Executive Director

Executive DirectorSouthern African Institute of WeldingThe Southern African Institute of Welding is seeking to appoint a dynamic, strategic and commercially astute Executive Director to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth. The Executive Director will be responsible for setting the overall strategic direction, driving business development, overseeing day-to-day operations, and ensuring alignment with the organisation’s long-term objectives.Executive DirectorSouthern African Institute of WeldingThe Southern African Institute of Welding is seeking to appoint a dynamic, strategic and commercially astute Executive Director to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth. The Executive Director will be responsible for setting the overall strategic direction, driving business development, overseeing day-to-day operations, and ensuring alignment with the organisation’s long-term objectives.About the RoleThis senior leadership role requires an experienced executive with strong expertise in business management, operations, financial oversight, compliance, organisational development and sustainable growth. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage key business functions, optimise operational efficiency, strengthen financial performance, and promote innovation and industry leadership.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership and Business Development• Develop and execute corporate strategies to support long-term growth and sustainability.• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, partnerships and revenue streams.• Expand opportunities locally and internationally, including the launch and maintenance of certification and training programmes.• Oversee marketing, branding and corporate communications, including social media, press relations and industry events.Business and Financial Management• Manage overall business operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and financial sustainability.• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.• Develop and implement financial controls to support cost-effective operations and revenue growth.• Ensure compliance with corporate governance, legal requirements and financial audits.• Drive continuous improvement and organisational risk management.Stakeholder and Client Engagement• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Board, shareholders, regulatory bodies and key industry stakeholders.• Represent the organisation in external engagements, industry forums and relevant professional networks.• Oversee customer feedback management, including complaint resolution and whistleblower reports.Operational and Compliance Management• Implement and maintain ISO management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 3834 and ISO 17021/17024/17025 standards.• Oversee business process improvements, performance metrics and operational efficiencies.• Ensure all operations comply with South African regulations and industry best practices.Human Resources and Organisational Development• Ensure compliance with South African labour laws, B-BBEE, Employment Equity and related HR regulations.• Oversee HR processes, including employee relations, time and attendance, and enforcement of company policies.• Manage organisational performance, training and talent development initiatives.Minimum Requirements and QualificationsEssential Requirements• Engineering Degree (BEng or BSc Engineering) or Higher National Diploma in Engineering.• Minimum of 10 years’ executive-level business management experience in industry or a relevant training environment.• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.• In-depth knowledge of business operations, including governance, risk management and compliance.• Experience with ISO management systems and SHEQ standards.• Strong leadership and strategic decision-making skills.• Familiarity with South African labour laws, B-BBEE and compliance regulations.• Excellent communication skills, with experience engaging Boards, shareholders and external stakeholders.Preferred or Advantageous Qualifications• Master of Business Administration (MBA).• International Welding Engineer/Technologist (IWE/ITW) qualification.LinkedIn Screening Questions• ☐ Do you have an Engineering Degree or Higher National Diploma in Engineering? Yes required — mandatory• ☐ Do you have at least 10 years of executive business management experience? Yes required — mandatory• ☐ Do you have an MBA? Preferred, not mandatory• ☐ Do you have an International Welding Engineer/Technologist (IWE/ITW) qualification? Preferred, not mandatory• ☐ Are you familiar with ISO management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 3834? Preferred, not mandatoryThis senior leadership role requires an experienced executive with strong expertise in business management, operations, financial oversight, compliance, organisational development and sustainable growth. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage key business functions, optimise operational efficiency, strengthen financial performance, and promote innovation and industry leadership.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership and Business Development·       Develop and execute corporate strategies to support long-term growth and sustainability.·       Identify and pursue new business opportunities, partnerships and revenue streams.·       Expand opportunities locally and internationally, including the launch and maintenance of certification and training programmes.·       Oversee marketing, branding and corporate communications, including social media, press relations and industry events.Business and Financial Management·       Manage overall business operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and financial sustainability.·       Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.·       Develop and implement financial controls to support cost-effective operations and revenue growth.·       Ensure compliance with corporate governance, legal requirements and financial audits.·       Drive continuous improvement and organisational risk management.Stakeholder and Client Engagement·       Build and maintain strong relationships with the Board, shareholders, regulatory bodies and key industry stakeholders.·       Represent the organisation in external engagements, industry forums and relevant professional networks.·       Oversee customer feedback management, including complaint resolution and whistleblower reports.Operational and Compliance Management·       Implement and maintain ISO management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 3834 and ISO 17021/17024/17025 standards.·       Oversee business process improvements, performance metrics and operational efficiencies.·       Ensure all operations comply with South African regulations and industry best practices.Human Resources and Organisational Development·       Ensure compliance with South African labour laws, B-BBEE, Employment Equity and related HR regulations.·       Oversee HR processes, including employee relations, time and attendance, and enforcement of company policies.·       Manage organisational performance, training and talent development initiatives.Minimum Requirements and QualificationsEssential Requirements·       Engineering Degree (BEng or BSc Engineering) or Higher National Diploma in Engineering.·       Minimum of 10 years’ executive-level business management experience in industry or a relevant training environment.·       Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.·       In-depth knowledge of business operations, including governance, risk management and compliance.·       Experience with ISO management systems and SHEQ standards.·       Strong leadership and strategic decision-making skills.·       Familiarity with South African labour laws, B-BBEE and compliance regulations.·       Excellent communication skills, with experience engaging Boards, shareholders and external stakeholders.Preferred or Advantageous Qualifications·       Master of Business Administration (MBA).·       International Welding Engineer/Technologist (IWE/ITW) qualification.LinkedIn Screening Questions·       ☐ Do you have an Engineering Degree or Higher National Diploma in Engineering? Yes required — mandatory·       ☐ Do you have at least 10 years of executive business management experience? Yes required — mandatory·       ☐ Do you have an MBA? Preferred, not mandatory·       ☐ Do you have an International Welding Engineer/Technologist (IWE/ITW) qualification? Preferred, not mandatory·       ☐ Are you familiar with ISO management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 3834? Preferred, not mandatory