Client Project Manager - Sales & Account Growth - SA

Optimal Group; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 290,000 - 379,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal Group is seeking a commercially driven Client Project Manager to win new clients, manage ongoing accounts and lead delivery in property maintenance and refurbishment. This role is remote with UK hours, focusing on building long-term relationships and profitable projects.

You will leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline quotes, proposals and client updates while coordinating engineers and suppliers to deliver on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• At least two years' experience in property maintenance, refurbishment or related trade services.
• Proven track record of winning work and growing client accounts.
• Strong sales and relationship-building skills with confidence to pursue new clients.
• Ability to coordinate quotes, suppliers and invoicing to deliver profitable projects.

Responsibilities

• Win new clients through outbound sales, referrals and networking.
• Convert inquiries into booked work with responsive proposals.
• Build strong client relationships and become the trusted contact.
• Prepare quotes with clear scope, pricing and exclusions.
• Negotiate terms with suppliers while protecting margins.
• Coordinate engineers, subcontractors and materials for delivery.
• Use AI tools to improve productivity and client communications.
• Ensure timely invoicing and payment collection.

Skills

Sales

Client relationships

Negotiation

Account growth

Project delivery

Tools

ChatGPT

Job description

Job Details

JOB ROLE: Client Project Manager LOCATION: Remote HOURS: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm (UK hours) SALARY: 26,000-34,000 ZAR per month + Bonus based on performance

About the role

We're looking for a commercially driven Client Project Manager who can win new clients, turn enquiries into confirmed work and grow long-term client relationships within property maintenance and refurbishment. You’ll take ownership of your client portfolio-from identifying opportunities and preparing competitive quotes to negotiating with suppliers and subcontractors, overseeing delivery and ensuring payment. Success means winning profitable work, delivering on your promises and giving clients reasons to come back. We’re building our own system with AI and automations to reduce routine administration and help our team work more effectively. This will give you more time to focus on sales, client relationships and commercial decisions. We want someone who already uses tools such as ChatGPT, actively explores new AI capabilities and is keen to help improve how we work. You’ll also bring practical trade knowledge and a commitment to keep learning about property maintenance and refurbishment.

Key responsibilities

Win work and grow client accounts

• Proactively identify and win new clients through outbound sales, referrals and networking.
• Convert inbound enquiries into booked work through responsive communication, persuasive proposals and consistent follow-up.
• Build strong client relationships, understand their properties and priorities, and become their trusted point of contact.
• Generate new quote opportunities by identifying maintenance and refurbishment needs within existing accounts.
• Follow up confidently, handle objections and move opportunities towards a decision.
• Take ownership of your sales pipeline, quote conversion and client revenue growth.

Build competitive, profitable quotes

• Understand client requirements and coordinate engineers, subcontractors or suppliers for surveys and specialist input where needed.
• Prepare clear, itemised quotes with accurate scope, pricing and exclusions.
• Negotiate competitive prices, availability and terms with suppliers and subcontractors while maintaining quality and protecting profit margins.
• Develop a reliable supply chain and build relationships that support competitive pricing and dependable delivery.
• Use your trade knowledge to challenge costs, identify gaps and propose practical solutions.
• Seek technical advice where needed before committing to a scope or price.

Own the client experience and project delivery

Act as the client's main point of contact throughout the job lifecycle. Coordinate engineers, subcontractors, materials and access so work runs smoothly. Ensure work is allocated to the right trade, location and availability. Provide clear work instructions and keep clients informed of progress. Resolve issues proactively and escal… Verify completed work through photos, client feedback and completion checks. Agree changes to scope and additional costs before extra work proceeds.

Manage invoicing, profitability and payments

Ensure jobs are invoiced within 24 hours of completion. Follow up on outstanding payments and resolve billing queries promptly. Monitor project profitability and identify where costs or scope changes affect margins. Take responsibility for commercial outcomes, from the initial enquiry through to payment.

Use AI and automation to improve productivity

Use tools such as ChatGPT to support quote drafting, client communication, meeting preparation and sales follow-up. Check AI-generated outputs for accuracy, particularly technical scope, costs and commitments to clients. Learn and adopt our own system as its AI and automation capabilities develop. Identify opportunities to reduce repetitive work and improve speed, accuracy and the client experience. Keep client, opportunity and job records accurate, and use approved tools responsibly.

Keep developing your trade knowledge

Continually build your understanding of maintenance and refurbishment trades, materials, labour requirements and pricing. Learn from engineers, suppliers and completed projects to improve future quotes and decisions. Ask practical questions, recognise gaps in your knowledge and seek specialist input when needed.

How we measure success

• New clients won and quote opportunities generated.
• Revenue and gross profit growth.
• Quote conversion rates and turnaround times.
• Repeat business and client retention.
• Jobs booked and quality of project delivery.
• Timely invoicing and payment collection.

Requirements

At least two years' experience in property maintenance, refurbishment or a closely related trade services business.

A track record of winning work, converting quotes or growing client accounts.

Strong sales and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to approach new clients and develop repeat business.

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