Contract Manager

Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Ltd in Johannesburg seeks a Contract Manager to lead the full lifecycle of mine infrastructure projects, delivering model projects with maximum profit, zero safety incidents, and uncompromising quality on schedule.

You will bridge regional offices and site teams, applying deep knowledge of civil mining contracts, FIDIC/NEC, and cost-to-complete forecasting to keep projects healthy and compliant.

Qualifications

• Total career: minimum 15 years in civil engineering with mining infrastructure experience.
• 5–7 years in contracts management or senior project management across multiple sites.
• Experience in DFI-funded mining civils and interfacing with clients and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to use CCS Candy and Buildsmart for project control.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning and timetable integrity across assigned projects.
• HSEQ governance focusing on safety and quality compliance.
• Contractual management and client interface across sites.

Skills

Strategic planning

Forecasting

Financial analytics

Contractual strategy

Project management

Mining infra experience

Education

B.Sc or B.Tech in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Pr.CPM (SACPCMP) or Pr.Eng (ECSA)

Construction Law certificate/diploma (FIDIC/NEC)

Tools

RIB CCS (Candy)

Buildsmart

Job description

The Contract Manager is the lead responsible for the total lifecycle and successful delivery of assigned construction projects. The primary objective is to ensure that every project under their jurisdiction is a "Model Project"- delivered with maximum Profit, zero Safety incidents, uncompromising Quality, and strictly according to the Timetable.

Operating primarily from a regional office but maintaining ultimate authority over site-based teams, the Contracts Manager bridges the gap between executive strategy and site-level execution. This role requires a master-level understanding of construction economics and project management. The incumbent must be able to "see through" site reports to identify the truth of project health, intervening decisively before risks become losses.

Candidates shall possess solid practical working experience in mine infrastructure civil works.

2. KEY JOB OUTPUTS AND ELEMENTS

• Output 1: Strategic Planning & Timetable Integrity
• Output 3: HSEQ Governance (Safety & Quality)
• Output 4: Contractual & Client Interface

3. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

Education

• * Primary Degree: B.Sc or B.Tech in Civil Engineering or Construction Management.
• * Professional Registration: Pr.CPM (SACPCMP) or Pr.Eng (ECSA) is highly preferred.
• * Legal Qualification: A certificate or diploma in Construction Law (FIDIC/NEC) is an advantage.

Experience

• * Total Career: Minimum of 15 years in the civil engineering industry, with abundant hands-on experience engaged in mining infrastructure construction throughout professional career.
• * Management Experience: At least 5–7 years specifically as a Contracts Manager or Senior Project Manager overseeing multiple sites, including mine civil construction projects.
• * Sector Context: Significant experience in DFI-funded infrastructure (Mining-related civils).
• * Software: Proven ability to manage projects using RIB CCS (Candy) and Buildsmart.

4. TECHNICAL SKILLS

• * Financial Analytics: Ability to perform "Forensic" reviews of project budgets and cost reports.
• * Forecasting: High-level ability to forecast "Cost to Complete" and "Final Margin" with accuracy.
• * Contractual Strategy: Expert knowledge of FIDIC and the ability to draft high-level contractual correspondence.
• * Technical Breadth: Knowledge across earthworks, concrete, and specialized infrastructure, covering various types of mine auxiliary civil construction works.