Commercial Civils Lead

WSP; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 60 000 - 90 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in South Africa seeks a Civil Engineering professional with over 10 years of experience in the Civils and Infrastructure sector. The role involves leading the Commercial Civils discipline, driving strategic business development in commercial property, and ensuring high-quality project outcomes. Candidates should possess a relevant degree in Civil Engineering, strong leadership skills, and a proven record of delivering complex infrastructure projects. This position offers opportunities for mentorship and team development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of practical experience in Civils and Infrastructure discipline.
• Proven track record of delivering complex civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of construction phases of property development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations of the Commercial Civils discipline.
• Drive business development by identifying new opportunities in commercial property.
• Ensure compliance with SHEQ standards and improve administrative processes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Business development

Strategic oversight

Technical knowledge in civil infrastructure

Education

BSc, BEng, or BTech in Civil Engineering

Professional Registration (Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng)

Job description

Job Description

The Company:

WSP is one of the most diverse consulting firms in Africa. To further our strategic business expansion plan, we are seeking new 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 Role:

This position involves professional input to a range of projects including large multidisciplinary projects. Duties include leading the functional group’s aspects of WSP projects to ensure that these are technically sound. Provide specialist professional services to clients of the functional group. This includes bidding for work, participation in multidisciplinary design/project teams and management of projects. Take stewardship of special group wide tasks assigned

Responsibilities

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 and Safety

• Role model standards for SHEQ performance and behaviour consistent with the company’s health, safety, environmental and quality vision, and policies by influencing those around you
• Contributing to the identification of SHEQ risks and driving processes to achieve Zero Harm
• Embracing, displaying, and promoting the company values and ensuring a safe working environment is maintained at all times

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Minimum Qualification: BSc, BEng, or BTech in Civil Engineering.
• Professional Registration: Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng with ECSA is an added advantage.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years’ practical experience in the Civils and Infrastructure discipline, with a strong emphasis on commercial and transport-related projects (e.g., Bulk earthworks, Stormwater, Sewer and water reticulation for Commercial 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 recognized 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.