Academic Planning and Innovation Lead

Randburg, South Africa Posted on 02/19/2026

Lyceum is the trusted choice for over a century of quality education in South Africa. Our unique approach combines accredited programmes with flexible distance learning, making it easier to balance your studies with your lifestyle.

With thousands of students empowered to achieve their goals, we provide an innovative platform for success.

Experience a learning environment that prioritises your growth and career advancement while giving you the freedom to learn on your terms.

Purpose and Scope of the Role

The Academic Planning and Innovation Lead provides institutional leadership in academic planning, programme direction, and innovation at Lyceum College. The role is responsible for defining what the institution offers, how programmes are structured, and how they remain relevant, compliant, and responsive to market, policy, and regulatory developments.

The incumbent operates at a strategic level, establishing academic frameworks, standards, and programme direction, while enabling the Academic Planning and Strategy Manager, Programme Architecture and Quality Specialist, and Quality Assurance functions to execute within a coherent, integrated, and well-governed academic system.

The role does not assume responsibility for academic delivery, operational programme coordination, or administrative quality assurance processes.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Institutional Academic Strategy, Growth and Programme Pipeline - (25%)

• Define and approve the institutional programme pipeline aligned to strategy, market demand, and national priorities.
• Lead portfolio rationalisation and expansion, ensuring programme offerings remain viable, relevant, and sustainable.
• Contribute to and drive the academic growth and expansion strategy, including new programme areas and delivery modes.
• Guide programme positioning, differentiation, and long-term viability.
• Support the internationalisation of academic offerings, including partnerships, articulation pathways, and global positioning.

2. Academic Frameworks and Curriculum Architecture Oversight - (15%)

• Establish institutional standards for curriculum structure, sequencing, and academic design.
• Provide strategic guidance on curriculum direction across faculties.
• Ensure integration of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and industry relevant components within programme design.

3. Teaching and Learning Strategy, Academic Development and CPD- (15%)

• Lead the development and continuous refinement of the institutional Teaching and Learning Framework.
• Drive academic professional development initiatives, including CPD frameworks for academic staff.
• Oversee the integration of academic literacies within programme design and student support frameworks.
• Establish institutional assessment strategy frameworks to ensure rigour, alignment, and consistency.
• Lead the establishment and strategic direction of the Centre for Innovation in Teaching Excellence (CITE).

4. Digital Transformation and Innovation of Academic Offerings - (10%)

• Lead the digital transformation agenda within academic planning, ensuring programmes are designed for scalability and flexibility.
• Promote the integration of digital pedagogies, learning technologies, and innovative delivery models.
• Ensure programmes are responsive to emerging trends, including 4IR and evolving student needs.

5. Academic Integrity , Compliance and Qualification Lifecycle Oversight- (10%)

• Ensure programmes are conceptually aligned to HEQSF, NQF, CHE, DHET, and SAQA requirements.
• Oversee the updating and maintenance of qualifications on the NQF.
• Drive the strategic renewal of qualifications where accreditation or registration lapses.
• Provide oversight on the institutional approach to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in collaboration with the Registrar.

6. Programme Performance, Data and Institutional Planning- (10%)

• Drive the development and oversight of programme performance dashboards, including enrolment, throughput, retention, and student success metrics.
• Use data analytics to inform academic planning, programme review, and strategic decision making.
• Ensure alignment between programme performance data and institutional planning processes.

7. Academic Workforce Planning and Staffing Models - (5%)

• Lead academic partnerships and institutional positioning.
• Support the internship programmes of the institution
• Support strategic projects impacting academic growth and innovation.

8. Industry Alignment, Partnerships and Experiential Learning - (5%)

• Ensure alignment of programmes with industry needs, professional bodies, and occupational standards where applicable.
• Coordinate and strengthen institutional partnerships with industry and professional councils.
• Co own and support the development of Lyceum internship programmes in collaboration with the Academic Liaison Lead.

9. Governance, Coordination and Institutional Alignment - (5%)

• Serve as Deputy Chair of the Academic Planning Committee.
• Ensure alignment across Academic Planning, Faculties, Quality Assurance, and the Registrar.
• Support institutional academic governance structures through strategic input and oversight.

The Academic Planning and Innovation Lead operates at a strategic and institutional level and does not assume responsibility for:

• Operational programme development, coordination, or tracking
• Detailed curriculum design and module level structuring
• Quality assurance administration, moderation coordination, or audit execution
• Academic delivery or faculty management

These functions are undertaken by the Academic Planning and Strategy Manager, Programme Architecture and Quality Specialist, Quality Assurance teams, Registrar, and Faculties respectively.

Minimum Educational Requirements

• Honours Degree in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, Law, Political Sciences, International Relations or a related field.

Experience and Expertise

• A minimum of 2 years' experience in higher education
• Experience in academic planning, programme development, and quality assurance in a higher education setting.
• Experience with South African higher education policies and accreditation processes, particularly with CHE and DHET.
• Strong understanding of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub Framework and HEMIS reporting systems.

Skills and Knowledge

• Expertise in project management, academic programme design, and curriculum development.
• Advanced report writing, data analysis, and interpretation skills, with the ability to use data to drive decision making.
• In depth knowledge of higher education policies related to teaching, learning, and quality assurance, particularly within private higher education institutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and external stakeholders.

Behavioural Attributes

Leadership

Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to guide and inspire teams towards achieving strategic academic goals.

Ability to make well informed decisions in a timely manner, even in complex and high pressure environments.

Inclusivity

Sensitivity to diversity and the ability to foster an inclusive, collaborative work environment.

Key Relationships

• Reports to - Chief Academic Officer
• Collaborates with - Heads of Faculties, Regulatory and Institutional Planning Directorate, Academic Staff, Regulatory Bodies (CHE, DHET, SAQA) and Independent Contractors or Consultants.
• External Stakeholders - Industry Partners, Professional Bodies, Accreditation Authorities