Hi, I’m
Stephan Dalla Pria
Academic Manager
Johannesburg,GP
Summary
- Dynamic A+ training and higher education professional with over twelve years of comprehensive experience across the education value chain.
- Proven track record as a change agent, adept at developing academic teams and integrating quality assurance mechanisms, systems, and processes.
- Expertise in fostering effective organizational and team communications during periods of technological disruption and the adoption of quality frameworks.
- Dedicated champion of practitioner training, committed to driving impactful student experiences and enhancing academic operations.
Overview
12
years of professional experience
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
STADIO HIGHER EDUCATION
ACADEMIC MANAGER
04.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Managing team of +20 faculty members.
- Implementation of institution's business strategy.
- Quality assurance of institution's curricula delivery.
- Controlling and managing budgets and resources.
- Ensuring policy alignment (internal and external stakeholders).
- Coordinate and operationalize the effective and efficient roll-out of the institution's improvements plans.
- Industry networking and project management.
EMENDY INSTITUTE
DEAN OF COLLEGE
01.2022 - 03.2023
Job overview
- Occupied a senior role in executive academic decision-making.
- Lead the institution's business transformation (before acquisition).
- Managed a broad scope of academic leadership roles, including quality assurance, staff development, programme transformation, programme development, recruitment, budgeting & academic operations.
- Established collaborations with industry partners to provide students with real-world experiences and networking opportunities.
- Recruited, hired and trained academic faculty and staff members.
- Enhanced department performance by implementing innovative teaching strategies and curriculum development methods.
STADIO SCHOOL OF FASHION
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: COMMERCE
01.2019 - 10.2021
Job overview
- Designed new operating models for quality assurance processes around the delivery of teaching and learning (including increased hybrid learning and teaching using LMS).
- Completed the institution’s first official international accreditation with the British Accreditation Council in a shift towards internationalisation.
- Led a team of professionals to consistently achieve or exceed performance targets.
- Provided ongoing staff development opportunities through training programs, workshops, and regular feedback sessions.
BOSTON MEDIA HOUSE
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME MANAGER
07.2013 - 12.2018
Job overview
- Managed the entire education value chain and achieved a 90% pass rate on the BBA Media Operations Management programme.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Played a pivotal role in site visit and accreditation with South Africa's higher education regulator, the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
- Lead the development of the programme's module mix, quality assurance mechanisms, content development, and delivery.
Education
UNISA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS LEADERSHIP/ OPEN UNIVERSITY (UK)Johannesburg
MBA from Marketing Management And Research
01.2010 - 10.2013
University Overview
- Achieved 80% grade for final thesis/research project: “Exploring challenges around implementing a performance management system in an SME manufacturing company.”
- Completed University-level Coursework: Business Administration, Open University (UK)
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIAPretoria
Bachelor of Arts from VISUAL STUDIES
04.2001
Skills
Languages: English (professional fluency)/ Afrikaans (native)
Leading and managing
Problem-solving
Critical thinking
Decision-making
Organizational skills
Team collaboration
Networking and industry relationships
Employee training
Recruitment
Research
Learner Management and Productivity platforms
Instructional materials development
References
REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Interests
Additional Interests: Technology, diverse learning models, data analysis, online micro-learning courses, geek culture, weight training
Freelance/Other
- 2020 – 2023
GOETHE INSTITUT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME MENTOR
- 2022
RED & YELLOW CREATIVE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, CONTENT DEVELOPER – ‘THE METAVERSE’
- 2015 – 2019
EDGE EDUCATION REMOTE, FREELANCE PROGRAMME DEVELOPER & CONTENT DESIGNER
Software
MS Teams
Google Suite
Zoom
Canvas
Canva
Timeline
ACADEMIC MANAGER
STADIO HIGHER EDUCATION
04.2023 - Current
DEAN OF COLLEGE
EMENDY INSTITUTE
01.2022 - 03.2023
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: COMMERCE
STADIO SCHOOL OF FASHION
01.2019 - 10.2021
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME MANAGER
BOSTON MEDIA HOUSE
07.2013 - 12.2018
UNISA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS LEADERSHIP/ OPEN UNIVERSITY (UK)
MBA from Marketing Management And Research
01.2010 - 10.2013
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
Bachelor of Arts from VISUAL STUDIES
04.2001