Government EntityStellenbosch University
    LocationStellenbosch, Western Cape
    Reference NumberSLT/167/0626
    Centre / LocationStellenbosch Campus
    Closing DateJuly 17, 2026
    Source and Applicationsun-e-hr.sun.ac.za

    Organization: Centre for Learning and Teaching Enhancement

    Centre for Learning and Teaching Enhancement

    Student Succes Programmes

    Student Success Associate - Careers: Dell Young Leaders (Post Level 9)
    (Twelve-month fixed-term contract)
    (Stellenbosch Campus)
    Ref. SLT/167/0626
    The Dell Young Leaders programme empowers university students from low-income backgrounds to overcome their barriers to success and realise their role as leaders in their communities and careers. Getting to university graduation and into a meaningful career is not always easy, that's why the Dell Young Leaders programme offers relationship-based support and personalised advice and resources in four areas: academic, financial, wellness and career. The programme serves more than 1 200 active students (and growing) at three university partners and has an active alumni community of more than 1 300 graduates (and growing year-on-year). The goals of the programme are to ensure that at least 86% of students on the programme make it to graduation and at least 98% of graduates are placed in the world of work or career-enhancing further study within three months of graduation. Learn more on dellyoungleaders.org

    Position Overview
    The Dell Young Leaders programme currently has an open position for a Student Success Associate - Careers based at Stellenbosch University (SU). We are seeking an individual who is passionate about delivering career focused services directly to students to support the achievement of the programme's ambitious goals for graduation and placement outcomes. The incumbent should have the ability to engage directly with students, demonstrating deep commitment to understanding students' unique circumstances and needs and case managing them to ensure that they stay on track to graduate and enter career-enhancing further studies or meaningful employment opportunities. High energy and empathy, as well as the ability to take on varied student support workflows to deliver on the programme's vision is a non-negotiable in this role. 
    This position seeks an individual who is self-motivated, connected to the programme's impact mission, enjoys meeting deadlines and targets, is agile in responding to the changing needs of students, and in taking a collaborative approach when working in a small but high-impact team. The incumbent should have an interest for developing students in career readiness programmes and be keen to leverage technology to drive student support interventions and workflows. 
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    Commencement Date: 01-Sep-2026

    #LI-POST

    #PSS

    The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.


    Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.
    Your application, comprising a comprehensive curriculum vitae (including the names and email addresses of at least three references), must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement.
    Apply online at https://www.su.ac.za/en/careers-su by clicking "Apply now" at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy.
    The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.
    If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.
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    Enquiries about this post: Ms Anne Havemann-Serfontein on 021 808 9937, or at [email protected]

    Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre, on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at [email protected]
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    Requirements

    A relevant university degree. At least three years' work experience related to providing careers-related support. The ability to build relationships with and understand support needs of students on the programme is essential.An excellent communicator and relationship manager who can interact with individuals across multiple backgrounds, cultures, and leadership levels.Passion and energy for supporting young people's success with a solutions-orientated mindset.The maturity to deliver support with high empathy, emotional intelligence, and sensitivity.The ability to work with data and technology on a daily basis, with proficiency in MS Office, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.Strong attention to detail in recording and following up on tasks and projects.A willingness to continuously learn and keep up to date on graduate recruitment and early careers trends.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RecommendationExperience in recruitment, particularly in the early talent sector, or careers advice and guidance at a graduate level.An understanding of the South African higher education landscape is desirable, but not a requirement.Experience with creating career-related resources and designing and implementing events is desirable. Registered with the HPCSA as counsellor or psychometrist in independent practice.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Duties

    Delivering academic and career readiness advice to Dell Young Leaders students:Building a strong rapport and trust with students and ensuring that students receive timely assistance across the programme's careers support pillar. Proactively solving problems for students¿ needs by delivering tailored resources and personalised interventions through the provision of career information, advice, and guidance. Delivering this in one-on-one and group settings as needed (in person, as well as online where indicated). Supporting students with plans to enter employment by preparing them for interviews through mock interviews, CV reviews and in-person career development opportunities. Delivering opportunities for students to engage with the programme's employer partners and preparing students accordingly for these opportunities.Implementing student risk mitigation and career readiness interventions: Leveraging programme technology and data to identify at risk students and implementing case management to ensure students are supported to meet their university and career goals. Understanding risks to a student securing placement after graduation and ensuring that workflows target these students for intervention. Supporting continuous development of the student career offering and resources and identifying mechanisms to drive efficient coverage of support. Designing and implementing career readiness programmes and events:Delivering career readiness programmes and events for students and employer partners year-round. These events, held both on campus and at offsite venues, will vary throughout the year and are designed to give students direct interaction with employers. They also offer employers the opportunity to "give back" through activities such as mock interviews and CV reviews, while also helping students to enhance their skills as they progress on their career readiness journey.Executing workflows leveraging the programme's custom technology toolset:Updating and managing student and alumni records through workflows within the technology tool. Ensuring that student support cases are managed end to end and support delivery is recorded and can be reported upon by using the programme's data-driven approach. Managing a calendar of consultations and incoming and outgoing student communications.Supporting application, selection and onboarding of Dell Young Leaders students to the programme:Ensuring that potential applicants are provided with information relating to the programme and participating as a panellist for the interview process to select students who meet the programme's criteria. Delivering onboarding support to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the programme offering, building strong programme buy-in. Effectively supporting students to manage the transition to university and to begin preparing for their future careers from their first year of study.Note:Due to the requirements of the job and nature of the position, work on Saturdays or after-hours may be required, and up to 10% domestic travel may be required.Although this role will be based at Stellenbosch University and would require in person presence most of the time, the role will not be 100% office-bound and the ability to travel to different sites using your own transport arrangements will be required. This is a one-year-contract role based at Stellenbosch University. This role is fully funded by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. Contract renewal will be based upon annual funding approval.------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Source / Circular Reference

    sun-e-hr.sun.ac.za