Head of School

Job Description To provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for RMA’s Integrated Disability Management function, encompassing rehabilitation, disability management and pensioner welfare management. The role is accountable for designing and delivering an integrated, person‑centred model that optimises recovery, return‑to‑work, long‑term disability management, and social protection, while ensuring regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and measurable organizational and societal impact. The outcomes of integrated disability management will contribute positive social impact in both the Social Insurance and Social Assistance pillars of South Africa’s social security frameworks. WHAT WILL YOU DO? Strategic Leadership Define and execute an Integrated Disability Management strategy aligned with the COID Act, Compensation Fund license requirements and RMA’s Corporate and Social Insurance strategies. Integrate rehabilitation, disability management and pensioner welfare management into a cohesive, end-to-end service delivery model. Anticipate legislative, healthcare, demographic, and labour market trends and proactively adapt the Integrated Disability Management strategy. Rehabilitation and Disability Management Provide executive oversight of clinical, vocational, and functional rehabilitation programmes. Drive early intervention, return-to-work, and sustainable employability initiatives. Ensure evidence-based practices to minimize long-term disability and dependency. Pursue RTW outcomes applying the dignified management of permanent disabilities. Pensioner Welfare Management Lead the design and implementation of pensioner welfare management frameworks. Formulate strategies to improve the livelihoods of pensioners and enhance their health benefits Oversee social assistance interventions aimed at improving quality of life and social inclusion for beneficiaries. Ensure ethical, equitable, and sustainable delivery of pensioner and social support services. Operational Excellence and Service Delivery Establish and optimize IDM operating models, policies, and performance frameworks. Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across all IDM sub-functions. Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and digitization within IDM processes. People Leadership and Capability Development Lead, mentor, and develop multi-disciplinary teams across clinical, welfare, and operational domains. Build organizational capability in rehabilitation, disability management and pensioner welfare management Foster a high-performance, values-driven culture with strong succession planning. Stakeholder Influence and Partnerships Build and maintain strategic relationships with healthcare providers, employers, pensioner bodies, regulators, and government stakeholders. Develop partnerships that will accelerate reach and access of RMA Social Insurance programs Influence internal stakeholders (Claims, Actuarial, Finance, Operations, IT) to align IDM outcomes with enterprise objectives. Represent RMA in specialized industry and regulatory social insurance forums. Governance, Risk and Compliance Ensure full compliance with COIDA, healthcare, social welfare, and governance requirements. Embed robust risk management, clinical governance, and ethical frameworks. Contribute to enterprise risk management through proactive identification and mitigation of disability and welfare risks. Job Requirements WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE TABLE? Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Medicine, Social Work, or related field. Postgraduate qualification (NQF Level 9) in Disability Management, Occupational Health, Public Health, Social Policy, or Business Management (MBA) preferred. Registration with a relevant professional council (where applicable). 10 – 12 years’ experience in disability management, rehabilitation, social insurance, pensioner welfare, or related fields. Minimum of 7 years in senior or executive leadership roles managing complex, multi-disciplinary teams. Proven experience within COID, workers’ compensation, social insurance, or public health systems. Demonstrated experience in large-scale programme design, transformation, and stakeholder management. Integrated Disability Management models and international best practices. COIDA and Insurance regulatory frameworks. Rehabilitation, disability management, and social assistance systems. Pensioner welfare management and social protection principles. Strategic and systems-level thinking. Executive people leadership and organizational development. Advanced stakeholder engagement and influencing capability. Financial, operational, and performance management. Strong ethical judgement and governance orientation. WHAT WILL YOU GET IN RETURN? We offer great opportunities for personal and professional development in a stable company that’s 131 years strong. The role comes with a competitive salary package and various benefits. Flexible work arrangements (combination of remote and in the office). Furthermore, you will be a part of a dedicated group of colleagues who value teamwork and collaboration. Turnaround time The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers. Kindly note that should you not receive a response within 21 days please consider your application unsuccessful. Our Commitment to transformation In accordance with the employment equity plan of Rand Mutual Assurance and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups. #J-18808-Ljbffr