Freedom Park Head of Department: Heritage and Knowledge Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

Freedom Park is a significant heritage site and museum situated in Salvokop, Pretoria, dedicated to honouring all individuals who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom. Established as a cultural institution, it reports directly to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.

This re-advertised executive position is for a Head of Department: Heritage and Knowledge. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership, intellectual direction, and management across Freedom Park’s heritage, research, knowledge, education, and outreach programmes. The role is critical in advancing the institution's National Heritage mandate, preserving historical narratives, and promoting inclusive memory and identity.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, this role aims to strengthen programme impact, enhance knowledge production, and deepen stakeholder engagement. The Head of Department will lead the Heritage and Knowledge function through a vital phase of content development, research excellence, and strategic alignment with national priorities.

Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree (NQF Level 9), preferably in the Social/Human Sciences or a related field.
• Eight years’ senior management experience, preferably within the heritage, cultural, research, knowledge management, or broader public sector environment.
• Demonstrated capability in strategic leadership, programme oversight, project management, organisational performance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience managing complex programmes or functions with public accountability and delivering results in dynamic and evolving contexts.
• Strong leadership and strategic thinking ability, with the capacity to guide multidisciplinary teams, optimise resources, and foster a high-performance and innovative culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, intellectual direction, and management of Freedom Park’s heritage, research and knowledge, and education and outreach programmes.
• Ensure the advancement of Freedom Park’s National Heritage mandate, preservation of historical narratives, and promotion of inclusive memory and identity.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to strengthen programme impact, enhance knowledge production, and deepen stakeholder engagement.
• Lead the Heritage and Knowledge function through a phase of content development, research excellence, and strategic alignment with national priorities.

What the Work Involves

As the Head of Department for Heritage and Knowledge at Freedom Park, you will be based at the institution’s site in Salvokop, Pretoria. Your daily work will involve providing high-level strategic leadership and intellectual guidance for all heritage, research, knowledge, education, and outreach initiatives. You will be responsible for managing complex programmes, ensuring they align with national priorities and contribute to the institution's core mandate of preserving historical narratives and promoting memory and identity.

You will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, collaborating closely to enhance programme impact and stakeholder engagement. The role involves guiding multidisciplinary teams, optimising resources, and fostering an innovative culture within your function, all within the dynamic environment of a prominent national heritage site.

How to Apply

Interested South African applicants must submit a comprehensive application containing the following:

• A detailed and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) with three contactable referees.
• A cover letter outlining your suitability for the position.
• Certified copies of your Identity Document (ID) and academic qualifications. These certified copies must not be older than 3 months.

Submit your application via email to: hr@freedompark.co.za

The subject line of your email must clearly indicate the reference code: HOD2026

The closing date for applications is 30 September 2026.

Please note: This is a re-advertisement. Persons who applied in April and May 2026 need not apply. By applying, you consent to criminal record checks, qualifications verification, and other relevant pre-employment screening processes.