Appliances Division Growth & Strategy Leader

Ultra Personnel; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 2,400,000 - 4,800,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Strategic Growth Lead: Planning & Advisory to advance the Planning & Advisory business across Africa, focusing on environmental and social advisory services for major projects, especially in mining.

You will build strategic client relationships, lead major opportunities, and ensure delivery quality across complex assignments in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Qualifications

• Honours Degree or higher qualification in Environmental, Social, or a related discipline.
• EAPASA Registration (mandatory).
• Minimum of 20 years' experience as an environmental and/or social specialist within consulting.
• Extensive experience leading and delivering local and international ESIA/ESDD assignments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and related advisory services.
• Drive business development activities for planning & advisory in Africa.
• Develop and maintain strategic client relationships at executive level.
• Mentor and develop team members and promote knowledge sharing.
• Ensure projects meet international lender standards and industry best practice.

Skills

Business development

Project leadership

IFC standards

Communications

Education

Honours degree in Environmental/Social

Job description

Strategic Growth Lead: Planning and Advisory

• **About WSP**
  WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and professional services consulting firms. In Africa, we are recognised for our technical excellence, innovation, and commitment to delivering sustainable solutions across a diverse range of sectors.
  **Our guiding principles define who we are and how we work:**
  We value our people and our reputation.
  We are locally dedicated with international scale.
  We are future-focused and challenge the status quo.
  We foster collaboration in everything we do.
  We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable.
  We are committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment.
  **The Opportunity**
  WSP is seeking an accomplished **Strategic Growth Lead: Planning and Advisory** to join our Planning & Advisory team. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a highly respected environmental and social specialist with a proven ability to secure, lead, and deliver major projects across Africa.
  The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in growing the Planning & Advisory business, developing strategic client relationships, and leading the delivery of complex environmental and social advisory assignments, particularly within the mining sector.
  This role is ideally suited to a commercially-minded professional who combines strong business development capability with deep technical expertise and extensive project leadership experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.

**Key Responsibilities**

• Business Leadership & Growth:
  • Drive business development activities for the Planning & Advisory business unit.
  • Identify, secure, and lead significant project opportunities across Africa.
  • Develop and maintain strategic client and account relationships.
  • Lead proposal development, bidding activities, and client presentations.
  • Contribute to and drive the annual business strategy for the Africa Planning & Advisory team.
  • Support wider business growth initiatives across WSP's Earth & Environment division.
• Technical Excellence & Project Delivery:
  • Lead the technical delivery of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) studies, and related advisory services.
  • Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across projects.
  • Support multidisciplinary project delivery alongside biodiversity, water resources, waste management, mine closure, and related specialist teams.
  • Ensure projects meet international lender standards and industry best practice requirements.
  • Maintain professional registration and uphold technical excellence standards.
• Leadership & Collaboration:
  • Collaborate closely with technical leaders across the Earth & Environment division.
  • Mentor, coach, and develop team members.
  • Promote collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across teams.
  • Contribute to broader WSP policies and strategic initiatives.
• Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (SHEQ):
  • Champion WSP's commitment to Zero Harm.
  • Act as a role model for SHEQ performance and behaviours.
  • Identify and manage SHEQ risks within projects and operations.
  • Promote and maintain a safe, healthy, and sustainable working environment.
  • Demonstrate and uphold WSP's values at all times.

**Qualifications & Experience**

• Essential Requirements:
  • Honours Degree or higher qualification in Environmental, Social, or a related discipline.
  • Research-based postgraduate qualification advantageous.
  • EAPASA Registration (mandatory).
  • Minimum of 20 years' experience as an environmental and/or social specialist within consulting.
  • Extensive experience leading and delivering local and international (Africa) ESIA and/or ESDD assignments.
  • Demonstrated success in business development, client engagement, and project leadership.
  • Experience working across Sub-Saharan Africa, with willingness and ability to travel.
• Industry Experience:
  • Strong project experience in one or more of the following sectors: Mining, Conventional Power Generation, Renewable Energy, Power Transmission, Road Infrastructure, Rail Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Industrial Manufacturing.
• Key Competencies:
  • Strategic business development and market growth expertise.
  • Strong project leadership and technical excellence.
  • Deep understanding and application of IFC Performance Standards and lender requirements.
  • Excellent report writing and communication skills in English.
  • Advanced project and programme management capabilities.
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen.
  • Ability to build trusted client relationships at executive level.
  • Broad knowledge of environmental and social disciplines.
  • Effective mentorship, leadership, and team development skills.

**Key Requirement for Success**

• A strong track record in business development and project leadership.
• Significant project experience in the mining sector.
• The ability to secure, lead, and successfully deliver complex projects across Africa.
• A passion for growing teams, developing client relationships, and shaping the future of environmental and social advisory services.

**Why Join WSP?**

• At WSP, you will be part of a global team of experts working on some of Africa's most significant infrastructure, energy, mining, and development projects.
• Opportunity to influence strategy, drive growth, mentor future leaders, and contribute to sustainable solutions.
• Imagine a better future for us all and a better future for you.