Chief Executive Officer

Pillangó Placements; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Pillangó Placements is partnering with a JSE-listed mining-services group to recruit a commercially strong, operationally hands-on Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer in Pretoria.

The role requires significant senior leadership experience within mining, P&L accountability, and a track record of delivering growth across markets. Fluency in English and Afrikaans is essential; other African languages are advantageous.

Qualifications

• Significant senior executive leadership experience in mining services or related industries.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-country organisations and integrations.
• Strong commercial acumen with P&L accountability and strategic growth focus.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to integrate and run a high-performance operation across markets.
• Drive sustainable growth, margin improvement and strong governance.
• Lead mergers or acquisitions and manage stakeholder expectations at board level.

Skills

Executive leadership

Mining industry experience

P&L leadership

Mergers & acquisitions

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiations

Education

Engineering degree

MBA

Job description

A JSE-listed mining-services group is bringing together key industry players and is looking for a commercially strong, operationally hands-on Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer to lead the next phase.

We know you're busy, so let's save you some time by being upfront about the non-negotiable screening criteria for this role.

Unfortunately, candidates who do not meet all of the requirements below will not be considered:

• Based in Pretoria — this is an on-site role (with occasional local and international travelling).
• At least 10 years' experience in an executive leadership role within the mining industry
• Fully fluent in English and Afrikaans (fluency in other African languages would be an advantage)

If you tick all the boxes, please read further, we'd be very happy to hear from you.

This is a substantial leadership mandate: integrate the businesses, create one high-performance operation and drive sustainable growth across multiple markets. The group serves blue-chip and mid-tier clients across mining, civil engineering and energy, supported by real-time data, digital reporting and advanced analytics.

The successful MD/CEO will need to be equally comfortable in the boardroom, on site and in front of major customers. Strong commercial judgement, operational discipline and the ability to bring people together after a merger will be critical.

A key summary of the role is outlined below. A more comprehensive job specification with full details is available after initial contact and a successful CV review.

Duties / Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Business Leadership
• Operational Performance
• Technology & Business Improvement
• People & Culture

Requirements

• Significant senior executive leadership experience, ideally as MD, CEO, COO or Divisional CEO.
• Strong exposure to mining services, mining contracting, engineering, infrastructure, industrial services or a similar project-driven environment.
• Proven P&L and operational leadership across a complex or multi-country business.
• Experience leading acquisitions, mergers, integration or major organisational transformation.
• Strong commercial background covering large contracts, tenders, pricing and customer negotiations.
• Exposure to African and international operating environments.
• Sound understanding of listed-company governance, risk and stakeholder expectations.
• Comfortable using operational technology, ERP systems, analytics and data to improve performance.
• Strong track record of profitable growth, operational improvement and building effective leadership teams.

Education

Relevant degree in Engineering, Commerce, Finance, Business or a related discipline.

MBA, postgraduate business qualification or relevant mining/engineering qualification.

Soft Skills

Commercially sharp, decisive and highly accountable. Strong communicator who can influence Boards, customers and operational teams. Calm under pressure, comfortable with complexity and able to lead significant change without losing focus on day-to-day execution. A practical leader who builds trust, sets clear standards and gets people moving in the same direction.