Executive Director

Introduction

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of institutes dedicated to education research and public engagement. AIMS provides state of the art postgraduate training enabling students from all over the continent to progress to careers in mathematics science and technology. AIMS South Africa (AIMS-SA) operates in partnership with the Universities of Cape Town Stellenbosch and the Western Cape to offer Masters-level courses conduct cutting-edge research and share mathematics and science with the wider community. AIMS-SA has an outstanding track record of scientific excellence and innovation and has been building mathematical science across Africa for over two decades. (Visit our website for more details.)

AIMS now operates six institutes across Africa in Cameroon Ghana Rwanda (2) Senegal and South Africa. Collectively these graduate around 300 Masters and PhD students each year. The great majority of AIMS alumni remain in Africa : many now occupy leadership positions in academia government and industry across the continent. AIMS also operates mathematics and science teacher training programs in Cameroon Ghana Rwanda and South Africa.

The strategic pillars of the AIMS network are to :

• Produce the next generation of African leaders and educators in STEM.
• Increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in STEM.
• Create an inclusive and enabling environment for research and innovation.
• Raise awareness of the value and importance of science among the general public.

AIMS already has over 3500 alumni and has ambitious growth plans including to establish another four AIMS centres and to graduate 10000 young scientists and innovators by the end of this decade.

The Executive Director of AIMS-SA provides strategic vision oversight and management leadership for the Cape Town based Institutes programmes and partnerships in the above context.

Role Overview

AIMS South Africa seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to inspire motivate and empower the diverse staff team the international student body the visiting lecturers and researchers to embrace its vision and mandate and contribute towards achieving its strategic goals. The incumbent will join the centre presidents from the five other AIMS centres in providing leadership to the continental network. Based at AIMS-SA it is expected that the Executive Director will utilise her or his academic research and managerial expertise to guide the Institute to its next level of success. Adept at building partnerships and pursuing strategic initiatives the Director will nurture a collaborative environment that promotes the pursuit of academic excellence and contributes to the ongoing growth of the mathematical sciences in South Africa and beyond.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Leadership

Academic Leadership

Business Development and Partnership Building

priorities including mathematics science and economic development

Operations Management

Desired Experience Qualification & Application Procedure

Qualifications and experience

The successful candidate will meet the following criteria

Desirable skills and experience

Appointment and application procedure

The appointment is full-time for five years and is renewable for a further five-year term subject to approval by the AIMS-SA Trust and the AIMS International Governing Board. It is available to be filled on 1

st

December 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

To apply please submit a cover letter and full curriculum vitae including the names of three contactable referees to

Potential applicants may contact or David Holgate ( ) for further information. The closing date for applications is 10 October 2025.

AIMS is committed to the pursuit of excellence diversity and redress. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. The position comes with a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Required Experience :

Director

Key Skills

Fiscal Management,Fundraising,Assisted Living,Management Experience,Hospice Care,Nonprofit Management,Operations Management,Strategic Planning,Budgeting,Grant Writing,Leadership Experience,Public Speaking

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1