At the Saldanha campus, Senior Faculty Administrator Nick Olivier brings a rare blend of military precision and problem-solving to a role that sits at the heart of coordination, strategy and execution. Shaped by nearly two decades in the South African National Defence Force, his work now spans international partnerships and digital development.

What does your role at SU entail?

My role at SU began with my appointment as a Senior Faculty Administrator, where I was tasked with addressing an operational gap within the Faculty of Military Science. My primary responsibility was to coordinate and manage operations, as well as to serve as a liaison for the academic programmes presented at the senior colleges of the South African National Defence Force.

Over time, my role has evolved into a broader, more integrated function within the faculty. In addition to my core administrative responsibilities, I have taken on functions related to internationalisation, marketing and human resources administration. More recently, I have led the development of the faculty’s website, overseeing both coordination and implementation.

What does a typical day at work look like?

My day begins with planning at around 07:30, before I arrive at the office at approximately 08:00. Mornings are dedicated to focused administrative work, including drafting documents, compiling reports, managing correspondence and coordinating operational requirements across the senior colleges and with international partners.

I generally schedule meetings in the afternoons, allowing me to prioritise high-concentration tasks earlier in the day. 

Overall, while the role includes a variety of ad hoc tasks, I maintain a structured approach to ensure productivity and effective time management.

How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this job?

Before joining SU in 2023, I spent nearly 18 years serving in the South African National Defence Force. That journey shaped a large part of who I am professionally.

I started in an operational role as a platoon commander for about eight years, where I developed strong leadership and decision-making skills under pressure. I then moved into training and administrative roles at the South African Combat Training Centre, followed by three years at the South African Military Academy, where I was involved in training future officers.

Throughout my career, I learned how to take an objective from the initial idea all the way through to implementation – planning logistics, coordinating teams and working with various stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcome. That process-oriented way of thinking has translated very naturally into my current role.

In many ways, my military background prepared me directly for the level of coordination, structure and adaptability that my role at the University requires today.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?

I enjoy the constant problem-solving and the dynamic nature of the position. It keeps me on my toes and challenges me to stay focused and accountable in everything I do.

I particularly value the opportunity to work at the intersection between strategic vision and operational execution. It has given me a level of insight and perspective that I had not experienced before, and I find that both stimulating and rewarding.

I also really appreciate the environment I work in. Being surrounded by high-performing individuals and top achievers pushes me to consistently bring my best. That level of challenge is something I genuinely enjoy and find motivating.

Tell us something about yourself that few people would expect.

People are often surprised to learn that while I am very logic-driven and thrive on structure and routine, I also have a strong creative side.

Outside of work, I really enjoy working with my hands and creating things with my children. Those moments of building, making and just being creative together are something I genuinely value.

It’s a different side of me that balances my professional life, and it reminds me that creativity and structure can work very well together.