Academic Success Coach

Region: Stellenbosch
Reporting to: Head of Teaching
Work hours: Full time, on-site
Job Purpose
The Academic Success Coach plays a key role in supporting student academic development, retention, and success across programmes. The position focuses on developing students’ academic skills, promoting effective learning strategies, and working collaboratively with academic staff to identify and address learning challenges. The role contributes to institutional learning development initiatives and supports the creation of an inclusive and student-centred learning environment.
Student Support
- Conduct individual and group sessions with students to assess learning needs, study habits, and academic challenges.
- Provide personalised guidance and support to assist students in developing effective study plans and strategies.
- Develop and deliver engaging workshops and training sessions on topics such as time management, note-taking, critical thinking, memory techniques, and examination preparation.
- Demonstrate the ability to design and deliver effective and engaging learning experiences.
- Identify at-risk students through early alert systems and academic performance monitoring and provide targeted academic support interventions.
- Collaborate with academic staff to identify common learning challenges and develop appropriate academic support resources and interventions.
- Create and curate learning resources, including handouts, videos, and online modules, to support independent learning.
- Monitor student progress and provide ongoing feedback to promote continuous academic improvement.
- Initiate training for academic staff to recognise indicators of academic support needs among students.
- Guide academic staff on practical ways to integrate academic support within routine teaching activities.
- Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment that promotes student well-being and success.
- Stay informed about current research and best practices in learning development and higher education pedagogy.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the institution’s learning development strategy.
Administration Management
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of all academic support consultations and interventions.
- Produce regular reports on student engagement, progress, and academic support outcomes.
- Maintain records of meetings and discussions with academic staff, the registrar, and student support units.
- Document actions and follow-up interventions arising from academic support engagements.
- Develop and maintain a secure and confidential record-keeping system on the institutional platform.
Communication and Relationship Management
- Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Work collaboratively with students, parents, teaching staff, and support units to create a positive learning environment.
- Show commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable academic environment.
Lecturing
- Lecture one module per academic year in a relevant field such as Academic Literacy, Learning Strategies, or Student Success.
Research and Scholarship
- Contribute to scholarship and research output in the field of higher education learning development and student success in line with institutional expectations.
Institutional Committees
The Academic Success Coach will serve on institutional committees as required, including but not limited to:
- Community Engagement Committee
Requirements
The successful applicant will meet the following requirements:
- Master’s degree in Education, Psychology, or a related field.
- Minimum of three years’ experience in learning development, academic support, or a related role within higher education.
- Strong knowledge of learning theories, study strategies, and metacognitive skills development.
Competencies
The successful applicant will demonstrate:
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to design and deliver engaging and effective learning experiences.
- Experience in creating and curating learning resources and academic support materials.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency in using technology to support learning, including learning management systems, video conferencing, and multimedia tools.
- Familiarity with the needs and challenges of students in private higher education contexts.
- Understanding of the Recognition of Prior Learning process and the monitoring of RPL students.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive and student-focused academic environment.
Closing Date
23 March 2026
Interview Process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date.
Commencement Date
1 April 2026
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the official application form: https://forms.gle/nWj1GSMARR4i44n76
Submitting a curriculum vitae alone may result in exclusion from the shortlisting process.
Applicants are required to complete the application form in full.





