Digital Solutions Governance Manager

Aecom; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 367 000 - 1 710 000; Full time

Job summary

A global infrastructure firm in Johannesburg seeks a Digital Solutions Governance Manager. This mid-senior role involves leading a team, overseeing governance frameworks, and ensuring compliance. Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of experience in governance or related fields. The position offers a hybrid work schedule, fostering collaboration while ensuring strategic alignment and efficient resource management.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work options

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• 8 years of progressive experience in governance, operations, finance, or IT management.
• 2 years in a leadership role with direct reports.
• Proven experience developing governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and performance management to direct reports.
• Oversee departmental budgets and monitor alignment.
• Lead software license management and compliance efforts.

Skills

Strategic Thinking & Planning

Leadership & Team Development

Stakeholder Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Financial Acumen

Risk Management

Analytical & Data-Driven Decision-Making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, IT, or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) software

Portfolio management tools

Job description

Company Description

AECOM Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50, planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world. We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with three days per week required in the office and the remaining days available for remote work.

We have offices in Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban.

The Digital Solutions Governance Manager leads a small team responsible for key governance pillars, facilitates critical cross-functional collaboration, and serves as the primary liaison between business lines and a central Governance Council. This role ensures strategic alignment, optimizes resource utilization, manages risk, and promotes transparency and accountability across various business functions.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Management (3 Direct Reports) – Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management to direct reports, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing team environment.

Ensure clear communication of goals, expectations, and priorities within the team.

Budget & Planning Analyst – Oversee development, monitoring, and reporting of departmental and project budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and financial prudence.

Guide analysis of spending patterns, identifying opportunities for cost optimization and efficiency.

Approve budget proposals and provide financial insights to the Governance Council.

Software Rationalization Specialist – Direct ongoing inventory, assessment, and optimization of the organization's software application portfolio.

Guide efforts to identify redundancies, consolidate applications, and recommend retirement or replacement strategies to reduce costs and complexity.

Oversee development of roadmaps for application modernization and simplification.

License Management & Analytics Specialist – Lead management of all software and service licenses, ensuring compliance with vendor agreements and optimizing license utilization.

Guide collection and analysis of license data to identify cost savings opportunities and mitigate compliance risks.

Oversee implementation and management of license management tools and processes.

Governance Framework & Policy – Develop, implement, and continuously improve governance policies, procedures, and frameworks.

Ensure governance practices align with industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and strategic goals.

Maintain documentation for all governance processes and decisions.

Business Line Coordination & Facilitation – Serve as primary liaison between central governance function and regional business lines.

Proactively engage stakeholders to understand needs, challenges, and initiatives requiring governance oversight.

Facilitate workshops and working groups to drive governance initiatives and resolve cross‑functional issues.

Communicate governance policies, changes, and decisions effectively to business lines.

Governance Council Management – Facilitate and coordinate meetings of the Governance Council, composed of regional business leaders.

Develop and distribute agendas, materials, and minutes, ensuring timely communication.

Drive discussions, encourage participation, and synthesize perspectives to enable effective decision-making.

Track and report action items, decisions, and outcomes from council meetings.

Prepare and present governance reports, metrics, and recommendations.

Risk Management & Compliance – Identify, assess, and monitor governance‑related risks across the organization.

Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, and Audit to ensure adherence to internal policies and external regulations.

Implement risk mitigation strategies and controls within the governance framework.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements – Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Project Management, or a related field.

8 years of progressive experience in governance, operations, finance, or IT management, with at least 2 years in a leadership role with direct reports.

Proven experience developing and implementing governance frameworks and policies.

Strong understanding of budgeting, financial planning, software lifecycle management, and license management principles.

Demonstrated ability to facilitate complex discussions and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership.

Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with keen attention to detail.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.

Skills – Strategic Thinking & Planning, Leadership & Team Development, Stakeholder Management, Cross‑functional Collaboration, Facilitation & Negotiation, Financial Acumen, Risk Management, Policy Development, Analytical & Data‑Driven Decision‑Making, Proficiency in governance tools and platforms (e.g., GRC software, portfolio management tools).

Preferred Requirements – Master's degree preferred.

Certification in relevant governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ITIL) or project management (e.g., PMP) is a plus.

Additional Information

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absence, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well‑being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private‑sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year.

Learn more at .

AECOM Commitment

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Job Details

ReqID : J Business Line : Geography OH Business Group : DCS Strategic Business Unit : Enterprise Capabilities Career Area : Digital & Engineering Technology Work Location Model : Hybrid Employment Type : Full‑time Seniority Level : Mid‑Senior level Job Function : Project Management and Information Technology Industries : Architecture and Planning, Civil Engineering, and Construction