Delivery Lead

Darwin Recruitment; Umhlanga Rocks; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Delivery Lead to support delivery, operations and people management in Umhlanga, SA. The role involves leading a growing team, coaching delivery staff, and providing hands-on support to US clients.

Reporting to the Delivery Manager (SA) and UK Director, you will drive performance through KPIs, solve delivery bottlenecks and ensure onsite collaboration 5 days a week in the Umhlanga office, with travel opportunities to the UK.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on delivery experience, ideally with EU/US customers.
• Experience in search or headhunting within STEM fields.
• 2+ years of proven management experience.
• Ability to solve problems and take accountability for providing solutions.
• Successful people management experience.
• Be able to work on-site 5 days per week in our office.
• Clear communicator, works well under pressure in performance-led environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and assist the Business Manager with L&D, operations and people management (team of 15 growing to 30).
• Provide delivery support to US customers directly.
• Provide operational management support to the Business Manager.
• Provide hands-on training and coaching to the delivery team.
• Drive performance through leadership by example and KPI-driven management.
• Find solutions to delivery bottlenecks with specific clients.

Skills

Delivery leadership

Team management

KPI management

Problem solving

Clear communication

On-site work

Job description

About the Company

Darwin Recruitment is a 100+ person recruitment and services business, with a 20+ year history of supporting customers across Europe and the US with finding top-talent across STEM markets. We have offices in the UK (Billericay, Leeds), Netherlands (Amsterdam) and South Africa (Umhlanga). Our client development happens from our UK and Netherlands office, whilst our delivery capability comes from our team in South Africa. We successfully established our delivery function in October 2025 and it has been highly successful, meaning we have scaled headcount quickly. Our structure consists of multiple teams, with each delivery consultant having a dedicated sales consultant they are partnered with, in the UK. To continue our growth, we are now looking for a Delivery Lead, to help provide delivery support, operational management and structure as we continue to scale. From inception in October, we have grown our Umhlanga office from 0 - 20 people and have a top-floor office space ready for up to 40 people by the end of 2026.

About the Role

Delivery Lead Reports to: Delivery Manager (South Africa) & Director (UK) Location: 5 days per week in our office in Umhlanga Working Hours: Blend of 09.30-18.30 & 1pm - 10pm

Responsibilities

• To lead and assist our Business Manager with L&D / Operational and people management (current team of 15 - growing to 30)


• Provide delivery support to our US customers directly


• Provide operational management support to Geoff (Business Manager)


• Provide hands-on training, coaching to existing delivery team


• Drive activities and performance through leading by example & management


• Find solutions to delivery bottlenecks with specific clients

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on delivery experience (ideally to EU/US customers)


• Experience in search / headhunting within STEM fields


• 2+ years of proven management experience


• Ability to solve problems and take accountability for providing solutions


• Successful people management experience


• Demonstrable ability to drive performance through KPI management


• Be able to work on-site 5 days per week in our office


• Clear communicator, works well under pressure and in performance-led environments

Required Skills

• 7+ years of hands-on delivery experience (ideally to EU/US customers)


• Experience in search / headhunting within STEM fields


• 2+ years of proven management experience


• Ability to solve problems and take accountability for providing solutions


• Successful people management experience


• Demonstrable ability to drive performance through KPI management


• Be able to work on-site 5 days per week in our office


• Clear communicator, works well under pressure and in performance-led environments

Preferred Skills

• Experience in search / headhunting within STEM fields


• Successful people management experience

Pay range and compensation package

Genuine career progression opportunities based on scale of business growth – progression opportunities to Delivery Manager and Delivery Director. Work with a reputable business that has a stable history of serving customers. Work with international colleagues – opportunity for travel to UK. Join a team and company that genuinely values culture and people.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity.