation and relevance of teaching and to improve teaching material.
Take responsibility for all learning material as well as subject-related information loaded on Milpark platforms.
Assist students with content related queries and deal with requests for extra student support.
Build good relationships with internal departments and part-time academics.
Serve on relevant academic committees.
Programme Oversight
Develop and document admission and exemption policies for the programme
Develop RPL policy for a specific programme
Oversee implementation of admission and selection policies for the assigned programmes (ensuring all entry criteria met and approval of selection and admissions)
Track and manage student throughput on assigned programmes, in consultation with PMs, including the oversight of “at risk” student management
Action items that come out of specific student surveys and focus groups, in coordination with programme managers
Take responsibility and ownership for the coherence and relevance of the assigned programmes and areas
Ensure adequate author briefing for new subjects
Manage all assigned programmes with reference to quality of course content and teaching and student support
Monitor curriculum development implementation, performance and quality of assigned programmes
Prepare documentation (submissions) for registration (SAQA) and accreditation of programmes (HEQC)
Assist with preparation of Prospectus/Milpark Rules/similar
Manage the review process of material for assigned subjects in line with Milpark’s processes and procedures
Recruitment, performance management and people development
Recruit academic staff (online lecturers, examiners, critical readers, authors, moderators, tutors, supervisors, markers) for assigned areas.
Take responsibility for the quality of academic staff appointed and contracted on assigned subjects.
Manage induction and development of new academic staff.
Manage the performance of lecturing staff to ensure that part-time lecturers meet Milpark’s standards.
Take responsibility for lecturer and examiner development of teaching and learning ability according to quality assurance requirements.
Address poor performance of full-time and part-time academic staff.
Research (if applicable)
Conduct research and produce publications or other research outputs in line with departmental objectives
Assist with the research of students and faculty
Act as supervisor and/or marker for student research in field of expertise
Recruit supervisors and markers in the field of expertise
Give input into the services delivered by the LRC
Customer Service
Improve and ensure student motivation.
Assist with after – hour academic representation online.
Be available to meet with students in terms of an agreed schedule.
Ensure the student profiles are kept up to date with all contact intervention information and/or academic info.
Manage students across horizontal and vertical articulation
Address student academic queries and disputes
Provide academic consulting services to students, faculty and sales & marketing department
Participate in HEQC/DoE enquiries
Consult with marketing and administrative departments in connection with student evaluation and feedback.
Maintain professional relationships with all Milpark management and staff.
Take accountability for own development
Expand your own expertise on a continuous basis.
Attend workshops and engage with the professional and academic communities to stay abreast of developments in the field of expertise.
Special projects
Assist in the delivery of special projects as determined by management.
Provide consulting services as and when required in field of expertise, in consultation with management
Education
Masters Degree (NQF 9) in Risk or Insurance related field (preferred), at least a NQF8 industry related qualification.
Risk and/or Insurance industry related designation holder.
Experience
Minimum 3 years’ experience working in the Risk and/or Insurance Industry (preferred).
Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in the academic field.
Management experience (preferred).
Desired Behavioural Competencies
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Proven record of ability to manage time and to work to strict deadlines in a fast-moving environment
Ability to give high attention to detail
Ability to work in a team
Excellent interpersonal skills
Commitment to continuous professional development
Passion for education and for students
Good analytical skills
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Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups, and appointments will be made in line with our EE requirements