The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) strives to improve the nation’s health and quality of life by funding and conducting relevant and leading health research. It further aims to promote equity, career development and progression. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: TRANSFORMATION
(CAPE TOWN OFFICE)
5-year contract position

The Executive Director for Transformation will provide strategic leadership, guidance, and oversight concerning socio-cultural transformation and equity within the institution through the integration of social purpose principles.

The incumbent serves on the SAMRC’s Executive Management Committee (EMC), and accountable for championing and operationalizing transformation imperatives across all facets of the organisation. Reporting to the President and CEO, the ED: Transformation is working closely with the various key stakeholders to embed the SAMRC's social purpose into its governance, strategy, and decision-making processes at all levels.

Responsibilities include setting clear direction for addressing risks related to the economic, social, and environmental (ESG) context in which SAMRC operates, as well as defining the scope and characteristics of those risks. The role recognises the impact of technological advancements on interpersonal interactions, work processes, and engagement both within the institution and broader communities. In collaboration with key stakeholders, the position promotes environmental stewardship, enhances understanding of environmental issues, and facilitates the dissemination of good practices. Thus, the post leads a multi-dimensional programme designed to generate meaningful and measurable change for SAMRC, fostering an enabling and inclusive organisational culture, encouraging individual self-awareness, self-management, and self-mastery, while strengthening teams and creating vibrant, nurturing and supportive campus environments. This role combines strategic vision with practical execution, ensuring that social impact initiatives are aligned with organisational objectives, sustainability targets, and transformation imperatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the SAMRC’s Transformation Plan, aligned with international trends, national policies and programmes, strategic organisational priorities and good practice.
• Develop and drive the SAMRC’s social purpose strategy integrated in the organisational strategy by leading cross-functional teams to design and implement initiatives that achieve social purpose goals.
• Drive programmes and campaigns that cultivate self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal accountability in leaders, teams and employees.
• Serve as the organisation’s primary ambassador for social purpose, representing SAMRC at high-level Forums and Events by clearly articulating and communicating the institution’s social purpose through internal communications, branding materials, recruitment, and onboarding processes.
• Maintain systems for evaluation and monitoring of transformation initiatives, providing critical data and insights to guide institutional’ s social purpose execution and demonstrate its impact.
• Establish relevant key performance metrics and reporting framework.
• Prepare reports on transformation achievements for presentation to relevant key stakeholders including the Board.
• Management of the Transformation Office

KEY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Masters degree in Business Administration, Sustainability, Public Policy, Social Sciences or related field.
• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in complex, public-facing organizations. Minimum of 5 years proven track record in developing and implementing social purpose or organisational transformation initiatives at an executive level.
• Background in stakeholder engagement, public policy, and external communications.
• Experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and engaging with external stakeholders.
• Formal/informal training in skills such as emotional intelligence, positive psychology, character strengths, the Enneagram, 360 reviews and so forth.

THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES MAY BE ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• Degree/Diploma in a coaching field.
• Working experience in research, academic, public-sector or science-focused institutions.
• Demonstrated experience in change management especially in embedding social purpose initiatives.
• Working experience in personal and team coaching, the resolution of conflict, conflict resolution

Terms & Conditions: The SAMRC retains the right not to make an appointment. In accordance with the SAMRC’s Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from the designated groups. For this reason, we require race, gender and disability status to be specified. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply. By submitting your application, SAMRC concludes that you are a competent person to consent and that you are giving consent to the SAMRC to process and further process all personal information contained in the application in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act No 4 of 2013 (as amended).  The SAMRC does its best to provide the most accurate information; however, if there is anything wrong and unclear applicants are encouraged to contact the HR Recruitment Office at 021 9380 648 before the closing date.

The SAMRC offers a highly competitive, all-inclusive remuneration package, which is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications.

Closing date: 30 April 2026

PLEASE QUOTE THE REFERENCE NUMBER (R927) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOUR SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SHOULD YOUR APPLICATION NOT BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION.

To apply, please visit: www.samrc.ac.za.