Work at the IoDSA

Job Title: Manager: Thought Leadership
Reports To: Executive: Client Services
Based At: Grayston Ridge Office Park, Block B, 144 Katherine Street, Sandown

1. Job Purpose and Role

The Thought Leadership Manager will be responsible for managing, creating and enhancing the IoDSA’s governance thought leadership through the management and production of thought leadership content (such as papers, research, newsletters and events) through various mediums, to ensure the IoDSA achieves its strategic objectives and business plans.

The reputation and corporate image of the IoDSA are both factors that you will have direct influence over. As such, you need to be an effective communicator who can deal with various types of individuals and situations which require quick learning, agility and confidence to provide effective project management. Your role is to maintain and protect the best interests of the IoDSA in all stakeholder engagements and collaborative initiatives.

The ideal candidate will be proactive, compliance-driven, research-oriented and hands-on to ensure fit-forpurpose solutions and drafting. Project management and good administrative skills are a must for this position.

2. Key responsibilities and duties

Forums and Research Project Management

• Performing the secretariat function for all Forums and working groups established (this includes
  managing the membership admin, setting up meetings, preparing agendas and meeting packs, keeping
  track and following up on action items, project management of working groups, etc to ensure
  achievement of goals).
  
• Ensuring information sharing happens across forums and working groups to avoid duplication of work
  etc.
  
• Managing the IoDSA Governance Research Platform, projects approval process and oversight of
  approved projects.
  
• Managing research projects and ensuring expected outcomes and deadlines are met
  
• Managing stakeholder engagements and expectations.
  

Thought Leadership General Management

• Project managing IoDSA guidance and research publications (including reviewing and typesetting).
  
• Drafting thought leadership papers and content (where required).
• Meeting with third parties on potential collaborations – hold briefing meetings to understand the scope
  and determine if proposals align with IoDSA objectives.
  
• Managing and creating/uploading content for the Frequently Asked Questions database.
• Overseeing, drafting and identifying case law summaries applicable to directors and maintaining the
  case law summary database.
• Overseeing and preparing the quarterly Governance Matters technical newsletter to IoDSA Members.
• Overseeing the publications library on the IoDSA website and mobile App.
  
• Overseeing and managing technical events in conjunction with the marketing team (which includes
  identifying topics and speakers for events).

Advocacy

• Keeping current on latest laws, regulations and governance trends impacting directors.
  
• Creating content to alert IoDSA members of legislative or regulatory changes that impact them.

Advisory member queries

• Respond to technical queries related to King Reports and best governance practices.
  
• Create Frequently Asked Questions from member queries received.

Reporting

• Maintain and prepare monthly reports against key business plan targets
  
• Capture and record member queries for reporting
  
• Prepare forecasts and budgets

3. Attitude & Personal Attributes

Mandatory behavioural competencies:

• Purpose: Show commitment, be dependable and understand the why, and do the right things
• Passion: Innovative, agile, efficient & have drive.
• Performance: Display excellence, Solution-orientated, can take on more, commitment to improvement.
• Professionalism: Act with integrity, show respect, team player and good communication skills.
  

Additional skills:

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication tailored to governing body/director
  audiences and ability to articulate concepts accurately in English (non-negotiable).
• Excellent research, interpretation and writing skills (non-negotiable).
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to accuracy (non-negotiable).
  
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect governance trends to business strategy.
• Inquisitive and innovative mindset, with the ability to generate thought leadership ideas.
• Ethical, dependable, and aligned with IoDSA’s values and purpose.
  
• Professional, articulate, and confident in high-level engagements.
  
• Ability to deal with demanding stakeholders and keep composure, and specifically managing
  expectations whilst always ensuring that IoDSA’s best interests are at the forefront.
  
• Ability to work under high pressure and in a high-performing team, whilst managing stress well.
  
• Ability to remain calm while working under pressure.
• Ability to multitask and manage different projects and deadlines.
• Good self-discipline and self-management (i.e. ability to work independently without constant
  supervision or micromanagement).
• Driven individual with high energy levels,
  
• Practical and efficient disposition.
• Solution-oriented and agile.
• Deadline oriented.
  
• Detail oriented.
• Take pride in own work and quality output.
  
• Go beyond the minimum requirements attitude.
  
• Problem-solving with a proactive mindset (ability to apply one’s mind to the situation or problem and
  find solutions).
• Team player.
• Friendly and welcoming demeanour.
• Professional image.

4. Experience, Training, Knowledge and Required Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) or equivalent project management or governance-related qualification.
  (Irrespective of qualifications, must have relevant work experience for the position advertised).
  
• Company secretarial experience will be advantageous
  
• Admitted Attorney will be advantageous
  
• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience, preferably in a legal, company secretarial, governance or
  corporate advisory role.
  
• Proven experience in writing publications and drafting strategic content for directors or senior
  stakeholders.
  
• Proven research experience and legal interpretation experience.
  
• Legal acumen: Strong understanding of legal principles, corporate law, and regulatory frameworks.
  
• Business acumen: Ability to apply the law/corporate governance principles practically to business
  operations
  
• Knowledge of the Companies Act (2008) and King Reports on Corporate Governance would be
  advantageous.
  
• Management level experience: Project and business management experience.
  
• Risk Awareness: Skilled in identifying and mitigating reputational and legal risks in communications.
  
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams).
  
• Advanced organisational and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple assignments.
  
• Strong project management techniques and reporting skills within a corporate setting.
  
• Experience in the digital work environment (Zoom, MS Teams, online task-management tools, other
  etc.).
  
• Experience with creating, setting up and managing surveys using survey tools (such as Qualtrics)
  
• Ability to analytically review and interpret information and research data to ensure reports are correct
  and drafted in plain language for the intended audience.
  
• Experience with drafting monthly reports as well as budgeting and forecasting income and expenses.
  
• Ability to work with high volumes of data and translate it into meaningful information.

5. Working hours

• Office hours are between 09h00 to 16h00, however, as the role at management level, working hours may extend outside of these normal working hours depending work demands.
  
• The IoDSA operates on a hybrid working model, the individual will be required to be in the office for a minimum of 2 days a week, and/or as and when required.
  
• Own transportation is required.

If you are keen to apply for this role please email your CV to vacancies@iodsa.co.za.

Closing date for applications 14 November 2025, for shortlisting