Job descriptionPrincipal | Johannesburg | Permanent Lead the future of nursing education while shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced nursing education leader to drive academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and institutional growth within a respected healthcare group. Our client is seeking a highly accomplished Principal to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for a nursing academy. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of quality nursing education and training programmes while maintaining compliance with all relevant higher education and healthcare regulatory frameworks. The role requires a visionary leader who can balance academic excellence, operational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance. You will play a critical role in programme accreditation, quality assurance, student success, faculty development, and the continued growth and reputation of the academy. Our client is a well-established healthcare organisation committed to improving lives through the delivery of quality and affordable healthcare services. The group operates within a highly regulated environment and is recognised for its commitment to clinical excellence, professional development, and community impact. What You'll Do - Provide strategic leadership and management of the nursing academy. • Ensure compliance with all applicable higher education and nursing education regulations and standards. • Drive accreditation and continuous improvement of undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes. • Establish, implement, and monitor quality assurance policies and procedures. • Oversee all student administration, academic programmes, and clinical training activities. • Support and guide clinical facilitators in the development of learning materials and assessment processes. • Develop and implement marketing initiatives aligned to organisational growth objectives. • Promote academy programmes through stakeholder engagement, outreach initiatives, and communication platforms. • Identify and establish new clinical placement opportunities for students. • Lead staff and student recruitment strategies in line with operational and regulatory requirements. • Oversee onboarding and orientation programmes for students and faculty members. • Manage budgets, expenditure, and financial controls within approved parameters. • Maintain accountability for student activity funds and related financial resources. • Build and maintain relationships with regulatory bodies, government departments, and healthcare stakeholders. What You Bring - Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree or equivalent qualification. • NQF Level qualification in Nursing Management. • Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. • Registration with the South African Nursing Council as an Assessor and Moderator. • Minimum 3 years’ management experience within a training or educational institution. • Minimum 5 years’ experience in Nursing Education. • Experience within higher education and academic institution management. • Strong understanding of legislation, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to nursing education. • Sound financial, people, and relationship management skills. • Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability. • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. • Proficiency in computer applications and academic administration systems. What Success Looks Like - Full compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements. • Successful accreditation and maintenance of academic programmes. • Strong student outcomes and academic performance. • Effective quality assurance and governance frameworks. • Sustainable growth in student enrolment and academy reputation. • Positive stakeholder relationships with regulatory bodies and healthcare partners. • Effective budget management and operational performance. • High-performing academic and support teams aligned to organisational objectives. This opportunity is ideally suited to a passionate nursing education leader who is committed to academic excellence, healthcare transformation, and developing future healthcare professionals within a dynamic and growing environment.
