ADVERT – GENERAL MANAGER: QUALITY ASSURANCE

This position offers strategic leadership within the quality assurance division of a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) operating in the fibre, paper, printing, packaging, and related manufacturing subsectors. Based in Dunkeld West, Johannesburg, the General Manager: Quality Assurance is responsible for driving the entire quality assurance lifecycle of the organisation's learning programmes and for embedding an integrated Quality Management System (QMS) across all business units. The role is a fixed-term contract running until 31 March 2030 and is graded according to the approved organisational structurezza. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will be expected to act as a change agent, ensuring that the SETA achieves and maintains clean audit outcomes through meticulous document management, elimination of operational waste, and the timeous revision and registration of industry-led qualifications and trades. The role also carries responsibility for strengthening risk management frameworks across qualifications and learnerships within the SETA’s designated subsectors.

Candidates must hold a master’s degree or an equivalent post-graduate qualification, with a project management qualification considered an added advantage. A profound understanding of Government’s national skills development strategies and the statutory mandate of SETAs is essential, alongside a proven track record in qualifications development and direct working experience with SAQA frameworks. Thorough knowledge of QCTO, NAMB, and related sector-specific legislation and processes is also required. Applicants should have at least five years’ senior management experience, with demonstrated ability to strategise, lead, plan, and manage change. The role demands strong organisational, time management, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills, as well as the capacity to work under pressure in a team-oriented and cross-functional environment. Negotiation and decision-making abilities are critical, together with behavioural attributes such as brand leadership, positive influence, independence, precision, coherent application of principles, and confidentiality.

Key duties include providing end-to-end, results-based leadership for quality assurance; proactive stakeholder and partnership management; and sound management of staff, financial resources, and IT assets within the division. The General Manager will design the divisional budget, ensure efficient resource allocation, and direct operations to successfully deliver 50 qualifications within an 18-month timeframe. The post-holder will also drive work-integrated learning so that trained learners are absorbed by industryiş. Other responsibilities include developing and reviewing policies and procedures for qualifications and learnerships, ensuring regulatory compliance, developing and implementing learning programmes, quality-assuring and certifying industry learning programmes, framing occupations, and preparing reports on monthly, quarterly, and annual departmental targets. The role requires verification and production of credible periodic reports for the CEO, proactive management of timelines for qualifications and trades reporting, liaison with auditors to ensure all recommendations are addressed, and identification and mitigation of risks. Administrative duties include recommending regional accreditation for approval, providing continuous leadership and coaching to divisional staff, and performing any other tasks assigned by the CEO. The General Manager will also oversee performance management, ensuring knowledge transfer, capacity building, and that competency and training gaps are addressed in liaison with the HR division.

The FP&M SETA encourages suitably qualified historically disadvantaged individuals to apply. The organisation reserves the right to amend the advert or not to make an appointment. Candidates who have not received correspondence within eight weeks of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. Shortlisted candidates only will be contacted. Please note that all personal information submitted will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, No 4 of 2013, and applications without the required information or certified records may not be considered. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced quality assurance professional seeking to shape the skills development landscape within a key South African sector.