Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Senior Manager: South African Innovation Week Vacancy 2026 | Closing 10 August 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is seeking a dynamic individual for the role of Senior Manager: South African Innovation Week (SAIW). TIA is an organisation focused on supporting technology innovation that leads to socio-economic outcomes, and it actively promotes the careers of previously disadvantaged persons in line with the Employment Equity Act.

This is a 24-month fixed-term contract position based in Pretoria, Gauteng. The successful candidate will be instrumental in the end-to-end planning, coordination, mobilisation, implementation, and post-event reporting for the South African Innovation Week, a key innovation ecosystem event. The role involves developing and executing a national innovation platform that brings together various sectors, including government, industry, academia, investors, and entrepreneurs.

The Senior Manager will provide strategic leadership, manage stakeholders, develop programmes, mobilise sponsorships, oversee event operations, and coordinate communications. A primary goal for this role is to ensure the successful delivery of SAIW within a nine-month implementation period and support its establishment as a sustainable annual national innovation platform.

Minimum Requirements

• Qualification:
• Bachelor's Degree in Innovation Management, Business Management, Public Administration, Economic Development, Engineering, Science and Technology Management, or a related field.
• A Post-Graduate Degree in any of the above fields will be an added advantage.
• Work Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years managing large-scale national programmes, conferences, or strategic initiatives.
• Experience working within innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, research, or economic development ecosystems.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management experience.
• Proven partnership and sponsorship mobilisation experience.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary project teams.
• Budget management experience exceeding R10 million.
• 7–10 years of senior management experience.
• Experience within the National System of Innovation.
• Experience working with government entities and public sector governance environments will be an added advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the South African Innovation Week (SAIW) budget, financial plans, and cost frameworks.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure alignment with approved budgets.
• Implement financial controls and cost-management practices.
• Coordinate financial reporting, forecasting, and expenditure analysis.
• Monitor sponsorship income, partner contributions, and financial reconciliations.
• Ensure value-for-money principles across all event activities.
• Develop sponsorship strategies, value propositions, and partner engagement plans.
• Lead strategic engagement across the Quadruple Helix innovation ecosystem.
• Secure participation and commitment from key national and international stakeholders.
• Build and formalise partnerships with government and academia.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the TIA e-Recruitment portal.

• Visit the application portal: https://tia.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Login
• Search for the "Senior Manager: South African Innovation Week" vacancy using the reference number TIA260727-1.
• Follow the instructions on the portal to complete and submit your application.

The closing date for applications is 10 August 2026.