Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Overview :

Are you a proven Turnaround Specialist ready to shape South Africa’s future?

A national institution, responsible for one of the largest public funding portfolios in the country, is seeking an influential and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead through a period of bold reform and renewal. This is not a maintenance role, it is a defining turnaround mandate that demands authority, credibility, and the courage to inspire confidence at the highest levels of society.

The Opportunity : As CEO, you will :

• Lead a comprehensive turnaround programme , stabilizing operations and embedding a culture of accountability, performance, and service excellence.
• Restore public trust through uncompromising governance, transparency, and ethical leadership.
• Drive digital transformation , building technology-enabled, future-fit systems.
• Mobilize new funding streams through partnerships, donor engagement, and Treasury collaboration.
• Influence and align government, regulators, academia, unions, and civil society at the highest levels.
• Position the institution as a trusted enabler of higher education access and youth employability .

The Ideal Candidate :

We are searching for a charismatic, respected turnaround leader who brings :

Minimum Qualifications : A PhD or dual Master’s degrees (NQF 9 / 10 minimum) in Finance, Public Administration, or a related field, coupled with 15 years’ management experience (10 at executive level).

Why This Role Matters

This is more than a leadership appointment, it is a national mission . The successful candidate will not only lead a critical institutional turnaround but also leave a lasting legacy by ensuring equitable access to education, strengthening youth employability, and advancing South Africa’s socio-economic transformation.