Commercial Civils Lead

Wsp In Africa; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm seeks a Commercial Civils Lead to manage the Civil discipline, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience in civil infrastructure projects, particularly in the property sector. This role involves strategic oversight, business development, and fostering relationships with clients. A challenging and rewarding opportunity in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years practical experience in Civils and Infrastructure discipline.
• Proven track record of delivering complex civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong emphasis on commercial and transport-related projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations of the Commercial Civils discipline.
• Provide strategic oversight and project governance across all projects.
• Drive business development by identifying and securing opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Business development

Communication

Education

BSc, BEng or BTech in Civil Engineering

Professional registration: Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng with ECSA

Job description

Commercial Civils Lead

Join to apply for the Commercial Civils Lead role at WSP in Africa.

The role involves leading the functional group's aspects of WSP projects to ensure that they are technically sound and delivered on time and within budget.

Company

WSP is one of the most diverse consulting firms in Africa.

We seek employees who are loyal, committed, competent and proud to work for us.

We are committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Commercial Civils discipline within the Property & Buildings sector construction projects (e.g. bulk earthworks, platforms, roads, stormwater and utilities).

Provide strategic oversight and project governance across all discipline projects, ensuring delegated project leads deliver high-quality outcomes on time and within budget.

Drive business development by identifying, pursuing, and securing new opportunities in the commercial property and building markets (e.g. retail, mixed-use developments, industrial parks, commercial precincts).

Collaborate with the Deputy Sector Lead and Sector Lead to manage financial performance, including revenue growth, profitability and resource utilisation.

Develop and implement a forward-looking strategy for the Commercial Civils discipline to ensure sustainable growth, market relevance and alignment with WSP's strategic objectives in Africa.

Maintain and enhance technical excellence within the team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, developers, architects and industry stakeholders to position WSP as a trusted advisor in the commercial property space.

Monitor market trends and proactively adapt service offerings to meet evolving client and industry needs.

Oversee and influence discipline budgets, including Project Gross Margin (PGM), revenue targets and overheads.

Lead project reviews to ensure technical quality, client satisfaction and risk mitigation.

Support project teams in contract negotiations, risk assessments and subcontractor management.

Ensure compliance with WSP's administrative policies and procedures, and contribute to their continuous improvement.

Champion strategic alliances and partnerships that enhance WSP's market position in the commercial civils domain.

Provide leadership and mentorship to regional teams across South Africa, fostering a high-performance culture, talent development and staff retention.

Health & Safety

Role model standards for SHEQ performance and behaviour consistent with the company's health, safety, environmental and quality vision and policies.

Contribute to the identification of SHEQ risks and drive processes to achieve Zero Harm.

Embrace, display and promote the company values and ensure a safe working environment is maintained at all times.

Qualifications

Minimum qualification: BSc, BEng or BTech in Civil Engineering.

Professional registration: Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng with ECSA is an added advantage.

Minimum of 10 years practical experience in the Civils and Infrastructure discipline, with strong emphasis on commercial and transport-related projects.

Proven track record of delivering complex civil infrastructure projects related to the property and building sector, including bulk earthworks, platforms, roads, stormwater and utilities for commercial developments.

Deep understanding of the construction phases of property development lifecycle, including planning, design and approvals.

Well-established network and recognised reputation within the commercial property and building industry is an added advantage.

Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Competencies and Generic Skills

Commercial Acumen

Demonstrated success in delivering commercial civil engineering projects within the property and building sector.

Strong understanding of budget oversight, cost control and profitability tracking.

Proven ability to manage Project Gross Margin (PGM) and influence revenue and overhead performance.

Business Development

Strong track record in identifying and securing new business opportunities in the commercial property market.

Skilled in client engagement, proposal development and strategic positioning.

Ability to build long-term relationships with developers, architects and property stakeholders.

Strategic Oversight

Experience in developing and executing discipline-level growth strategies aligned with broader business unit goals.

Ability to anticipate industry trends and adapt service offerings accordingly.

Visionary thinking to position WSP as a leader in commercial civils within the property and buildings space.

Leadership & People Development

Proven ability to lead, inspire and develop multidisciplinary teams.

Strong focus on staff retention, succession planning and professional development.

Collaborative leadership style that fosters cohesion and high performance.

Technical Excellence

Deep technical knowledge in civil infrastructure for commercial developments (e.g. bulk earthworks, platforms, roads, stormwater, utilities).

Commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, innovation and compliance.

Ability to mentor and upskill team members to ensure technical growth.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Skilled in presenting complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Additional Information

Seniority level: Director Employment type: Full-time Job function: Management and Manufacturing Industries: Professional Services

Referral Program

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at WSP in Africa by 2x.