The increase in complexity of the Tertiary Education landscape has increased the pressure to perform. This forces employees on all management levels within Tertiary Education institutions to be highly competent and efficient. Excellent academic leadership is needed from all levels of management to reach strategic goals and to build the local and international profile of the university. The objectives of this study are firstly to determine which competencies are needed by Heads of Departments / Directors of Schools at South African Universities, and secondly to develop a proposed competency profile for Heads of Departments / Directors of Schools in Tertiary Education institutions in South Africa. Research design - A quantitative research approach adopting an explorative design was used and the data was collected via convenience sampling by way of an online questionnaire. Heads of Departments and School Directors completed the questionnaire (n = 37). Data from the questionnaire was analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests and ANOVAs. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that respondents considered the most relevant competency to have is Integrity, which falls within the Ethic and Values subscale. Leadership / Management Competencies as well as competencies from the Enabling Competencies subscale were identified as the 41st most relevant competencies. Functional competencies (Quality Assurance) only score from the 42nd place on the ranking order list. In a theoretical domain this study will prepare the ground for future studies, specifically those for developing training and development modules that will help to address the competencies that are lacking. In a practical domain this study will help universities to appoint more qualified Heads of Departments / School Directors and therefore establish a stronger and more efficient management structure to help the university to achieve strategic objectives
